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Thanks to you both! @jessenator, I actually used clear sticker paper for this, which I just got at Michael's. It's a bit easier to use than waterslide decals, but you can sort of see the edge of the sticker, even when you're careful with the cutting and placement. I'm not set up to record demos, but I'd say this is very much in the KoT neighborhood.

This is a modded Bluesbreaker-type board that jubal81 gave me years ago. I've not had much motivation to build overdrives since his Cascadia is so awesome, but I was having some nostalgia for the now-defunct Grind Customs when digging through my PCB stash, and I also hadn't really tried anything with LED clipping. I remember this having some currency in these parts around 2015 or so! Turns out it's a really good drive with a somewhat flatter EQ (compared to, say, a klone anyway) and a general Marshall-like tonal signature, so I think I'll be using it a fair bit for my classic rock moments. For the asymmetrical clipping option, I used an 1n4001 on one side and a 1n914 + an OG 1n60 germanium (with really high, 2 meg + "reverse resistance") on the other. That is my favorite combo since it's louder than the symmetrical 1n4148s, but hairier than the LEDs. Not sure why I called it "Metropole"--post colonial studies vibes, and/or an excuse to use the Campanile font again?

Purple is most definitely mojo! Those purple Marshalls J Mascis has...

Yes! I could look at those things all day.

I haven't seen gtr2 around these parts for some time but am still glad to post this build report. I definitely have not had time to start any new projects up since spring/summer, but this populated Fuzz Face board emerged from my stash of populated PCBs as a quick win. And it sounds great! Transistors are some old GE 2n1305, hfe of 73 for Q1 and 103 for Q2, both with leakage around 0.070mA. You know, I had always felt the whole "4.5 volts on the Q2 collector" thing was a bit oversold based on my experience with other fuzz circuits that do not live in that range (e.g. Tonebenders), and RG Keen even said as much over at DIYSB once. But I set the trimmer on this to the historical 8.2k, dropped them in, and damned if that isn't more or less where they landed (4.7v to be exact). Have to say, the volume knob cleanup is great. I also love that bit of fuzzy "rip" these transistors have at the end of a note. Josh's version of this also does very useful OD sounds due to the treble bleed mod--as you reduce the fuzz, you just turn that up to reduce the "blanket over your amp" effect.

This sounds and looks great! Very much up my alley. PM me if you still have any PCBs. I just got back from a trip to S. Korea so probably missed the boat as it were.

Glad you like it! Your builds are definitely fun to look at! What I like on my build is full hard clipping (usually germanium) with the soft clipping knob at about 1 or 2 'o clock (usually the asymmetrical silicon, but the mosfet does sound really good with the silicon hard clipping). The fat and filter are really key to getting it to work with your particular amp and guitar. Did I mention that this screams with a wah in front of it??

That's awesome that you're stepping up to doing this! You PIF'd me an awesome "starter pack" during the holidays back in like 2011 when I first started building, and I have not forgotten than (and got years of mileage out of those parts, no less). Looks like you're going live tomorrow so I'll be sure to check the site out!

I agree with the approaches mentioned here--honestly back in the day I would just look at pedal setups of bands I liked when I went to their shows, then I'd try it with my gear to see if their approaches worked with my amp, guitar, etc. Swervedriver was the one I probably learned the most from and I still do something like their setup to this day, other than sometimes using my wah at the front of my chain rather than between OD/distortion and the time-based ones.

The OP mentioned Bob Mould, also a big influence on how I play and sound. I love that sound that straddles the line between OD and fuzz. I would highly recommend building the VFE Distortion 3 available here at MBP. I can get that Distortion + or 250-type sounds, but actually make it work with more different guitars and amps than would otherwise be possible. Bob uses a compressor at the end of his chain to smooth things out, but with the Distortion 3, that is hardly necessary due to the interaction of the fat and filter controls.

I've liked all your Kewpie builds! Makes we want to finally do a white pedal, lol. And a Muff which I currently do not have in the lineup (well, the PPCB Marigold, but that's got one feet on the TB side of the fence!).

I'm a sucker for old Ibanez stuff! Will have to watch for this to come back in stock. Love your build!

I'm not able to see how you have the diodes around the LT1054 in the picture, but I would check the orientation of those while you're at it.

Let me mirror others here, all the best to you and your family as you navigate this. When I first started frequenting this forum back in 2011 or so, your YT channel was very much the face of the community for me, if that makes any sense.

Wah and delay together is one of my favorite combinations, so I get where you were coming from here! Sounds awesome!

No worries, I fully understand that life happens! Trust me, I had more or less zero time for music and related hobbies last year. Finishing this build already makes me feel like this year is off on a better foot.