Help with the Tremolessence box layout, please! (4 choices)

[Ryan]

**EDIT** I added a 4th choice, the 125B size box... gotta be thorough and MM's right, it ain't a bad box! The 125B layout would be a pleasure to build, it's quite roomy. You can change your vote in the poll if you like. **EDIT**

Along with the relay switching that's been holding up the ultimate Tremolessence for awhile now I've been waffling about how the new box layout should go...

The problem is it's friggin tough to fit 6 knobs and 2 toggle switches into the 1590B with top mounted in/out/9VDC jacks plus 2 expression control jacks. It's tight like a tiger... I built one prototype so far (in the middle layout) and it was a super bitch to get together.

I don't want to lose any features or really change the circuit design at all right now, I think it's ready to roll, but a big part of me wants to use the 1590BB for the ultimate Tremolessence. My first instinct is to always squeeze as much possible into the 1590B but this build is so full that there's a lot of compromises with it.. it's really hard to build, there's barely any room on the top panel for control labels or any kind of artwork or finish coolness, and the knobs are really close together and maybe hard to use for some folks.

So here's 3 layouts that I think I could build... what do you guys think is the best one? Would you hate having the pedal move up into a slightly bigger box or does anybody even care about that difference? (a 1590BB is less than 1.5" wider than a 1590B)

PS - The six knobs are: Rate, Shape, Depth, Volume, Treble, Rise. One toggle is for square or triangle waveform and the other is for 'hold' or 'normal'. The in/out/9VDC jacks are on the top and the expression jacks for rate and depth are on the side. The little hole is for a 3mm LED that will always show the rate and shape of the oscillator.

I know there's one other box option I could use, the 125B, but... well... I don't like those boxes. They're fine boxes and I'm glad they're out in the world being used, but there's something about them that rubs me wrong so I've avoided doing a layout in them, although the extra height would be nice. Flippin 125Bs. **Edit - these boxes aren't so bad, I could work with them! Plus, that layout could be snugged much closer together, I did it loose and fast... 1 to 2 cm of stomp switch room could be gained with a tighter layout. **Edit**

My pros and cons for the two box sizes I like:

1590B Pros - smallest box possible is cool

1590B Cons - build is too tight/tough, not much room for finish fun, knobs close together/tight control layouts bother some people

1590BB Pros - build would be a pleasure, lots of room for the finish, I personally think the layout looks better, tons of room between stomp switch and controls

1590BB Cons - little more money but no big whoop, little bit wider.. I know how important pedal real estate is!

125B Pros - definitely a pleasurable build

125B Cons - little beefy I guess

Thanks a million for any input on this, I'd love to hear what you guys think about the different box sizes. Love to hear from current Tremolessence owners too about the changes.

I was also thinking it could be cool to do the decked out Tremolessence in the big box and then do a more simpler one in the small box. Make it a 3 knobber with 1 toggle, stripped down but exact same oscillator and audio path, kinda like the mini and big RRR.

Another PS - Don't let me sway your vote to the big box, if the smaller box is the cooler box then I don't mind the little extra work to make them, no biggie!

[Eric!]

I'd be all for a suuuper mini. Don't really use trem much, but I'd love to see it (and who knows, maybe I'll change my mind, I did about delay).

Go ahead and throw it in the big box. For as much as that does, there can be space sacrifices on the board!

[Companda]

If it were up to me, and it should be, I would go with the 1590BB. Yes it's bigger, but not hugely so.

1. I just find the layout to be more ascetically pleasing. Maybe that's just me.
2. My feet are huge, and the farther things are away from the foot switch (especially toggle-bogs) the better.
3. More room for pretty pictures
4. I could probably store some candy in there. Something that wont melt from my hot licks.
5. Maybe some potato chips. Though, I imagine I would have to put them in a baggie of some sort to contain crumbs.
6. I like that both of the expression jacks are on one side.
7. Pleasure to build!

[Ryan]

Thanks guys, much appreciated. Great points, Dr., I think a lot of people were put off by how close the stomp switch was to the knobs on the last version of the Tremolessence... I was sure that extra features in a small box was worth the compromise but I'm starting to think 'Just use a bigger box. And fill it up with candy.'

[Scruffie]

For me personally, I like this option best "I was also thinking it could be cool to do the decked out Tremolessence in the big box and then do a more simpler one in the small box. Make it a 3 knobber with 1 toggle, stripped down but exact same oscillator and audio path, kinda like the mini and big RRR."

Especially as I don't need tons of knobs usually, but for everyone else, 1590BB, you don't want the builds to get a pain in the ass or you'll just hate making them (even though the middle one does look pretty cool) and people round here seem to like big boxes, i'm Stingy on my 1590B only pedal board where i'd want it.

[Blurillaz]

What iffffff
all knobs on one side, all jacks on the other, tons of room for art?

[Eric!]

The third one looks like a Musket!

[Jack Deville]

My vote is for a 1590B. Smallest, tightest most crammed layout possible.
I like small things.

[krystobahn]

hey the big box still takes up less real estate than my goatkeeper.

[futuresailors]

Thanks guys, much appreciated. Great points, Dr., I think a lot of people were put off by how close the stomp switch was to the knobs on the last version of the Tremolessence... I was sure that extra features in a small box was worth the compromise but I'm starting to think 'Just use a bigger box. And fill it up with candy.'

Well, you know how I feel about big boxes of candy...

[Pick Me]

I think #2 is by far the best looking layout of the three. The big box just looks odd, everything is cockeyed. The offset knobs look weird but the the offset toggles almost look like a mistake.

On the middle one all the knobs and toggles are in line, following the length of the box, just looks right aesthetically.

Size is definitely important, is there and enclosure size slightly larger than the 1590B but not as large as the BB, probably not...

Whatever you decide will work fine

[nightraven]

definitely the bigger box, it's not THAT big and the knobs on the smaller ones would be too finicky for me to use and they don't look as nice. my only gripe with the big box is the position of the footswitch, i would prefer it centred.

[jarder]

For the amount of features I would think that the bigger box is justified. The toggles do seem out of place though.

[Musickbox]

My vote goes to the big box.

I do have a request though... One is a big knob for the speed. I like changing the tempo with my foot. The other, and probably more important, is having a rate LED that doesn't turn off when the pedal is bypassed.

[metalmariachi]

I also think the lay out of the big box looks a bit off.

I voted 125B because I could and more room for art work.

As for pedal board space I ran out years ago so it doesn’t matter.

MM