This could be the best looking pedal I've built so far...

[Surgeon]

So why not show it off and brag about it?

DIY circuit called the Toecutter, designed by a moderator over at Freestompboxes.
Very distinctive fuzz, based around some old germanium transistors (GT313).

Here are a few pics... hope you like.

I wish I had remembered sooner that I bought some of those big labels...oh well.

 

[Hoss]

Re: This could be the best looking pedal I've built so far...

That's killer looking bro!!! :headbang:

 

[erksin]

Re: This could be the best looking pedal I've built so far...

Can I offer one critique without meaning to offend?

Nothing says 'DIY' to me more than the old white plastic footswitch washer. And it really sticks out to me against the brushed chrome knobs and toggle and subdued monochromatic graphic. I think that graphic would pop more if you had a metal washer under that switch.

All IMO and sorry if this comes off as rude, I certainly don't mean to be. The pedal looks great otherwise!

 

[Surgeon]

Re: This could be the best looking pedal I've built so far...

Hoss: thanks man!

Erskin: i take no offense. You are right but I'm yet to find a metal washer that satisfies me in that regard. Still there are plenty of "high-end boutique builders" (whatever that means nowadays) that do use these so I never felt like digging further than I already did for an acceptable replacement washer.
Thanks for the comment, it might be time for some washer search...

 

[Andrew Lamprecht]

Re: This could be the best looking pedal I've built so far...

Very nice looking, was it inspired by your tattoo artist?

 

[erksin]

Re: This could be the best looking pedal I've built so far...

Is the hole drilled a little too large and you need to reinforce it or something? Because you don't really require anything on the top of the pedal to secure that switch aside from the nut and a thin washer provided you're using the star washer on the underside.

We toss the white plastic washers that come on our switches - could probably fill a bath tub with them by now. lol

 

[Surgeon]

Re: This could be the best looking pedal I've built so far...

Very nice looking, was it inspired by your tattoo artist?

Not at all, just something I found on google that I liked... thanks though!

Is the hole drilled a little too large and you need to reinforce it or something? Because you don't really require anything on the top of the pedal to secure that switch aside from the nut and a thin washer provided you're using the star washer on the underside.

We toss the white plastic washers that come on our switches - could probably fill a bath tub with them by now. lol

Not at all, fit is pretty tight for everything. I guess there's a lot of laziness too as to why I just use those. Keep in mind that I only build for myself and don't intend to sell them, except a few exceptions to close friends so you and I must have a pretty different conception of what's acceptable or not.

Thanks for the input by the way, it's quite appreciated (from all of you)!

 

[SongsForTheDeaf]

Re: This could be the best looking pedal I've built so far...

love the knobs... looks like a alien remote control.. Highly digable my friend!

 

[Surgeon]

Re: This could be the best looking pedal I've built so far...

love the knobs... looks like a alien remote control.. Highly digable my friend!

Gracias amigo

 

[Mincer]

Re: This could be the best looking pedal I've built so far...

Nice! How'd ya do the paint? And are those waterslide decals?

 

[DankStar]

Re: This could be the best looking pedal I've built so far...

Wow, looks great! Why does the foot switch have its own little board, why not just go directly from the connectors?

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: This could be the best looking pedal I've built so far...

way cool

 

[Surgeon]

Re: This could be the best looking pedal I've built so far...

Nice! How'd ya do the paint? And are those waterslide decals?

Just spray paint in my garage. Decals are actually big transparent labels (avery transparent envelope labels for laser printers).

Wow, looks great! Why does the foot switch have its own little board, why not just go directly from the connectors?

Makes the wiring much simpler and neater to have a daughterboard for the switch. It also has a spot for the led limiting resistor. Makes it all quite neat, easier and faster to connect.

way cool

Thanks man!

 

[Kam]

Re: This could be the best looking pedal I've built so far...

Dude, that looks awesome. Nice work! :beerchug:

Maybe it's because it's you that posted it, but it reminds me of artwork that you'd see on an album by ETID or Torche or something.

How's it sound?

 

[That90'sGuy]

Re: This could be the best looking pedal I've built so far...

Easily one of the coolest looking pedals I've seen. Love the artwork, love the color, love the knobs - it's a winner in my book.

 

[Mad-Max]

Re: This could be the best looking pedal I've built so far...

That's a sweet looking pedal you got there mate

 

[Surgeon]

Re: This could be the best looking pedal I've built so far...

Dude, that looks awesome. Nice work! :beerchug:

Maybe it's because it's you that posted it, but it reminds me of artwork that you'd see on an album by ETID or Torche or something.

How's it sound?

Thanks for the compliment. There's nothing that's consciouly related to the bands you mentioned but who knows what happens on other levels in my crazy mind...
Sounds like an amp on the verge of melting... kinda crazy fuzz. It's based on old germanium transistors with a shunt resistor between the base and emitter (definitely not standard). I usually hate working with Ge transistors but these were all pretty trouble-free... This is definitely a fun build and distinctive pedal.
If you look closely, there's a tiny board right next to the power-supply jack. It's a voltage inverter so I can daisy-chain the pedal with others (PNP transistors require a positive ground, messing up the power supply chain).

Easily one of the coolest looking pedals I've seen. Love the artwork, love the color, love the knobs - it's a winner in my book.

You're way to kind...thank you!

That's a sweet looking pedal you got there mate

Thanks !

 

[Artie]

Re: This could be the best looking pedal I've built so far...

Nice! Why the name "toecutter"? Clips?

 

[Surgeon]

Re: This could be the best looking pedal I've built so far...

Nice! Why the name "toecutter"? Clips?

Sorry man, no clips, not very well equipped for those.

Toecutter is the name given by the guy who designed the circuit. If I remembe correctly, it's the name of a vilain in a movie I've never seen...

 

[Curly]

Re: This could be the best looking pedal I've built so far...

nice execution!

I like fuzz ... the white washer would be one of my least concerns.