SteveF's Pedal Building Journey

SteveF

Ahhh.  I don’t really know how to use fuzz. I can never make it sound “right”

Philtre

SteveF said:

Ahhh.  I don’t really know how to use fuzz. I can never make it sound “right”

That's the thing. It never sounds "right". It's a noize machine!

SteveF

I just can’t seem to get the pleasing noises of Hendrix etc. Maybe I need to stack it with something else. If I was to build one fuzz pedal which would you recommend? 

There’s a Tim Pierce YouTube tutorial for Little Wing where he launches into a solo after the intro. Love the tone he gets. I think it’s fuzz but I can’t get anywhere near it (presumably it’s in the fingers!) 

SteveF

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nZyvE0JQQ2c

Philtre

You could try the Skreddy Lunar Module Deluxe. This has a nice creamy Gilmour-esque tone.

http://tagboardeffects.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/great-modern-take-on-classic-fuzz.html

SteveF

Awesome - I’ll give it a go  

SteveF

Think it will have it will have to wait for the next parts order though. I don’t think I have those transistors and some of the pots maybe 

Philtre

Heads up - I just tried the DBA Interstellar Overdriver - http://tagboardeffects.blogspot.com/2013/04/death-by-audio-interstellar-overdriver.html - don't bother. Biggest pile of wet pants ever. I de-soldered all the parts immediately. If you like the sound of "phut" by all means try it.

SteveF

Sounds like I'll give that one a miss then!  How do you desolder your parts?  I find it a real pain in the backside. 

Philtre

You need de-soldering braid. Absolute life saver!

http://cpc.farnell.com/chemtronics/7-5l/chem-wik-1-9mm-5ft-7-5l/dp/SA01660?CMP=TREML007-005

SteveF

I’ll get some and give it a go

SteveF

I’ve got one of those pump thingys at the moment which seems as much use as a chocolate teapot

Philtre

Steve, where did you get your CA3080 chip from for the compressor? And is the compressor any good?

SteveF

Compressor sounds ok to me. But I’ve not really got one to compare to.  I think I’m going to make a 4 knob Keeley for myself. Basically identical
circuit with extra attack and clip knobs. 

It was was quite hard to find the chips. I got them from THONK.co.uk. I got 5 so if you can’t find any let me know and I’ll chuck one in the post to you. 

Philtre

Ah, OK. Thanks for the offer, too!

BB has them - https://www.bitsbox.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=3427

Adam_MD

SteveF said:

I’ve got one of those pump thingys at the moment which seems as much use as a chocolate teapot

Buy one of these then thank me after it arrives.  Honestly they’re fantastic and much better than the cheaper plastic jobs because they actually work. 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Quality-Innovative-Silicone-Nozzle-Engineer/dp/B002MJMXD4/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1527708135&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=engineer+solder+pump&dpPl=1&dpID=417%2B-a4EIbL&ref=plSrch

SteveF

Wonder what the difference is between those and mine. The code on the ones I have is CA3080AE 

Adam_MD

SteveF said:

Wonder what the difference is between those and mine. The code on the ones I have is CA3080AE 

I’ve bought a metal can version for some mojo but haven’t had time to try it yet in the honey bee in my build pile.  

SteveF

Adam_MD said:

SteveF said:

I’ve got one of those pump thingys at the moment which seems as much use as a chocolate teapot

Buy one of these then thank me after it arrives.  Honestly they’re fantastic and much better than the cheaper plastic jobs because they actually work. 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Quality-Innovative-Silicone-Nozzle-Engineer/dp/B002MJMXD4/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1527708135&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=engineer+solder+pump&dpPl=1&dpID=417%2B-a4EIbL&ref=plSrch

Ah! That may just work - I find the one I have at the mo doesn't really work because you can't get it in to where you want to desolder very easily.  I have some braid that came with my first soldering iron too - not sure how good it is though. I tried it once but don't know if I was just doing it wrong but I couldn't get it to remove any solder at all. 

Adam_MD

SteveF said:

Adam_MD said:

SteveF said:

I’ve got one of those pump thingys at the moment which seems as much use as a chocolate teapot

Buy one of these then thank me after it arrives.  Honestly they’re fantastic and much better than the cheaper plastic jobs because they actually work. 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Quality-Innovative-Silicone-Nozzle-Engineer/dp/B002MJMXD4/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1527708135&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=engineer+solder+pump&dpPl=1&dpID=417%2B-a4EIbL&ref=plSrch

Ah! That may just work - I find the one I have at the mo doesn't really work because you can't get it in to where you want to desolder very easily.  I have some braid that came with my first soldering iron too - not sure how good it is though. I tried it once but don't know if I was just doing it wrong but I couldn't get it to remove any solder at all. 

Honestly it’s fantastic it’s saved me loads of times when I’ve made a silly mistake while not paying attention.