Stoner/Doom Bassists Thread, Part 90: Maxed Out

[br1qbat]

I imagine it becomes really cheap when you start buying the components, not in kits...

Definitely. Buying boards and sourcing components yourself adds more work but cuts cost down. My experience with kits is in synths, but for example:
A prebuilt module might run $150, the kit is $90, buying the faceplate and board but sourcing parts (via mouser or the like) might cost $40 total (and $25 of that was the plate and board). If one got fancy and handwired it on protoboard and diy'd the faceplate, the cost could be as low as $10-$15.

 

[rutrho]

Definitely. Buying boards and sourcing components yourself adds more work but cuts cost down. My experience with kits is in synths, but for example:
A prebuilt module might run $150, the kit is $90, buying the faceplate and board but sourcing parts (via mouser or the like) might cost $40 total (and $25 of that was the plate and board). If one got fancy and handwired it on protoboard and diy'd the faceplate, the cost could be as low as $10-$15.

yep! I have a pretty extensive back stock of parts from building a few synth kits and generally messing around with this stuff for a living, so if I want to do a true clone I can get a board and generally have it soldered up within an hour with stuff I have on hand. If I have to get extra parts it might take a bit longer if I set up a digikey order or manage to toss mystuff in on a order for work.

Super glad to see a few other people getting more curious and doing some of that DIY pedal stuff. There are a ton of schematics out there and if you are handy with a soldering iron and breadboard there is a lot you can make/do/fix/clone/mod!

 

[kleinenenten]

After I get my Swede working.. I think I'm going to try out Graviton Metal Distortion Kit - Boss HM-2 Clone - Aion FX Aion seems to have some really slick kits

Contemplating that too. Let me know what you think. And which build was easier! Never made one, but these kits seem like fun.

 

[Kriegs]

Contemplating that too. Let me know what you think. And which build was easier! Never made one, but these kits seem like fun.

Will do!

 

[br1qbat]

yep! I have a pretty extensive back stock of parts from building a few synth kits and generally messing around with this stuff for a living, so if I want to do a true clone I can get a board and generally have it soldered up within an hour with stuff I have on hand. If I have to get extra parts it might take a bit longer if I set up a digikey order or manage to toss mystuff in on a order for work.

Super glad to see a few other people getting more curious and doing some of that DIY pedal stuff. There are a ton of schematics out there and if you are handy with a soldering iron and breadboard there is a lot you can make/do/fix/clone/mod!

Plus, just to add in for the diy newbies, most components are cheap cheap. Caps and resistors can be literally a penny each, diodes cheap as a nickel each. When I was actively building kits, I'd order extra - most times for the cheap parts there'd be a minimum quantity you'd have to order anyway. After a few kits, you have a stockpile of parts, and may only need to order a few rarer parts.

 

[oZZma]

I completed the Bass Fuzz and it works!!! YAY!
Well, almost works... the led doesn't light up and there must be some faulty soldering because when I put it in the enclosure or I move a jack the sound stops... Tomorrow I'll do some troubleshooting but having it working at the first attempt is really encouraging!! I had to de-solder some parts and do them again and I was even afraid that I burned the diode (I did a total MESS on it and a mess in general with wiring...)
I also want to see if I can cut away the battery part, because it adds mess to the mess. I don't know why I was so stupid to order the battery version.

 

[Mordamir]

Well now I want to buy a DIY pedal so I can get in on the fun too. I should really buy a pickup for my Spector first though. That metal man Z I bought was going to be a donor but I wound up liking it too much.

 

[oZZma]

Anyways I would have never guessed that soldering was such a PITA without a third hand. monday I'll buy one

 

[rutrho]

Plus, just to add in for the diy newbies, most components are cheap cheap. Caps and resistors can be literally a penny each, diodes cheap as a nickel each. When I was actively building kits, I'd order extra - most times for the cheap parts there'd be a minimum quantity you'd have to order anyway. After a few kits, you have a stockpile of parts, and may only need to order a few rarer parts.

Yep! I tend to order caps/diodes/resistors/transistors in qtys of 25 or 50. Keeping all of those extra parts organized is key to rapid assembly and prototyping.

