Keeley Katana?

I think I'm catching the making guitar pedals bug.

I really want to make a two in one comp/overdrive. Really simple circuits (orange squeezer, DOD OD 250) but it resembles an ambitious project because it's TWO.

It is mad addictive once they start working right. I didn't like the orange squeezer that much, though it was simple, i found it too relatively subtle. My favorite compressor was/is the Dynacomp/Ross/Janglebox. Pretty complex build but it can do lighter comp like the orange squeezer or it can do a much more goofballs slammed comp that is fantastic. Hard to build small enough to double box with something else though; my stripboard version of it takes up most of a 1590BB all by itself.

The OD250 is nice into a loud amp though. I much preferred it to the very similar Distortion+.

My diy journey is now branching off into solid state amps i think. After fixing and using a friend's Sunn Alpha 212r, i have decided that i kind of really really want one. And i am going to attempt to build a simplified(non-reverb) version of some sort for myself in maybe a head format.

ALSO. Last night i finally did it, after years of thinking about it but not wanting or being able to commit the money to it. I HAVE PURCHASED A WELDER. Shit is about to get real. I hope i don't burn anything down in the process of learning to use the thing.

oh... what flavor of weldage are you planning on sir?

Arc? Mig? tig? ohhhh, tell me what you are planning to destroy....

I have a Hobart Mig 140 on the way. One of the bigger/better options without going to having to run wire to a dedicated 220v outlet.

Foar now i will just be using flux core to learninate it all.

Later on i will look into getting a gas tank though, because it is supposed to be better for the thin gauge stuff, and later, i also would really like to try to get into aluminum at some point as well.

The main reason i was able to justify buying it, is that i love old rusty cars and want to, if i can learn it well enough, take matters into my own hands with that shit.

If i can figure out how to rock it well enough, i have a long list of additional trouble i'd like to get into with it, though.

ahhh yes, I know the welding well. My parents in the automocar business and all. I spent my first 10 years of labor as a body and fender man although thruthfully the taught me the patince to be the painter there.

Welding can be loads of fun.

I really dislike heavier comp effects on guitar, and I like a lot the clips I've heard of the orange squeezer, so... Plus I can up the ambition by having each half of the pedal use a half of the dual opamp!

AH! So if i can't figure it out, i will be traveling to LI so you can show me how not to be a hack!

Apparently I am going to see Carcass on Monday. I was unaware of this, or even that they were playing an off night in Buffalo, at a venue a block or two from my old haus. But a friend of mine had an extra ticket, and I'm not about to say no.

I'm quitting guitar. I cried when I sold my old ibanez 370dx last week. Good times. Remainders are in classifieds.

Why you gonna go and do that now?

Havent played since july. Have all this sweet loot collecting dust. My place looks like I'm hoarding, so i'm cutting the crap. Keeping the semi acoustic though, its travel size.

It became more like an amp collection than an I play guitar thing. I'm over it.

I get it. Loot can always be reacquired in some form or other in the future anhyhoo, if need be. It is only stuff.

I probably would have done that myself a couple of times over the past, if i didn't only buy worthless cheapo crap that no one else will buy.

My suggestion: Keep one of your most favourite of everything, because you'll never know when you want to get back into it.

yes. I stopped at one point for a few years. I was lucky to have put stuff into storage.

Carcass was excellent. Saw 'em in a small club in Buffalo. I spoke to current 2nd guitarist Ben Ash briefly after the show about gear. They had the mini-5150 IIIs and matching cabs; apparently this was Bill Steer's idea to drive the amps a bit harder live. Bill was unavailable for comment as one of my friends was having his picture taken with him at the time. They seem like a decent buncha blokes.

Obligatory gear content: Bill's pedalboard- TC Polytune, MXR Micro Amp, MXR Carbon Copy. Ben's Pedalboard- Korg Pitchblack (I think), Moog MF Boost, Morley wah (he likes the optical sensor and how it cuts through; my friend and I were surprised at the quality of his wah sound as we don't like the things), MXR Carbon Copy. Jeff Walker's rig was simple. Ampeg SVT-2 Pro and 2x Ampeg Classic 4x10s.

That sounds gnar. Carcass are so gnar. I blasted them at work today. I've been doing so much stupid overtime and my eyes are sore from nervously blinking due to the toxic atmosphere as of late. But at least when it's overtime, it's DGAF o'clock and I can play death metal.

I had to fill in on bass at practice last night and whilst I was fun for a few songs, ultimately it kinda sucked guess I just prefer guitar. It was fun bringing the low end thunder though but it's not for me full time. The squier jaguar sounded really good plugged into a proper amp (can't remember what it was), nice lairy rock bass sound. I was also stood next to the drummer and now my ears are hurting bad. Feels like how I've heard tinnitus described and it sucks, hopefully it'll go away soon. May puchase some ear plugs once we start gigging.

Also the other guitarists tone was absolutely spot on last night - standard tele straight into his JCM800 through a 4x12 with a boss overdrive for lead boosts. One of the nicest toans I've ever heard. It makes my setup sound like overly gainy mushy mess I was surprised that I much preferred the regular tele pickups to the p90s in his other guitar as well, actually sounded a lot fuller and less harsh/scratchy.

Speaking of basses, I just bought a Warwick Corvette 5-string. Thing's been sitting in the guitar store near the university for two years; dude cut me a deal. Now it is sitting in my living room. So much more comfortable than my current 5, the neck on which feels like a P-Bass scaled up. This feels like a Jazz scaled down. Very fast. Very small body. My bassist was jamming on it at rehearsal today and it was distorting the fuck out of the Sansamp though, so I gather the pickups/preamp are pretty damn hot. I'm loving the clarity on the low B, though. I think this makes bass number... 5? Since the beginning of Maps. I can never settle on one for more than a couple years, it seems.

I shoulda asked Bill about his Les Paul- there was something funny about it- but he was busy. So I asked Dr. Google after someone posted some photos of the show. He was playing a '61 Melody Maker. From what I gather, he's been playing an LP Junior with a single dog-ear P90 as well. I approve of this.

They sounded great. The current drummer is excellent- solid groove, not stiff at all, and that man works the ride cymbal like nobody's business. I think they played to a click as he never counted off, and the lights were synced perfectly. They even played something off Swansong. (Keep On Rotting In The Free World.) Anyhoo, yes, twas excellent. And I'm falling asleep at my 'puter, it seems.