SiloScience
06-28-2008, 02:35 PM
Hello everyone. This is a custom pedal that was designed for Solon Smith of the Johnny Hiland band (poor guy waited forever for this ... we kept improving it on him!). It is a version of our Gemini that isn't offered on our website. This is a total custom, and it turned out so nice, that I am posting it here to give it some exposure, and possibly offer it as one of our available designs.
It basically is the same circuit of ours that is in the Valven, twice (at least that's where we started, per Solon's request). The Gemini is a true 2 channel OD that uses 2 of our Valven circuits along with the Tone Plug situation. You have independent Gain, Tone, Volume, Boost, and Tone Plug selections per channel.
This particular Gemini has a few other things going for it. We've got an OD with a more traditional sounding ~mid humpy~ type tone usually associated with a TS808 on channel A. Channel B has twice the gain/distortion as channel A, less mid hump, and more bass response as well. Normally, there are only the 2 footswitches to operate the 2 channels, each channel is either bypassed or engaged. This Gemini has that ability, plus a Master Bypass to bypass the entire pedal in one stomp. If you're using both channels at once (they're hard wired in series) you can (true!) bypass everything with a single stomp. There is also an FX loop in this one. 4 jacks in back .. (L to R) = Main In, Send, Return, Main Out. Send and Return are hard wired together in series until you insert something in to either the Send or Return jack, then the signal is automatically redirected to the inserted device. Using either true bypass footswitch for either channel has zero affect on the FX loop, however the Master Bypass (center footswitch) true bypasses the whole pedal, including everything in the loop.
We had to completely change the entire layout for Solon to accomodate the extra jacks for the FX loop and 3rd footswitch, so it really is a completely redesigned Gemini.
Built like everything else I make. Everything is hand ground flat (no machines used) and handstamped (the stamps I use are over 40 years old, with the "low D" and everything. That old stamp set has become a part of the Farndurk "brand". I'm doomed to that low D forever now, it's become part of the trademark!:jo). Stainless Steel flat and lock washers used throughout (no plastic or zinc plated stuff), and nearly everything with threads has been Loctited as well. We can build them with or without Tone Plug ports (we offer multi-voiced options when Tone Plugs are opted out).
Sounclips .. yes.
This ended up a lot like our Azura pedal (think JTM45 with a nice comp in one pedal) ... 2 circuits with FX loop and Master Bypass. We have several other circuits we can "combo" up like this, too. Thanks for looking, this may end up as an available model yet!
Silo ....
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk101/SiloScience/GeminiSolon-RearView-001.jpg
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk101/SiloScience/GeminiSolonTop-001.jpg
It basically is the same circuit of ours that is in the Valven, twice (at least that's where we started, per Solon's request). The Gemini is a true 2 channel OD that uses 2 of our Valven circuits along with the Tone Plug situation. You have independent Gain, Tone, Volume, Boost, and Tone Plug selections per channel.
This particular Gemini has a few other things going for it. We've got an OD with a more traditional sounding ~mid humpy~ type tone usually associated with a TS808 on channel A. Channel B has twice the gain/distortion as channel A, less mid hump, and more bass response as well. Normally, there are only the 2 footswitches to operate the 2 channels, each channel is either bypassed or engaged. This Gemini has that ability, plus a Master Bypass to bypass the entire pedal in one stomp. If you're using both channels at once (they're hard wired in series) you can (true!) bypass everything with a single stomp. There is also an FX loop in this one. 4 jacks in back .. (L to R) = Main In, Send, Return, Main Out. Send and Return are hard wired together in series until you insert something in to either the Send or Return jack, then the signal is automatically redirected to the inserted device. Using either true bypass footswitch for either channel has zero affect on the FX loop, however the Master Bypass (center footswitch) true bypasses the whole pedal, including everything in the loop.
We had to completely change the entire layout for Solon to accomodate the extra jacks for the FX loop and 3rd footswitch, so it really is a completely redesigned Gemini.
Built like everything else I make. Everything is hand ground flat (no machines used) and handstamped (the stamps I use are over 40 years old, with the "low D" and everything. That old stamp set has become a part of the Farndurk "brand". I'm doomed to that low D forever now, it's become part of the trademark!:jo). Stainless Steel flat and lock washers used throughout (no plastic or zinc plated stuff), and nearly everything with threads has been Loctited as well. We can build them with or without Tone Plug ports (we offer multi-voiced options when Tone Plugs are opted out).
Sounclips .. yes.
This ended up a lot like our Azura pedal (think JTM45 with a nice comp in one pedal) ... 2 circuits with FX loop and Master Bypass. We have several other circuits we can "combo" up like this, too. Thanks for looking, this may end up as an available model yet!
Silo ....
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk101/SiloScience/GeminiSolon-RearView-001.jpg
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk101/SiloScience/GeminiSolonTop-001.jpg