 

[kleinenenten]

Multi-part question for you dudes. The goal is a sweet filter.

1. I love the DOD FX25B’s tone. I hate the “extremes” that it takes that can cause such high and low spikes. Makes it very harsh at volume.

2. The best filters I use on my main rigs are the MXR BEF and the Proton. Their tones are great and they don’t have the problems of the DOD, but I still prefer the DOD overall for tone.

3. What are the characteristics of each of these filters? I know of terms like bandpass and some others about filters, but not what they actually mean. What are the characteristics I enjoy about these?

4. Would an existing envelope filter fit my “ideal” characteristics? I’m debating getting a Source Audio again for its sheer amount of customizability.

Thanks.

 

[thombo]

@kleinenenten, I have not used any of these filters. That said, I wonder if running a compressor before the DOD might minimize the spikes at the extremes.

Also, maybe the DOD FX25 (non B) would better suit your needs. I was a Bill Laswell geek for few years and he used the DOD FX25. I never got to play one because they were expensive and kind of rare compared to to the FX25B. I know at the time, the FX25 was regarded as being a far better pedal.

 

[kleinenenten]

@kleinenenten, I have not used any of these filters. That said, I wonder if running a compressor before the DOD might minimize the spikes at the extremes.

Also, maybe the DOD FX25 (non B) would better suit your needs. I was a Bill Laswell geek for few years and he used the DOD FX25. I never got to play one because they were expensive and kind of rare compared to to the FX25B. I know at the time, the FX25 was regarded as being a far better pedal.

I’ve tried both, but preferred the 25B. The 25 seemed even worse for that in my experience, likely due to lack of blend. I do run a comp in the beginning of the chain at all times, but not for anything heavy compression. I like my current filters and all, but a,ways a what-if, you know?

 

[gfen]

compress after filter. the filter wants dynamics to activate, the compressor will squash the thundering bits down.

 

[kleinenenten]

compress after filter. the filter wants dynamics to activate, the compressor will squash the thundering bits down.

Need to try that one. Just haven’t yet!

 

[themarshall]

Whelp, back in the day - 1990’s - the DOD FX25 was ubiquitous and cheap. They’re spikey. Had a guitar player who loved Jerry Garcia, his Peavey Session 400 and DiMarzio Super Distortions try to take my head off with his nightly. I never liked them too much. I gave mine to a buddy, along with my GEB7.

 

[thombo]

compress after filter. the filter wants dynamics to activate, the compressor will squash the thundering bits down.

I usually agree. In this specific case, my thought was that the compressor might limit the extremes that are causing the spikes. As @kleinenenten said, an eq pedal might do the trick too.

 

[kleinenenten]

I usually agree. In this specific case, my thought was that the compressor might limit the extremes that are causing the spikes. As @kleinenenten said, an eq pedal might do the trick too.

I like filter after dirt, though, so we’ll see if it makes my dirt too squished. Currently, I use light compression, more for adding in a bit of highs and slight sustain. We’ll see.

 

[Jolagh]

I like filter after dirt, though, so we’ll see if it makes my dirt too squished. Currently, I use light compression, more for adding in a bit of highs and slight sustain. We’ll see.

Just to put it out there the 3 leaf audio gr2 is the bezt envelope filter that ive ever played.

 

[themarshall]

I like filter after dirt, though, so we’ll see if it makes my dirt too squished. Currently, I use light compression, more for adding in a bit of highs and slight sustain. We’ll see.

With a peaky filter, I think a lot of folks would use a compressor in more of a limiting function than fattening or sustain. One of the things that makes talking about compression weird. Some folks want it for utility and others for tone.

 

[kleinenenten]

With a peaky filter, I think a lot of folks would use a compressor in more of a limiting function than fattening or sustain. One of the things that makes talking about compression weird. Some folks want it for utility and others for tone.

Right. It’s not that I dislike my current filters, just that I LOVE the tone of the FX25B. Nearly everything I’ve tried with it though comes to adding more to the chain to tame it in a live situation. Trying to avoid that. Likely just going to keep my current filters, as I don’t have the $ to throw around.