Catawampus Double Fuzz - BYOC Multi Effect

[Aleph Null]

Red Llama into a Maestro MFZ-1, using BYOC 1590A boards.





This project was ornery and fought me the whole way; I finished the enclosure 4 times before getting it "good enough". The water-slide isn't my best work, but I wasn't going to fight this project any more. It started in a 125B with a different PCB for the Red Llama side of the circuit, but it was too cramped for troubleshooting when it didn't work.



I also had to replace a 3PDT after moving to the new PCB and larger enclosure. The last insult was a stripped knob. I bored it out and fit it with a larger grub screw.

[beneharris]

I like the decal, thats a really good build. If you hadn't mentioned any of the issues nobody would ever have been the wiser! 

[Aleph Null]

Thanks!

I only mention this stuff because, back when I was lurking, it was very depressing to see what seemed like immaculate builds with no mention of any difficulties or problems being encountered. I like to detail the pitfalls in hopes of helping others avoid them.

[beneharris]

Oh you're right. It definitely makes everyone feel a lot better when you're not the only one with troubles. The last one I did I had to repaint the enclosure 3 times, lol.

[galaxiex]

Very Nice!

.... and just to echo the others...
I once made over 10 water slide decals for 1 pedal cuz they just refused to come out "nice enough".
I quit counting after 10... 

[Boba7]

I love it (them)! Simple and nice, it's very inspiring.

The 125B is extra cute but the BB looks amazing too and is probably more practical.

How do you like the Maestro side?

[Aleph Null]

How do you like the Maestro side?

The MFZ-1 is an interesting fuzz. It remains surprisingly articulate even at full fuzz settings; there's enough string separation that you can play chords. It cleans up nicely with the guitar volume. Pick articulation is retained throughout the range. It's not gated or compressed. The gain control also acts as a mild tone control. Full fuzz sounds very clangy (ripping velcro), but again, still open. The response gets darker and more woolly as you roll the fuzz back. This is actually the reason I put the red llama in front of it. I can set the Maestro's gain for the tone that I want, then slam it with the output of the red llama to get the gain I want.