Messages

In response to the comments (much appreciated.)

Can attest to the physical impact hand-making large quantities of PCBs has on the body. I used a mask most all the time and still had some issues with dust, etc. The biggest impact for me was actually drilling...it does a serious number on the body when you drill boards many, many hours of the week. I remember clearly at the time I decided to go to manufactured boards I thought - I wonder how much longer until Barry does the same - because I could tell it was deteriorating my own health.

Glad to see you around here Barry, and I'm very sorry to hear about your health concerns. I hope that will turn around on you. The body can heal itself pretty well when given the chance so I hope that comes to pass for you as well.

Thanks Brian and I truly appreciate the empathy. It took me 2 years and a lot of doctors to have this properly diagnosed.
Right now the only treatment is pain medication and I have opted for a healthy eating regime in hopes the body will heal itself.

It is nice to know that someone has had a similar experience. I feel very alone sometimes with all this pain.

Thanks,
Barry

That is great, especially considering their ages. I watched it for a second early and thought your daughter was playing to the record, didn't see the drums going in the background.

That was an excellent compliment ("you thought she was playing to a record") so thanks on behalf of the kids!
My son now turning 15 in 1 month is like Dad can I actually get in the videos now? LOL...

Off topic (sorry) but my daughter recently discovered Randy Rhoads.
This was on her 16th Birthday:

Yes I accidentally reversed the video but that is not the point.   

I am done showing off my kids and stepping off the soapbox. Thanks!

Can I get an "heck yah" for my two young ones 13 and 14 doing a nice segment of Pink Floyd in the video posted earlier in the thread?
Considering what most average kids love to do these days, as well as the music scene I think that deserves a proper "Atta  Kids".   
I will be sure to share with them....

Well since I am on a new page now, here it is again for viewing ease:

Responded from my site. Might want to check Junk mail?

I was wondering what the extra resistor there was for.  I was looking at it a few minutes ago. Love the circuit, I'll have to Troy out your version.

Thanks I should have mentioned we changed some capacitors as well but that is more out of habit than a need. We always keep the audio path free of electrolytic capacitors as a standard and sometimes you just run into things that mathematically do not make sense. Anyway people should try this on Bass as well for that same fuzzed out Bass part in the same song at the beginning. Bu dunna.. ba dunna.. ba dunna.. ba dunna etc...

Yes I remember and recalled that before responding.
What you and I did not discuss was what I had found out medically through years of testing and diagnosis.
The comment hopefully does some good and gave me a platform (thank you) to spread the word so others do not need to go through what I am. 

It is absolutely based of the Demo Tape Fuzz.
We added some needed resistance so that you could get it to do what I wanted to use it for without needing to turn the volume to (barely on) as well as a few capacitors but aside from our usual GuitarPCB accoutrements that is it.

I am compelled to offer a warning regarding my "Heavy Hand" comment which is the culmination of 6 years of progressive arthritis/neuropathy and accompanying daily pain meds which is why I rarely show myself in a video anymore because my hands are swollen, obviously hurt and they shake uncontrollably which for a person who has played for 40 years can be more than a little aggravating on the brain. Don't worry I am not mad about the actual comment but it did compel me to mention that I personally blame years of toxins absorbed through skin contact and breathing by hand etching boards for thousands of people despite taking all the precautions before switching over to a fabricated process. Agree or not (up to you) the timing fits and I or (more accurately my doctors) have discovered minimally 10 toxins including asbestos. That I am mad about!

I am paying the price and wanted to fully warn others. My pain only gets worse and will never go away despite seeing the best doctors and specialists for 3 years. Granted I did a lot of work to be able raise my kids (as a sole parent) so most will not encounter the amount of work (or physical contact) I did but always use gloves and most importantly a proper high grade mask. Clean up your work space, dust and shower immediately. The boards (Chinese made) contained asbestos fibers from batches I used that were tested and proven.

Most of my demos now feature my 16 year old daughter (thank you!) who has taken over for me in the demo department.
The 4 Track Fuzz demo however for the same reasons as the posters high interest in that tone was the reason I decided I wanted to give it a go myself.

I am very glad you like it!

For those interested here is my daughter on her first demo for me at 14.
That is my son age 13 on drums (albeit not seen) so I am am in good hands once again!   

The "Tone Centralizer Mod", it is a simple modification incorporated into our version to give it a more useful tone control.
This is a Laymen term for the average Joe that feel the pedal is dark for their rig.

For those who would prefer to test (on any version) a more technical description of modifications, see our Build Document located in the PCB Shop (with schematic included & membership not required) and try any of the following modifications.

If you would like an even brighter tone (darker rig) here are some options:

Socket and decrease the value of C4, down to 10nF should be enough. (Socket and see)

You could also try increasing C8 to 470nF and making the Tone pot a 10k Log.

You can even try omitting C4 from the circuit to give maximum frequency response.
Just compare schematics to match with any other build and have fun.


Bare in mind that this isn't the best tone control (based on the original). You can't expect much from just 1 Capacitor and a Potentiometer, however a happy spot is available for just about anyone.

I hope that helps,

Barry
GuitarPCB

Nice Job Brother!