LDO vs FUDD

[Frenster]

Ok, with a little help from rewog (polyester caps, carbon comps and good advice) I built my LDO tribute (read clone or replica if you need to) which I named the FUDD (Frenster Ultimate Dynamic Drive) and finally put it next to jim1jams LDO. I got the kit from General Guitar Gadgets and paid a little extra for the mods kit which has stuff to make their "Expensive Boutique Mods". I also added a little extra switch for their AMZ Fat Boost mod which can boost the gain and lows tremendously. With it engaged, the tone knob at 3:30 or 4 o'clock, and the gain knob at 10 o'clock, it's a great low gain boost with lots of lows. For the testing we didn't use it, as it's not on the LDO

We put them next to each other and did a blind test at different gain and clipping settings.

We couldn't tell the difference between the two. I guess I must have found some pixie dust or something because with a little tweaking, they were indistinguishable from each other. At one point I thought the LDO had more low mids, then I simply turned the tone down on the FUDD and they sounded the same.

As far as the price of the LDO goes, all I can say is it took me all night to assemble this thing and if I had charged by the hour I'm sure I could get $400 or $500 for it. Assembling a pedal, especially one so neatly wired AND with a cool paint job is time consuming and a bargain at $400. Landgraff makes a beautiful pedal. You won't see me making pedals for profit, I'll tell you that! Too much work. Pain in the butt. God Bless all the boutique pedal builders out there making a quality product. It's no walk in the park.

But my $75 FUDD sounds just as good AND has the extra Fat Boost switch, so it's even more versatile. And I assembled it myself, which is always satisfying.

HA!

btw, I still like my Tim better, but am auditioning the Pure Drive and digging it much.

[cbpickin]

I was waiting to hear back on this. Congrats on having the cajones to do it yourself. I really need to improve my own soldering skills before I can attempt to build anything, but good for you!

[rewog]

Hey Frenster

I'm so glad our little experiment turned out a success !!

There was no logical reason that it shouldn't... if it's the same circuit and the same parts... it should sound the same.

You have a pedal that you can enjoy, and the pride of having built it yourself, as well as adding a few options.

:AOK

[Deaj]

Did you build this pedal as per the instructions for the kit? Also, did the mod kit come with instructions? Did you make any additional mods? I'm very interested in building one of these!

[CBeeper]

Kit's on sale now and I had to order one. $69 shipped with the mod kit. Can't go wrong if you ask me.

[rewog]

Here's the original thread that started this little project, where some suggested that the LDO couldn't be easily duplicated :-

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/sho...d.php?t=313001

[Frenster]

Basically I followed the instructions to build the 808 with the "Expensive Boutique Mod". Landy used the polyester caps and carbon comps so rewog was kind enough to supply me with them so I could be as true as possible. I also added the AMZ mod right out of their instructions, so I have a 3 way clipping switch and a 2 way fat boost switch.

I'm not sure how much the carbon comps and polyester caps have to do with the sound, but it's probably something...especially the resistors. I'm gonna try a couple of caps on the AMZ switch and see which one I like the most. The fat boost is way over top and could use some taming.

[dividedsky]

Can you do some clips?

[Frenster]

Unfortunately, I don't have much ability here to do any clips. I'll see what I can get my video camera working.

[Deaj]

I ordered the GGG kit and mods kit this afternoon. This should be fun!

[GDking]

Originally Posted by phishmarisol

Can you do some clips?

Nah he can solder a pedal together flawlessly and easily but that whole mind boggling clip thing sends him for a loop.

Never said it is not easy to build a clone for some people, it is, but my point still stands that it is not easy for a lot of people, and I got an "I told you so" kind of smug PM from rewog with this "win".

My smug reply of "clips or it never happened" is of course the logical course of action.

Make some clips, and offer an alternative product, save the world.

Done here.

[rewog]

Man, you have a really bad attitude.

My pm to you was in no way smug. It was just to let you know the test had been done, and I made that VERY clear.
Why don't you post the pm so everyone can see what I said, and wonder what your problem is.

If you think a clip will show you the nuances of 2 similar pedals, then you're a dreamer.

What a waste of time trying to show something to someone who's mind is already closed !!

[rewog]

Here's the pm I sent to GDKing.
Does anyone think this reads as a smug "I told you so".

Hi GDKing

Just in case you missed here... here's a link to the result of the Langraff discussion from a few weeks ago.
I'm not trying to be a sm@rt@ss or anything, just thought you'd be interested, as you had a lot to do with the experiment taking place.

Let me know your thoughts...

Cheers
Greg

[LVC]

Congrats man I am sure it sounds great.

I love my two Landgraff pedals.

I wish god would have endowed me with great musical and soldering skills.... unfortunately he was off that day.

[dividedsky]

Originally Posted by rewog

If you think a clip will show you the nuances of 2 similar pedals, then you're a dreamer.

If they are real close then no you won't be able to tell any differences in clips which would kind of prove the point that the GGG is super close to the Landy. I like both you guys and I'm not trying to get in a big debate, I just wanted to hear the pedals.