Mods to the Algal Bloom

by **Ice Ape** » Sat Feb 16, 2013 9:29 pm

I am almost ready to pull the trigger on ordering an Algal Bloom but I figure I should get one with mods to best suit my needs and to make it more versatile. I didn't even know mods were available until I dug deeper into the demos and forum postings. So cool to get a one of a kind fuzz specific to what I need! Try getting that from Boss or MXR...

My problem is I am confused by what mods are available and exactly what they do. There is the germanium choke option that seem to give a grindier (is that a word?) high end. Does that lend itself to spitier (another made up word?) sounds when working with the starve knob? I would love to be able to get some of the cool broken amp sounds if possible. Also, what about bass boost? Is this designed for bass guitar or is it just a switch that thickens up the sound? :idk:

I have also seen some mention of other mods like a germanium/silicon hybrid switch. Not sure what that one does (ge vs si transistors, diodes?) Also different color LED clippers and other mods. What do they do? So many choices! :?:

Hopefully this has not all been covered elsewhere.I am sure other people interested in getting an AB with mods must have similar questions. So I guess I am asking what mods are possible and a description of what they do. Any info clearing up these questions would be very much appreciated so I can zero in on what I want/need and go ahead and get an order in form my own Algal Bloom. Thanks!!!

by **sonidero** » Sat Feb 16, 2013 10:34 pm

YES get a modded Algal... The Germanium option DOES lend itself to broken amp sounds when used win conjunction with the starve... I have an Algal with a 5 way selector that has regular Silicon, Blue Led, Red Led, Germanium, and double Silicon and I mainly use the Germanium cause it gets so gnarly and sputtery... Thomass does make a Bass Bloom that has a clean blend and I assume that his bass boost mod came from working on that but I have not played one, might get that on my 4th Algal when I order a XS version... The LED versions can get real loud and have more headroom and I like to use them stacked with other dirt, if the Red doesn't sound right the Blue will... If you have the ca$h, which won't be much cause Thoms a Pimp, then just go all out and get all the mods... Also ask Thom if he has any blems laying around or really splash out, like I did, and get a Laura Bennett painted one... Whichever one you get you WONT be disappointed...

:!!!:

ALGAL FTW

by **Bellyheart** » Sat Feb 16, 2013 11:18 pm

Email TD now!

Sonidero, I never knew this....lemme see.

by **sonidero** » Sat Feb 16, 2013 11:27 pm

It's the painted one next to the Upper Huger... :love:

by **Almonds** » Sun Feb 17, 2013 12:19 am

beautiful

by **sonidero** » Sun Feb 17, 2013 12:44 am

Almonds wrote:beautiful

Waiting on another FH so I can update that...

Dalt Dalt also is doing the Push Pull knobs now so that is also something to think about... Push, Germanium, Pull, Double Silicon would rawk... You can get the mids toggle like I have on my Huger, and the Bloom bypass 2nd stomp switch (if he'll do it again)... :thumb:

by **magiclawnchair** » Sun Feb 17, 2013 11:13 pm

The bloom bypass sounds awesome. I have a push pull pot on one of my algals that bypasses the fuzz in the circuit. I would recommend that.
If you are a fan of oscillation the osc Tom put on the AB section of my Blooming Wall of Fuzz is NAS-T!!!

by **GlitteryChunks** » Thu Mar 07, 2013 5:42 pm

Perhaps a list of mods available in a stickied post? Or would that institutionalize customs too much?

Also, will Tom do mods on Algals that have already been bought by people?

by **magiclawnchair** » Thu Mar 07, 2013 7:11 pm

GlitteryChunks wrote:Perhaps a list of mods available in a stickied post? Or would that institutionalize customs too much?

Also, will Tom do mods on Algals that have already been bought by people?

I'm pretty sure he has mods listed on the web site. He will do mods to preowned pedals and Tom is real easy to work with. Shoot him an email! :poke:

by **Psyre** » Fri Mar 08, 2013 11:17 am

sonidero wrote:It's the painted one next to the Upper Huger...

18Toms.JPG

Someone's trying to get in to Tom's pants, and I do not blame!

by **kosta** » Fri Mar 08, 2013 2:10 pm

Yeah, Tom will mod any of his stuff regardless of where it came from. I bought an 1134 from a guy on Craigslist here in NY, and sent it to Tom to be rehoused in a Pat Corrigan enclosure and modded all to hell. It's way better now! Tom rocks.

by **Ice Ape** » Mon Mar 18, 2013 5:37 pm

So last night I was playing through my rig. It sounded great but there was something missing. There was no Algal Bloom running into my amp. But I have no reason fear of this fuzz purgatory for long because soon I will have one in my eager clutches. And not just any Algal Bloom, but a really great one is coming soon...

sonidero wrote:YES get a modded Algal...If you have the ca$h, which won't be much cause Thoms a Pimp, then just go all out and get all the mods...

This is exactly what I did.

Let me start with saying that Thom is the greatest guy to work with. He patiently answered all my clueless questions (and there were many) quickly and clearly. Over several long emails (long=my fault) back and forth an super awesome Algal Bloom was planned. It will have it all. Everything!

Bass Mod
A push pull knob will engage a different capacitor with a different value to allow more bass frequencies into the circuit. I opted for the "most bass" value for the most dramatic shift in tone.

Rotary Diode Switch
This is an expansion of the germanium choke mod. Instead of only engaging only one different diode setting I will have the option of choosing between many different diode selections. Just as the germanium choke changes the sound in its own particular way, each different diode configuration will have a unique effect on the character of the sound produced and how the other controls react in the circuit as a whole.

Bloom Bypass
A push pull knob on the bloom knob will disengage the whole bloom gain stage. Thom's description is "The Algal Bloom becomes much less overdriven. More fuzzy, hrrrumphy, less sustaining, smooth, and gainy". This will open up many new possibilities for me, almost like a different fuzz.

Oscillation Footswitch
This Algal Bloom will also feature an oscillation footswitch muck like an AB Synth has. Thom explained to me that the different diode combos on the rotary switch would produce oscillations with differing characteristics. I should be able to go from screechy mayhem to robot madness. So cool!

I am really excited to get this super modded Algal Bloom. The wide array of options I will have available to get different tones and effects out of it will be limitless. That is the beauty of it. From starved out and sputtering, to high gain fuzziness, to oscillating chaos this Algal bloom will have it all! It will even look great (as all Fuzzhugger pedals do) as I opted for the stained glass roses finish with each knob a different color. It will add lots of color and class to my board. I am sure to cherish this pedal forever! So very Awesome!!!

Now all I need is a name for it. Algal Bloom Plus? Algal Bloom Deluxe? Supreme? Ideas?

Thanks to everybody who encouraged and inspired me to get an Algal bloom and to go all out with it. Reading your posts and watching your demos really helped. Thanks guys!

Lastly, once again I would like to thank Thom. His reputation as a great guy on this board and elsewhere is well deserved. Thanks Thom!

:yay: