Steve McKinley Modded LMB-3

[jmeyers44]

Hey,
Has anyone tried the Steve McKinley modded LMB-3? I tried a search but had no luck. According to our email conversation Steve increases the headroom of the pedal as well as smooths out the artifact that happens when the compressor is engaged. Seems pretty cool but I'm looking for some third party input. Thanks.

 

[bongomania]

News to me... I'll go investigate.

 

[jmeyers44]

Thanks Bongo, I actually might have a result before you. I went ahead and bought one. Risky but I think it will work for me.

 

[Commreman]

So, did you get the pedal? If so, what are your thoughts/comments?

 

[jmeyers44]

I actually just got it today. After playing it for about a half hour I really like it a lot. Extremely quiet, very smooth. Unfortunatley I didn't have the LMB-3 before the mod so I can't give an A/B comparison. However I do have a Demeter Compulator and to my ear it feels as smooth. I am playing a Sadowsky to the LMB-3 to a Rolls PM 351 headphone amp to Shure SE535 triple driver headphones. I will say that I like the fact that when you turn the threshold counter clockwise it lowers the threshold rather than raises it. The Enhance knob is not for me personally and personally I don't think it's necessary since the pedal feels transparent. I will play it more this weekend and do a follow up but my initial impressions are positive.

Steve is a great guy to deal with. Was a very patient guy in answering my emails.

 

[Commreman]

Thanks. I'd love to hear what Bongo has to say about the modded pedal. I've used my standard LMB-3 for 20 years with very good results, so I wonder if the mod actually will make the pedal even better.

I'm not in the camp of keeping the enhance knob off. I have found that using it a little has a very good impact on my tone. Others disagree, and that's OK.

 

[quadrogong]

Very interesting
can someone find out exactly what parts he modded on it?
And what he claims the mod improves?
What's the cost to retrofit one?
Thnx!

 

[kringle77]

Any more info on this?

 

[bongomania]

Timely bump, as I am presently doing a major overhaul of my LMB-3 review, and I would be interested in A/B'ing stock and modded versions.

 

[matante]

 

[kringle77]

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f36/modded-lmb-3-compressor-889283/

I started a thread for this modded pedal. Steve got my pedal yesterday so, maybe I'll have it next week. Im pretty hopeful for this one. The LMB3 has been my favorite comp for bass for well over 10 years and has beaten out more comps than I care to admit.

 

[Commreman]

I have the Steve McKinley modded LMB-3. It is a GREAT pedal. I played the stock pedal for 20 years +/-, and rather than having that one modded, I bought a new pedal directly from him. The tone is FAT, and clean. No hiss from the enhance knob - it is actually useful. No clicking artifacts. Steve took an already good pedal and made it a very good pedal!