Recent posts

#31

Build Reports / Electric Mistress Pedal Flange...

Last post by lars - October 02, 2026, 07:37:49 PM

This is an Electric Mistress that I housed in a Dunlop High Gain volume pedal, so that I can have foot control of the range, especially in filter matrix mode. It's a very unique experience to play while being able to control the flange sweep. It's like I have my thumb, err, foot on the tape reel.
I decided to use a Reticon RD5106, so it was kind of a bear to mod, but well worth the effort.
The bias was difficult to dial in with a 100K pot, so I created a custom bias pot out of a 20K pot with two 39K resistors on each end. This gave me a much smaller sweep to really dial it in.
As everybody knows, the original Electric Mistress has a volume drop when engaged. The best approach I've found to address this is to take advantage of the first op amp stage which is just sitting there amplifying nothing. I stole a page from the 1999 Deluxe Electric Mistress reissue which adds two resistors and a 1uf cap to ground in order to actually boost the clean signal. I ended up having to change the 10K value all the way down to 2.4K to really get rid of any volume drop. This really helps to keep the noise level down compared to tacking a boost circuit to the end, which amplifies everything, including the BBD noise.
All in all, a very cool effect that can do the "Andy Summers" shimmer chorus sound very well. And it's great that it's a flanger in disguise!

#32

VFE Projects / Re: Springboard parts question

Last post by NorthCoast - October 02, 2026, 05:46:44 PM

- The parts list mentions a 150uf cap, but there's a small disclaimer in the BOM notes that 47u (which I have a decent amount of) would be fine. I just want to verify this is true before I scour mouser. I have a ton of 100u, as well.

That capacitor is there to smooth out and stabilize the +5v power connection between the voltage regulator and the brick. The value is not crucial, 47u, 100u, or 150u would all work fine. I'm guessing that the suggestion of 47u is due to the physical size of the component and the available space on the board.

- (this is the really dumb question, cause it feels very obvious, but I have to ask) I have 18v Zeners, but it looks like this VFE project asks for 16v - being less familiar with Zeners than I like to admit, I assume I can't sub an 18v here?

Yeah, I didn't look closely, but the build doc says 'for over-voltage protection', so I'd stick with 16v. There's probably something else in the circuit that can't handle more than 16v.

#33

VFE Projects / Springboard parts question

Last post by greysun - October 02, 2026, 12:51:42 PM

Hi everyone! Just ordered a Springboard PCB and looking forward to messing with that.

I have most of the parts on hand and just need a few odds and ends, which is where my questions start. I'm hoping to get a one-stop shop sort of thing happening here, but it's looking unlikely UNLESS the following questions can get a little clarity...

- The parts list mentions a 150uf cap, but there's a small disclaimer in the BOM notes that 47u (which I have a decent amount of) would be fine. I just want to verify this is true before I scour mouser. I have a ton of 100u, as well.

- (this is the really dumb question, cause it feels very obvious, but I have to ask) I have 18v Zeners, but it looks like this VFE project asks for 16v - being less familiar with Zeners than I like to admit, I assume I can't sub an 18v here?

I'm throwing this into a 125b, so spacial issues shouldn't affect the build, and I've built a couple VFE boards before so I know some of the quirks there, but any advice for this one going in?

Thanks in advance! This place is the best!

#34

General Questions / Re: Windbag and Springboard re...

Last post by greysun - October 02, 2026, 12:38:16 PM

You may need to alternate the orientation of them. take your time and consider the clearance for the adjacent components. There's also resistor kits on Ali that run pretty cheap.

https://a.aliexpress.com/_mL7tbuB

I think I'm gonna do the springboard and see how that goes - just ordered the board and I have most of the other parts on-hand (I truly do whatever I can to avoid ordering extra parts - city boy here with city storage; e.g. full storage, hehe).

Thank you to those who replied, btw - very helpful! like I said, I've angled or vertical oriented a part here or there, but never an entire board. The Boss example is a good one (or is it? depending on your opinion of boss pedals, hehe), so thank you all for the tips. :-) This is why I keep coming back to this forum!

#35

General Questions / Re: Windbag and Springboard re...

Last post by jwin615 - October 01, 2026, 12:42:13 PM

You may need to alternate the orientation of them. take your time and consider the clearance for the adjacent components. There's also resistor kits on Ali that run pretty cheap.

https://a.aliexpress.com/_mL7tbuB

#36

Open Discussion / Re: Looking for people in Euro...

Last post by djaaz - September 30, 2026, 07:12:27 PM

I'm in Paris but why wouldn't you build the stuff yourself. No need to be a rocket scientist. Do you have the basic tools?

#37

General Questions / Re: Windbag and Springboard re...

Last post by NorthCoast - September 30, 2026, 06:52:15 PM

I know it would not look pretty and I'm okay with that, but would there be a sonic repercussion if I angled some 1/4w in place of the 1/8w resistors in either the springboard or windbag?

IMO it can definitely look pretty tons of old classic pedals did this—even full vertical—with resistors, diodes, you name it. As long as you have the vertical real estate, it's no biggie.

Yep, this is a Boss DM-2... I wouldn't worry about it! Looks pretty to me...

#38

General Questions / Re: Windbag and Springboard re...

Last post by greysun - September 30, 2026, 03:38:49 PM

Regarding the 1/4W resistors, shouldn't be an issue as long as the leads or solder joints don't cross any adjacent parts/connections. IMO it can definitely look pretty tons of old classic pedals did this—even full vertical—with resistors, diodes, you name it. As long as you have the vertical real estate, it's no biggie.

You cannot view this attachment.

I've certainly done it before for a part here and there - but not for an entire board, lol - especially one of these sizes. Didn't know if it would induce radio signals or something with so many leads exposed. Good to know! thank you, as always! :-)

#39

General Questions / Re: Windbag and Springboard re...

Last post by jessenator - September 30, 2026, 03:17:17 PM

Regarding the 1/4W resistors, shouldn't be an issue as long as the leads or solder joints don't cross any adjacent parts/connections. IMO it can definitely look pretty  tons of old classic pedals did this—even full vertical—with resistors, diodes, you name it. As long as you have the vertical real estate, it's no biggie.

You cannot view this attachment.

#40

General Questions / Windbag and Springboard resist...

Last post by greysun - September 30, 2026, 01:45:47 PM

I fully understand this is probably a dumb question, and I searched to see if anyone had mentioned something about it before, but came up short...

I have exactly zero 1/8w resistors, but I have thousands of 1/4w resistors in so many varied values - I know it would not look pretty and I'm okay with that, but would there be a sonic repercussion if I angled some 1/4w in place of the 1/8w resistors in either the springboard or windbag?

Also, help me decide if you will... I have a Meris polymoon, so I'm thinking the windbag might be overkill given its half-delay situation, but if I wanted a good reverb without getting a mercury 7 or something like that, the springboard would be the ticket yea? (I have a couple rub-a-dub DIY etched pedals, which are single knob reverbs and sound great, but I'm looking to get a little more control these days).

Any thoughts? Appreciate the help in advance!