Silicon Buzzarounds

[D.o.S.]

So, uh, where's that $75 Klone.

edit: stupid page shift ruining mah gags. I'm excited for clips.

[digi2t]

So, uh, where's that $75 Klone.

edit: stupid page shift ruining mah gags. I'm excited for clips.

[KaosCill8r]

I have... never tried a buzzaround.

The Buzzicon isn't a Buzzaround. The Buzzaround has a completely different feel and tone, so the silicon version won't satisfy that unknown. The only reason why we called it the Buzzicon, is because it shares some of the circuit topology, but that's where the similarities end. Thanks to jrmy for the moniker, completely his idea.

Dino I wish you'd do the odd run of pedals and off load them in the shark tank. You have a good ear, and that is one TIDY build!

I've been dropping hints and I'm not the only one it seems that wants one. He doesn't seem to bite.

I'm going to be up front and honest here, as I always am; I really appreciate the "good ear" comment. It really helps validate what I'm trying to do, and I appreciate the fact that someone else also appreciates my work. I mean this sincerely, and I hold this near to my heart.

As for building for others, I do, on occasion, and for special reasons / people. Please don't take this as a slight, I'll explain. I have a full time job, a full time family, and a full time hobby. As it stands now, the builds that I have done for others, are either builds of gratitude, to repay good deeds done to/for me (several), or builds that have an extraordinary monetary benefit (very few). Pure and simple; my time is worth something, and the more time I shift from other things to build, the cost of building usually increases accordingly. Like every working stiff, I need to justify what I'm doing. Unfortunately, the "justification" generally tends to be out of the means of your average duffer, a group to which most of us (yours truly included) belong.

The other angle to the equation is this; I'm 50 years old, and I make a VERY healthy living at my job. Better than most. I've spent countless years getting to the point where I can finally "lift" off the pedal, relax, and enjoy my hobby for what it is. A hobby. I don't want it to turn into a JOB. I like to be able to say, "Fuck it... I'm going to go watch TV", without having to worry about Joe/Jane Blow waiting on his/her pedal. This is one of the main reasons for which I've priced my commissioned builds so high, to clear out the duffer pool. My PLL build costs $600 US + shipping. Yeah, it's steep for most, but I've sold a couple, and I build them with every ounce of quality that I would expect for myself. I'm not going to waste my time building $100 fuzz boxes, only to sell a few, and then have the rest sit on EBay forever. I just cannot justify that cost, not unless I traffic a bunch of Chinese immigrants into my shop. Moreover, when I have accepted commissioned builds, they have consumed me. With the amount of money that these folks are doling out, part shortage not withstanding, I will burn the candle at both ends to finish a build. I hate making people wait unnecessarily, worse that I hate waiting myself. Soldering until 3 am, then going to work for 6 am, is the norm for a commissioned build. Ask my wife, she'll happily confirm, through clenched teeth.

In this case, I made a promise to jrmy that I would build him a Buzzicon as a gift (if he liked it). Why? Because he asked a question that no one had really answered before, and that question lit a fire under me. If not for that, I wouldn't have done the research I did for this build, and I would have never discovered about piggy-backing transistors. So, for getting me to bed a bit less stooped know, I owe him a debt of gratitude.

But keep this in mind... he's still covering the shipping.

I'm sorry if that bends anybody's nose outta shape. It is what it is.

I understand mate, no hard feelings from me. And I understand the concept of time all too well. Especially when it comes to spending quality time with the missus and family. They seem to resent our hobbies at the best of times. There are just not enough hours in the day.
I have built a shitload of simple and not so simple fuzzes and overdrive pedals from kits, as well as modded some of my builds and 99.9% have worked no problem. Only had 1 that didn't turn out right. Still worked but sounded like shit. Building on vero and perfboard the opposite. I have only got a simple buffer that has worked on perf board and that looked like shit on the inside. All other from scratch builds have been complete disasters. And I have no troubleshooting/debugging skills what so ever. And as far as reading schematics, or electronics design I wouldn't have a clue. That silicon Fuzzaround was such an awesome sounding fuzz and I wanted one on my board. Can't fault me for that. I love fuzz!
Anyways thanks for explaining your position. Cheers Dino.

[jrmy]

Are there any good builders you know out in Australia, KaosCill8r? Maybe you could get someone to build you one from that schem!

[D.o.S.]

TYM is from australia, I think.

[KaosCill8r]

Yeah our own johnnyc from Anarchy Audio and Nick from Midnight Amplification. They are both awesome builders but just not cheap. I'm sure there are other cool builders in oz but none that I know of.

[goroth]

Thanks for the explanation Dino

[KaosCill8r]

TYM is from australia, I think.

You mean Tym from Tyms Guitars. He is way too expensive for me. I'm on an invalid pension guys. Money is real tight. My pockets are getting deaper and my arms are getting shorter every year.

[jrmy]

We need to come up with an ILF-vetted global directory of good & cheap builders! There's gotta be a way that we can all love fuzz on a budget!

[KaosCill8r]

That is a sterling idea. Would get a few up and coming builders on the map. I have no problems with buying from the no name yet builders. Someone has to give them a chance to shine and get the word out.

[digi2t]

Here's the latest installment from The Hen's Tooth Café. Hope you like it.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUqS0HzjaZc[/youtube]

Jrmy, if it rocks your world, PM me.

[Chankgeez]

Sounds fantastic, Dino.

[Tristan]

Yeah, sounds great!

[jrmy]

OH HELL YES!!!

[Chankgeez]

OH HELL YES!!!

Wasn't this supposed to be a PM?