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#51
Open Discussion / Re: Happy Christmas, Bean and ...
Last post by flanagan0718 - January 05, 2026, 06:04:50 PMHappy and Merry belated to all. 2025 was a total kick in the b@lls for me and the "fam"! Seems as though I've had a string of rough years. I'm not gonna hold my breath on 2026 being any better but...I'll try to keep my head up and work through it all. My recent moto has been "despite my best efforts I remain in business". It's been tough. But coming here always helps me "disconnect" and reset a bit.
Hope 2026 is better for everyone!
-Mike-
Sorry for being so negative.
Hope 2026 is better for everyone!
-Mike-
Sorry for being so negative.
#52
Open Discussion / Happy New Year 2026, Pork barr...
Last post by fair.child - January 04, 2026, 05:19:55 PMHello folks, Happy New year 2026!!
This year, I have a personal goal to create a new chorus pedal, though the title says pork barrel which is not new. However, I do want to discuss some ideas and bounce back with you all as a starter
1. Why do I want to do it?
I always have a personal ear lust over a nice chorus and I do have an original CE-2 which is a great pedal. However, after seeing Bonamassa live and Landau often, I come to search for a blue hippo MK2, which is hard to find. So basically, because I see a lot of players that I love have BH MK2 on their chain then that's the spark on me.
2. Why Pork Barrel?
BH MK2 or MK1 is basically a CE-2 with chorus vibrato mod and I really want to go back and study again the porkbarrel or CE-2 original. Basic understanding is already there and I have built tri stereo chorus so I have a further crazy ideas (in an analog way) to start the redesign.
3. Why do another chorus design?
I want to test out the chorus LFO in a manner of slow sine wave where the rate control works not with an op-amp (triangle) wave instead more a sine wave. I know there is Vref on the op-amp network that can do that as well but I want to make it controllable using VTL5C2 or C3, or any type of slow sine wave vactrol (between 1Hz to 8Hz sinewave LFO). I think this is going to be interesting.
So there are some ideas that I write down for starters, any thoughts are welcome (if you're reading til the end thank you)
This year, I have a personal goal to create a new chorus pedal, though the title says pork barrel which is not new. However, I do want to discuss some ideas and bounce back with you all as a starter
1. Why do I want to do it?
I always have a personal ear lust over a nice chorus and I do have an original CE-2 which is a great pedal. However, after seeing Bonamassa live and Landau often, I come to search for a blue hippo MK2, which is hard to find. So basically, because I see a lot of players that I love have BH MK2 on their chain then that's the spark on me.
2. Why Pork Barrel?
BH MK2 or MK1 is basically a CE-2 with chorus vibrato mod and I really want to go back and study again the porkbarrel or CE-2 original. Basic understanding is already there and I have built tri stereo chorus so I have a further crazy ideas (in an analog way) to start the redesign.
3. Why do another chorus design?
I want to test out the chorus LFO in a manner of slow sine wave where the rate control works not with an op-amp (triangle) wave instead more a sine wave. I know there is Vref on the op-amp network that can do that as well but I want to make it controllable using VTL5C2 or C3, or any type of slow sine wave vactrol (between 1Hz to 8Hz sinewave LFO). I think this is going to be interesting.
So there are some ideas that I write down for starters, any thoughts are welcome (if you're reading til the end thank you)
#53
General Questions / Re: Build doc for the original...
Last post by jessenator - January 04, 2026, 02:04:55 AM
#54
General Questions / Build doc for the original Pol...
Last post by Caedarn - January 04, 2026, 12:16:12 AMLife got in the way and I haven't done much pedal building in the last few years. I've got an original Polytrog PCB that I now want to build, but don't have the build doc and couldn't locate it on the site. Could Brian or someone point me to where to find it? Thanks in advance.
#55
General Questions / Re: Blue Steel LED
Last post by greysun - January 03, 2026, 06:18:22 PMDecided to get the board going while I wait on a couple caps and resistors. Just gonna do the keeley mods - was originally gonna socket em, but life's too short.
Of course I ran out of 2k2, so had get a parallel situation going at r10 - worked great with that open space.
Trying to use up some enormous 47u electros in c28 and c27 cause I'll have a little room with the 125b and really just want them gone.
What I thought was a 100ka in my stash was actually a 100kb, and I only had a 9mm 100ka, so got creative to make that work with some perf board and leads, as well as making the 250ka dual gang - this lets me have a little play, but keeps things relatively stable when I'm tightening everything up.
Once I get the foot switch board and enclosures I'll be good to go (I even have some 10kb trimmers - BUT, if in a pinch for future, I assume a 20k is fine, it'll just be harder to hone, yes?)
Thanks again for all this!
Of course I ran out of 2k2, so had get a parallel situation going at r10 - worked great with that open space.
Trying to use up some enormous 47u electros in c28 and c27 cause I'll have a little room with the 125b and really just want them gone.
What I thought was a 100ka in my stash was actually a 100kb, and I only had a 9mm 100ka, so got creative to make that work with some perf board and leads, as well as making the 250ka dual gang - this lets me have a little play, but keeps things relatively stable when I'm tightening everything up.
Once I get the foot switch board and enclosures I'll be good to go (I even have some 10kb trimmers - BUT, if in a pinch for future, I assume a 20k is fine, it'll just be harder to hone, yes?)
Thanks again for all this!
#56
Open Discussion / Re: Big Muff 2
Last post by jessenator - January 03, 2026, 01:30:10 PMQuote from: LaceSensor on January 03, 2026, 11:56:50 AMWhat did you select for volume control?Fair enough. It just feels louder than others I've built, but might be due to the volume pot.
Tbh those artefacts are only there when not playing, and who expects a big muff to be quiet lol?
I'll poke around and swap it if it's the base 10k. Nope just rechecked my board post, and I used a linear because tradition.
Logarithmic? On an output volume? Who would've thought‽ I was building it to just see if it worked first 😂 but I might could have rechecked.
#57
Open Discussion / Re: Big Muff 2
Last post by LaceSensor - January 03, 2026, 11:56:50 AMWhat did you select for volume control?
Tbh those artefacts are only there when not playing, and who expects a big muff to be quiet lol?
Tbh those artefacts are only there when not playing, and who expects a big muff to be quiet lol?
#58
Open Discussion / Re: Big Muff 2
Last post by jessenator - January 03, 2026, 05:43:15 AMVerified my board tonight. Am experiencing the 'max sustain artefacts' LaceSensor mentioned over on PPCB, but there's enough to go around without diming it.
This thing is ...gutsy. Just pushes and pushes. I want to play a bit with components and values and see what mayhem I can get up to.
This thing is ...gutsy. Just pushes and pushes. I want to play a bit with components and values and see what mayhem I can get up to.
#59
General Questions / Re: Blue Steel LED
Last post by greysun - January 03, 2026, 03:03:29 AMAh; see this is what happens when you don't pay attention, hehe...
I'd need 2 of them... and could always shoot a Zelle payment or something... just PM me details.
I gotta wait for my tayda order with my enclosures anyway, so I have a little time before I'm boxing em up. ;-)
I'd need 2 of them... and could always shoot a Zelle payment or something... just PM me details.
I gotta wait for my tayda order with my enclosures anyway, so I have a little time before I'm boxing em up. ;-)
#60
General Questions / Re: Blue Steel LED
Last post by madbean - January 03, 2026, 02:16:07 AMThat is correct. You will need to manually wire a CLR if you are not using one of the bypass boards. Most of the designs since 2024 are set up this way to make all the drill spots for the LEDs consistent (16mm to the left of the 3PDT). If you want a bypass board, I'm happy to drop one in the mail to you, no charge.