Making Stuff

About 15 years ago I started cruzing the internet looking for amps (like you do), and I came across a few webpages that specialized in information on making your own amps, providing schematics, instructions, tips and tricks, as well as a gallery of completed amps of people that have made as resources.

The schematics didn't look too nutty, and seeing that other people did it, in some cases, also had no experience doing this type of work before. I was kind of inspired. The designs were pretty simple, based off of the old RCA tube amp diagram that even Leo Fender used as a basis for some of his earliest amps. I even had a pipe dream of making my own amps as a product, starting my own company. But real talent makes anything look easy and after looking into it, I realized that this wouldn't be easy. A few people that were making them back then, have started companies since, and few have gotten their stuff into the hands of professional players. When asked about it, they usually said , "it hasn't been easy". With guitar trends being fickle, and economy that was as stable as jello, they kept at it.

So I set my sights a little lower, I do like making, fixing and tinkering with stuff (that explains my love of vintage British cars!),  so I started thinking about making some of my own pedals. I grabbed a copy of "electronic projects for musicians", made a trip to a large electronics supply house (not radio shack!), and plunked down about $150 in miscellaneous parts.

Starting out simply, I tried an A/B Box. The circuit wasn't hard to do, but drilling the holes in the boxes, making sure things looked even, like they were machined in a factory was kind of tough. The holes on my 1st one looked like a blind man did it. Eventually I got my drilling down pretty good, and made a few for friends. Another project I undertook was making Amp channel switchers that didn't look like they were designed in the 50's, and they came out ok. I made a passive tone unit for a local studio, their enginneer loved using that with guitarists that had solid state amps, as it took some high end edge off.

Then I tried a few tougher things; 1st was a fuzztone. As much as I checked and re checked the circuit, it couldn't get it right. Comparing it to a EHX fuzz, and a Dunlop one,  It just sounded like junk. It didn't even have the "well it's got a sound that would be good for something" feel to it. Moving on, I attempted a distortion pedal that was based off of the DOD overdrive, again, it just sounded like poo. I scoured news groups (this is before reedit), looking for corrections or mods for these circuits, as much as I like a challenge, it proved overwhelming. I liked the experience I got from this, but in no way was I going to get into making pedals for sale.

Eventually I gave the remaining electrical components to Steve Varao, who was making pedals, doing mods, and the like. He has the talent, knowledge, and ability to really make some cool stuff. He modded my Boss BD-2, and made a good pedal sound great! I asked him to make me a couple of true bypass loop pedals in exchange for the pile of parts. He had the abilities to make this collection of components look like a factory made piece. I still use them to this day, and are well worth it, considering how I have my pedalboard configured.

I still have the urge to modify and tweak stuff, but considering the time and money investment, I'm going to leave it to the pros. I learned a lot going though all that, and know where my talents lie, as well as knowing when a pedal costs a bit more, and where that extra $ goes.

I applaud anyone trying to get into starting a business making pedals or amps. The market is full of small companies, putting out high quality products. It's like beer: back in the day there were like 3 beers you could get at a bar or store, now there are beer stores and bars that only sell small batch, hand made craft beers. It's not an easy thing; to come up with a new pedal ideas with so much competition out there. Makers like Keeley, and JHS have gotten really big, building on mods, to each developing their own thing tonally. If you find a small manufatcurer in your area, and they're starting out, I highly suggest supporting them.

That being said, there are 2 companies that I feel need to be shared with you all; Fuzzrocious and Coppersound. 

Ryan at Fuzzrocious makes some very wild pedals, it great to see a company go from DIY to production. It's a family affair as well, with his wife and kids stepping in, designing some very unique graphics to some very unique pedals. Name a new family business that's this cool, I'll wait.

Coppersound Pedals are VERY local to me, as they are a Massachusetts based company. It's great talking to them about pedals, they get it. They do offer up a range of pedals, and any of their pedals could easily replace any mass produced pedal on your pedalboard, and give more options at the same time. My fave right now is their tele inspired Broadway Preamp. The Telecaster design isn't a gimmick, its big.

These guys know it's not an easy business to be in. They take the time to talk to players, and listen to them. It's R&D, it's Public relations, it's what makes them unique. 

I stepped into a local music store this past spring, and another customer asked a sales person to try out a coppersound pedal. I chimed in "that's a good choice" and quickly pointed out a feature i liked on it, adding "they're local & great guys too". The sales person, in his hipster uniform of ironic facial hair and plaid shirt, shot back a snarky and sarcastic "yeah that's what I look for in a pedal, Nice guys". 

Yes, its a bonus. The same way I won't ever go out of my way to buy an item in your store, because of that remark. Here's a local company, being sold in a local music store, by a fellow that misses the true credo of a hipster "Here's something cool, you've probably never tried, and it's local". the same sales guy probably thinks Subway makes a great chicken parm. That experience at that music store just made Amazon and Reverb.com look better to me. It's sad to hear of brick and mortar stores hitting hard times, but when a brick and mortar store acts douchy, my sympathies fade away. The bummer will be when a local company looks for a place to sell their stuff locally, and there will be limited places to go.

With the media telling us that the guitar is dead, no one actually buying music, and few examples of people actually making music, why get into all this? From my experience, it's love, it's a connection. I'll bet on Love, and like every bet, it's not gambling, if it's a sure thing.