So, I have a friend that plays in a pretty heavy band that's kind of a mix of hardcore and rock n' roll. Right now he's on his second Danelectro Fab Tone because his first broke after heavy use. His band is pretty popular around in the "underground scene" around the country, and they tour heavily, so his gear all gets lots of abuse. Anyway, he asked me if I would build him a distortion pedal that would take lots of abuse and sound great. He says he's reasonably happy with the Fab Tone, but would like something that has a good solid distortion for general use and can also get into some crazy squealing type territory. I've always been an overdrive man myself, so I don't have any experience with distortions. I guess he's played a Marshall Guvnor and didn't really like it. Based on these criteria, could someone suggest something that might be a good fit. Oh yeah, here's an mp3 of the band if that would help with suggestions. His gear is a telecaster with humbucker in the bridge going into a JCM800. I guess it's natural builtin gain isn't manical enough for his taste.

http://www.noidearecords.com/mp3s/AOPHurts.mp3

It's really subject to the player.  Build a few and have him hear them.

Read this topic for more info on that line:
http://www.diystompboxes.com/sboxforum/viewtopic.php?t=32681

Why don't you put the circuit from his Fab-Tone in a good sturdy box?

RDV

lsiten to RDV, or try BSIAB II
http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=150&Itemid=178
its a heavy metal pedal, i believe, im gonna build mine next weekend...

Quote from: RDVWhy don't you put the circuit from his Fab-Tone in a good sturdy box?

RDV

Good idea, but that takes all the fun out of experimenting with distortion pedals  :wink: . I guess I could build the BSIAB and if he doesn't like it just rebox the fabtone. Thanks for the suggestions guys.

Hi

Well depending,having played a Guvnor I would say

that a Big Muff Pi is covering a greater territory :wink:

Hope this helps

Greetings JMErnzer

Here's two good choices if you want to try something new:
http://www.runoffgroove.com/3leggeddog.html

http://www.diystompboxes.com/analogalchemy/pedals/obsidian.html

Gringo's Joe Davisson pcb pack will give you two options on the Obsidian
http://gr1ng0.tripod.com/Downloads/dl.html

I'd rebox a fabtone. It's rather a complex curcuit with tone shaping that I haven't seen duplicated in DYI yet. Maybe a modded Boss Heavy Metal??

Quote from: Mojah63I'd rebox a fabtone. It's rather a complex curcuit with tone shaping that I haven't seen duplicated in DYI yet.

A fabtone is a marshall guvnor IIRC. Lots of diy-ers have built it.

Doug