Dr Tony Balls wrote: Mon Apr 21, 2025 1:55 pm

VaticanShotglass wrote: Sun Apr 20, 2025 7:35 pm

• When emulating a design like the bassman in this case, how much is it just voicing the preamp after the target amp and then just working out a power amp that suits the desired usage? Or is it a lot more complicated, like you using these less common tubes in a configuration that also emulates the output stage?

This is the goal. Basically work out a backend from ELC84 tubes that I can pair with any preamp to create a push-pull mini amp that behaves like its bigger sibling. I've been getting good results and think I have this formulated at this point.

Dude, that's cool as hell.

Balls BF-15. My local guitar shop, Main Drag Music, now has a venue in the building hosting multiple shows a week. In talking to the owner we hatched a plan for me to build a few backline amps to suit the room, something Fender-y and something Marshall-y (which is yet to come). They get some amps to use and I get a little bit of publicity.. Its a brick box room with two-story ceilings and doesnt need anything massively powerful to fill the space. This is 15 watts with 2 x EL84s and a 12" speaker. The circuit is a very black-face like Fender preamp. Speaker on this one is a reused Eminence from a Hot Rod Deluxe.

Prototype/Proof of Concept type thing. I've been dong a few projects lately where I'm building versions of the big box EHX effects and I wanted to have a layout on hand for a full fledged Deluxe Memory Man. This is that. Modifications are 1) a modern power supply that operates off 18VDC for pedalboard friendliness, 2) chorus/vibrato switch replaced with a pot for a full range of modulation rates, 3) addition of a slam switch which momentarily dimes the repeats knob...helpful for self-oscillating noisy freakouts.

This is definitely a trial run. There was a printing error with this one causing a lot of the fonts to go silly, plus anything in the future will have a slightly larger board for better mounting.






Also it unintentionally looks Nintendo.

Dr Tony Balls wrote: Fri May 09, 2025 11:27 am
Also it intentionally looks fucking rad.

FYP

(calling my sponsor, repeating my mantra "more gear doesn't make you a better player; more gear doesn't buy you the time to play it")

edit: dang, no strikethrough? could have sworn I've seen strikethrough used here.

P-50. Pretty straight Plexi clone with added Master Volume and Effects Loop.

Dr Tony Balls wrote: Mon Apr 21, 2025 1:58 pm

I gotta say, Dr. -- just looking at your gut shots brings me a profound sense of calm. So clean. So serene. A paradigm of tidiness.

I could unironically print them on nice stock, frame them, and put them in a meditation space.

Salut.

Dr Tony Balls wrote: Fri May 09, 2025 11:27 am Prototype/Proof of Concept type thing. I've been dong a few projects lately where I'm building versions of the big box EHX effects and I wanted to have a layout on hand for a full fledged Deluxe Memory Man. This is that. Modifications are 1) a modern power supply that operates off 18VDC for pedalboard friendliness, 2) chorus/vibrato switch replaced with a pot for a full range of modulation rates, 3) addition of a slam switch which momentarily dimes the repeats knob...helpful for self-oscillating noisy freakouts.

This is definitely a trial run. There was a printing error with this one causing a lot of the fonts to go silly, plus anything in the future will have a slightly larger board for better mounting.

Also it unintentionally looks Nintendo.

I honestly can’t see any issues with font.

Excited.

I’ve been through so many vintage Memory Men I might have to take a serious look at one of those. Got a working price yet?

Edit: it rules it still has the overload light! I love the preamp on that thing.

ATTENTION

I'll be building a limited fuzz pedal to go along with this year's PRF BBQ Chicago. The pedals will be $200 ppd in the US ($215 elsewhere) and $100 from each sale will go to charity. The PRF BBQ charity for this event is the Letters Charity providing direct assistance to families facing urgent financial hardship.

Pedal details:

- It is an octave fuzz firmly rooted in the vintage vibe of 60's/70's units (imperfect, erratic, fun!)

- It is, to my knowledge, a unique design blending elements from existing circuits

- It will be in a pedalboard-friendly format with standard LED and 9V external power source, as well as onboard battery

- It will have a cobra on it

This will be largely done on a PRE-SALE basis with up-front ordering and delivery of the completed units within 4-6 weeks of the pre-sale closure. Some extra units *may* be available at the PRF BBQ events, but no guarantees. Ordering is live through June 4th.

ORDER HERE: https://ballseffects.com/special/wish-list-fuzz/

Dr Tony Balls wrote: Sun May 25, 2025 12:52 pm - It will have a cobra on it

Next time open with that.