NPD - Way Huge Conspiracy Theory overdrive

jeremy said:
what are the good timmy clones? i had my old v1 and early v2 timmy stolen years ago, so now i have two v2 and a copy a friend made for me right after the theft. they janray is good, but sounds different than my timmys
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Caline Pure Sky, 1:1 clone , I have an original Timmy v2 (my main OD for the last 15 years), compared side by side, it's him except what I think are just component tollerances
 
Mincer said:
Well, I might have to spend $30 then.
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Caline is SMT: no practical option for trying out other op amps; basically unrepairable; not as durable. Probably doesn’t matter but swapping op amps on a Timmy is interesting as they each have different characteristics particularly in variances in low noise; fidelity and processing speed. Paul Cochrane said that he thought the 4580 (vs 4559) op amp gave the pedal a more of the sound he was after, or something like that.

The demonfx angel blue drive is hand wired Timmy clone might be an alternative if any of the above might affect your $30 investment decision.

Gut shots of the alleged clones:IMG_0033.webpIMG_0032.webp
 
i did some op amp switching and i did notice some subtle differences. still sounded like a timmy. i forget what i settled on
 
justFred said:
Caline is SMT: no practical option for trying out other op amps; basically unrepairable; not as durable. Probably doesn’t matter but swapping op amps on a Timmy is interesting as they each have different characteristics particularly in variances in low noise; fidelity and processing speed. Paul Cochrane said that he thought the 4580 (vs 4559) op amp gave the pedal a more of the sound he was after, or something like that.

The demonfx angel blue drive is hand wired Timmy clone might be an alternative if any of the above might affect your $30 investment decision.

Gut shots of the alleged clones:View attachment 6326618View attachment 6326619
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Have you compared any of them?
 
Tried several. Ended up keeping LM1458 in my Timmy that went missing. Liked it the best because smoother boost that held up transparent overdrive up in the higher gain levels. Put 4559 in my tag board build, second favorite, high boost levels and a little brighter.

In the end the difference is so subtle that it’s not really material. However, the differences can be heard and it’s fun to experiment. It's nothing even close to the difference of going from a stock Squier Tele bridge to a SD Antiquity II Tele bridge...that is like exponential improvement.

Ordered LM1458 for the Axion fx build, now can have a pair to compare. Will order LF353 as that is what MXR and Paul C agreed to use in their Timmy and haven’t tried it yet.
 
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in my TImmy I tried a number of opamps, the original on mine is 4559, I also tried LM1458, JRC4558, TL072, TL082, LF353, OPA2134, AD712, NE5532, the differences are very very very subtle, trust me, a normal 4558 is more than enough and in mine I keep the 4559 being slightly less noisy, but, really, slightly. The only one being a little different in my ears was the TL072, I don't know what exactly happens but it seems it adds some artifacts if the input signal is strong, maybe the output swing is somewhat limited and I think it unpleasently clips internally to the rail voltages
 
justFred said:
Caline is SMT: no practical option for trying out other op amps; basically unrepairable; not as durable.
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don't understimate smt construction and Caline products in general, smt are often less noisy than through hole components and I have a Caline orange burst for years, it works like a charm in my second pedalboard , assuming every chinese product has the same quality is not the right approach: take a look at the picture you posted, the pots are medium-good quality, the build is neat, no wires flying around, the switch is average but, for example, the switch of my timmy died and I had to replace it (luckily I'm pretty skilled on the topic) , have I to consider the Timmy as low quality stuff? absolutely not, it's just that s*it might happen :D
 
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In case you could ask, Vemuran Jan Ray is ALMOST a clone of the Timmy , there are small differences in some values completely inaudible to my ears, the Greer Lightspeed is clearly a Timmy derivative , it differs in the output and it has a fixed bass cut frequency, you can have he lightspeed sound with a Timmy (or timmy clones) just turning the bass and treble cut pots in the right position and with the asymmetrical clip switch position ;)
 
in the original timmy absolutely not in my humble opinion, Cochrane used the pots in a certain way to actually use the effective pot film construction correctly (In the Timmy the Bass and Treble cuts are more effective turning the knobs clockwise, when you turn the pots completely to left there is no cut)
 
Ah a simple first order filter than, so if you wanted more or less cut you cut I assume you increase or decrease the pot value.

I've never looked in one, so I'll have to skim a schematic when I get some free time
 
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