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The latest 3 from this addict! I quite like them all and each were relatively easy builds. The Fuzz Factory did take some fiddling before I got it under control and the SlapChop needs to have the gain cranked (or pushed w/ a booster) for the parametric eq/cocked-wah to sound blissful.

I think the only mod was subbing the FF's STAB pot with a 5KC. I may do the same with the SlapChop's Bandwidth pot as the part I like is mostly bunched up at the end of the 5KB pot's rotation.

SlapChop innards

Zombii innards (old ge trannys from caps n such)

Neutrino innards

I picked up a few 'low leakage' Ge trannys from caps n' such so I figured I'd make a Fuzz Factory. I slapped a vero build together and, although it mostly worked, it was a crappy build that was too quiet--all of the volume occurred in the last tiny rotation of the drive pot & the volume pot was pretty weak all around. Instead of wasting my time with another vero build I picked up a Zombii board from right here.

First off: very easy build. I socketed Q2 & 3 and used the same Ge trannys from the vero. The only difference from the vero build is I subbed a 5KC for the stab pot.

I tested the trannys on a crappy DMM (not for leakage) and I get high 80s for Q2 & ~115 for Q3. Should be good, no?

Well this FF is no longer quiet. It's the opposite of quiet. The volume pot is more than loud at around 10 o'clock and I don't have cables long enuf to get distance from the amp to peg the drive pot. The compression & gate function as they should but the stab has very little play before everything goes oscillation then silent (which should be normal but I expected more play with the pot).

I have no experience with Fuzz Factories so I ask: are they this f'ing loud? Is it supposed to make my BYOC tone bender look like a scared kitten?

The bandwidth pot for the slap chop (systech harmonic energizer) is listed at 5KB (linear). In my recently finished build (photos when I get some fancy knobs in), the interesting part of this pot is around 80 - 90% clockwise. Would a 5KC (reverse logarithmic) give me a greater range of sweet-spot-ness?

Did I hear Catalinbread was okay with the DIY community reverse engineering their pedals or did I just make that up? Anyways, this seems like a fun pedal with a unique name...

I know, I know--pooping where you eat. But you're obviously skilled in the art so what are your thoughts on a step-by-step with parts/chemicals needed?

At the very least, we'll gain an appreciation for all the tedious drilling you do (in your new TN shop!)...

Got a MM board from brian some months ago off the BYOC forum and finally got the beast wired up. Once I realized nothing worked due to unpopulated IC sockets (...) it came to life. Mostly.

The bypass/boost works (lots of boost on tap), the delay works as does the chorus modulation but the tremolo is so faint I can only hear it when certain knobs are maxed out. The chorus modulation is far more pronounced than the tremolo but not as severe as I've heard on demos.

I do *not* have the recommended opamp but have tried a 4558, tl072, tl082 & a burr brown opa-whatever. The '82 & 4558 seemed to make the tremolo a tad more pronounced. Any thoughts? I'll be ordering some NE5532 opamps some day and see what changes that brings.

The 4 knobs & stomp on the left are trem. Middle 3 knobs, toggle & middle stomp is delay. Left most knob is gain and left stomp is bypass. The LED under the gain is the modulation blinker. Housed in a box like EHX uses for the cathedral and so on.

Getting a bit of clock noise from my dig dug in bypass mode. I've re-routed the +9v wire but to no better effect. I've heard in the past shielded wire can help but where? Input, PCB-In, PCB-Out or Output? Any thoughts? Thanks!

Maybe an inventory snafu or fastest selling PCB ever?

Hey, all. Thinking of tackling the aquaboy and I'm fishing for opinions on the uber-mojo MN3005 vs. other (MN3205, v3205) options. Is it worth the time & $$ to track down a 3005 or is it just bragging rights on a few pedal forums?

The legendary preamp of an echoplex delay. I really like this little booster--she adds just the right amount of sparkle that's useable with clean & dirty tones. I do not like my hand lettering and should have left well enuf alone. This is a super easy build that makes a very useful pedal.

Got this from Brian awhile back from the BYOC 'for sale' forum. Rev 2 board. The 3-band EQ really makes this pedal shine. With a little foresight leading to better placement of the pots and/or LED I probably could have squeezed a battery in there but as it happened the battery was too close to the board & components so I 86'd it.

This much distortion HAD to be painted black and does anyone recognize the knobs? Finally found a fit for them!

Okay. My schematic reading skills peak around following the line from left to right so I'm wondering if anyone can tell me if the following is correct or wishful thinking...

The 4/8/6 switch is an spdt center off switch. In the center (off) position the switch is doing nothing allowing all 8 stages to occur. When switched to the '4' position, the switch grounds/cancels stage 5 (and ostensibly 6, 7, & 8 ) leaving you with 4 stages. When switched to the '6' position, stage 7 (& 8 ) is grounded/cancelled leaving you with 6 stages.

That makes sense to me but am I making it up?

Still need to pop an IC in this beast to confirm functionality but I made it fit into a Small Bear 125B case w/ top mounted jacks. The footswitches are both a tad close to the speed & filter pots but such is life.

I can (almost) hear zappa's Ship Ahoy...

I gotta say, that makes me grin every time I think about it. Any spoilers on this 'secret project' distortion box? Looking forward to news on this once you've settled down from the move.