Harbinger One - LDR and lamp specs (same as Quadrovibe?)

[Diamond]

I can't seem to find the lamp and LDR part numbers in the Harbinger PDF in Europe, so I need similar parts that work. I found this Univibe kit from Banzai in Germany: http://www.banzaimusic.com/Univibe-Upgrade-Kit.html It is quite expensive though at 10 euros plus 8 euros shipping costs. It also doesn't include part numbers or specs, but I trust Banzai as a supplier and I can also buy lots of other stuff there.

Locally, in the Netherlands, I usually buy from Newtone. They have this lamp for sale: http://www.newtone-online.nl/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=1465 In the text it says that it can be used for "Madbean Vibrato". I assume that's the Quadrovibe project. Can that lamp also be used in the Harbinger project, or are the specs different? It seems that it is smaller, but is that actually a bad thing for this project? Other tips for finding the 'right' lamp for the project in Europe are welcome.

Then there's the LDRs. Newtone carries several: http://www.newtone-online.nl/catalog/index.php?cPath=47_80 There are two that can be used for the Easyvibe, according to the project. The difference is in the range of the light/dark resistance, 10k/50k to 5M (type9200) or the bigger 5k/20k to 20M (type9203). So, is bigger range better or should I go for 5M dark resistance? The 9203 is also used in the Quadrovibe.

How is the sound difference between the Quadrovibe and Harbinger anyway? Has anyone tried both?

Last question: how is the lamp life in this project? Could I solder it down and not have to worry about it for the next ten to twenty years with moderate use (let's say about four hours a week generally) or is it wise to socket it in some way?


EDIT: I built it with the Banzai kit and it works perfectly! Please scroll down...

[kothoma]

Banzai Music also lists
http://www.banzaimusic.com/Bulb-12V-20mA.html 
http://www.banzaimusic.com/Univibe-Photo-Cell-25k-500k.html
and I guess that's what's in the Upgrade Kit too.

On the recommendation of DutchMF

You can use this: http://www.banzaimusic.com/Univibe-Upgrade-Kit.html
I used it in my build of Jacob Kokura's Vibe project, so Im quite sure it will work in the Harbinger.

I ordered it from Banzai Music but haven't found the time to actually use it...

[Diamond]

Yeah, maybe I should stop over thinking it and just buy the 10 euro kit. The Vibe is an expensive circuit anyway and it's not like I'm going to build multiples.

I am still interested in hearing about the lamp lifespan and the similarities or differences in sound between the Quadrovibe and 'regular' Univibes like the Harbinger.

[DutchMF]

Banzai Music also lists
http://www.banzaimusic.com/Bulb-12V-20mA.html 
http://www.banzaimusic.com/Univibe-Photo-Cell-25k-500k.html
and I guess that's what's in the Upgrade Kit too.

On the recommendation of DutchMF

You can use this: http://www.banzaimusic.com/Univibe-Upgrade-Kit.html
I used it in my build of Jacob Kokura's Vibe project, so Im quite sure it will work in the Harbinger.

I ordered it from Banzai Music but haven't found the time to actually use it...

The Banzai kit is confirmed working. Had some trouble while boxing it, but that was in the finishing of the box..... Wil give it a 2nr try real soon.

Paul

[twin1965]

I'm using the Banzai kit in my Harbinger. Works perfectly well. It saved me the hassle of matching ldrs! Lamp life I don't know about but maybe its better to use a socket. And make sure the light shield is easy to remove.

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 4

[kothoma]

Don't know about lamp life, but would be good to know.
It could be clever to have a lifetime supply of these, before they too get verboten in the EU...

[Diamond]

Yeah, I will ask Banzai about lamp life. If you calculate it at a three hour rehearsal, two hours of practice time at home and a one hour gig a week, which is more than average for me, I would need 312 hours a year. In twenty years of use, which is way more than most would use a piece of gear, it should be able to take 6240 hours. So I guess if it's rated at 5000 hours it should be acceptable for most and at 10000 hours of life you shouldn't have to worry at all and just solder the lamp down.

Another question: does the lamp shine less bright as time goes on, or does it just shine as bright all the time but just die at one point? I'm guessing the second, since regular lamps you would use in your house also behave this way.

[Diamond]

I got a reply from Banzai. The kit does in fact contain the same lamp and LDR's as the ones mentioned. The lamp has a life expectancy of 1000 hours. I hoped it would be more. According to my (admittedly broad) calculations, this would give me about three to four years of life. In practice this would probably more like 5+ years though. The guy who replied said he's been using his for many years and didn't have to replace it yet, but I personally think it would be wise to order one or two more.

[Mike B.]

Bulbs don't really get dimmer over time. However, dust, smoke residue, etc. can collect on the surface of the bulb and LDR's if they aren't well sealed.

Also another thing to think about - unless you disconnect the power plug, the lamp is still lit regardless if the effect is engaged or not.

That said, I have an old MojoVibe built in 2003 that's still going strong. It's a similar circuit with a very similar bulb.

[Diamond]

I built it, with the Banzai Univibe kit. It's expensive, but it works perfectly and without any hassle. I also ordered an extra bulb, just in case.

I have the LDR's pointed right at the bulb. I tried both a black rubber light shield and the same one, but with aluminium foil on the inside to make it reflective. To be honest, I didn't actually hear a difference after a quick test.

I was wondering about how other people set the trimmers. I read the guide for the forum vibe and used that to adjust it. I started with both at zero position. For gain, that's fully counter clockwise and for offset it's fully clockwise. I set the Intensity pot at zero, Speed halfway and the mode switches to vibrato and modern. I started adjusting the offset trimmer so the lamp was dimly lit, which was at about 30% counter clockwise. I then put the Intensity pot on full and started adjusting the gain trimmer until I got the biggest warble, which was about 40% clockwise. More than that didn't really give me more warble but it does light the lamp brighter which I assume will shorten the lifespan, so I left it at 40%. I switched to chorus mode and then started fiddling with the offset trimmer again and found that I got the most intense effect when adjusting it just a little higher, to 40% counter clockwise. Because I read that the controls were so interactive I also tried the adjust the gain trimmer again, but it was best where I originally left it.

So this is how I ended up setting the trimmers for the Harbinger with the Banzai kit: gain at about 40% clockwise and offset at about 40% counter clockwise. I get a huge chop in chorus mode with the Intensity on full, but when I back it off to about 12 o'clock to 2 o'clock I get a really nice swirly sound that actually cuts through an overdriven amp sound really well.

This is a really excellent project. It's small, works really well, is versatile and sounds great! I'm sure that I am going to enjoy this effect very much.


EDIT: perhaps I should add that I used 18v from my VL Pedal Power with a splitter cable and I used 4k7 for R46. Other than that, it's stock.