Liquid Gold...

[Govmnt_Lacky]

This is my first attempt at SMD building. Go BIG or go Home right?!

The idea for the finish on this came from those cheezy (pun intended) Velveeta commercials that always ended with "EAT... like that guy you know!" I thought it was catchy so sue me. 

Assembling the PCB went rather well. Although I initially wanted to do the solder paste method, I chickened out and did it by hand. Although not as good as some of the other showings on here (sorry but I will never have an SMD build as neat as chuckbuick or wgc) I think it turned out pretty good. The pedal actually fired right up BUT... the calibration has been an uphill battle. I got the clocks set pretty well and that is about it. Still trying to get out some minor distortions and LFO noise. I am pretty sure that it is due to needing more patience and time adjusting the trimmers OR possibly some issues with the BBDs themselves but it will get there.

Special shout out to Chuckbuick for the opportunity to build his creation. Awesome layout and very well executed design. Another goes to flanagan0708 for trading with me for the BBDs. And finally, a shout to midwayfair who came though in a last second potentiometer crisis when I missed one on an order.

Labeling is on etched PCB faceplate. Wanted to do some tinning but.. since the theme was gold... I definitely didn't want any silver on there so I had to deal with the copper being close enough. Enclosure is painted with Rustoleum hammer tone. Took forever to dry but I think it is all done 

BTW... the specks you see on the photos is actually just dust that I was too lazy to wipe off before taking the pics. Compared to some of the pros on here they probably look like Polaroids 

[brejna]

That is Bruuuutal!!  I want one pcb 

[culturejam]

Beautiful build inside and out. And I love the theme. Those commercials are pretty funny.

[Luke51411]

Epic! Love the faceplate. First SMD build... You went big but you didn't go home! Great work.

[jubal81]

Now that is damn impressive. 


Did you do the layout yourself?

[billstein]

Awesome. What a great build.

[icecycle66]

Oh man, you're killin me.

It's been a while since I've done SMD. I would really like to put this together.

[copachino]

Me wants one pcb now jajaja

[Govmnt_Lacky]

Did you do the layout yourself?

All the credit goes to Mark (chuckbuick) He was kind enough to grant me one of his fantastic PCBs with which I was able to pull my hair out one follicle at a time until completion (or almost completion) 

[Leevibe]

Wow. That is SO well done. Really nice in and out. Points for getting your switch hardware lined up straight! I love those knobs. Are they aluminum with o-ring grippers?

After all that apologizing, I was expecting the board to be a mess. Go easier on yourself. That looks really good! That would have taken me forever to do by hand. This is making me want to try and SMD build.

[Matt]

First smd? Damn nice work!

[midwayfair]

That was ... ambitious for a first SMD build to say the least.

[Jebus]

Really cool! I remember when in late 1990s and early 2000s people kept telling me that you can't do SMD -stuff in home. How wrong they were.. 

[LJangel]

sooooo nice, inside and out

[TGP39]

Oh my god!  This is so beautiful. I thought the exterior design rocked, but the job you did on the pcb is outrageous.  I cannot believe this is your first try at smd. It's just too professional. I'm super impressed.

Steve.