Boss SP-1 Spectrum

[brad]

I found this auction for the Boss Spectrum, and it's at $450 with 4 days still to go.  Crazy mojo inside!

http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-BOSS-GUITAR-EFFECTS-PEDAL-SP-1-SPECTRUM-SP1_W0QQitemZ7365856224

I just happened to have the schematic lying around and since it's pretty simple, and the pedal is obviously sought after, I'm figurin' it'd probably be a good DIY project.  After all, why pay half a grand when you can build one for 5% of that!   What do ya reckon?

[brad]

Ack...is the first pot a dual log/anti-log?   I could swear I've seen a way to work around this kind of weird pot somewhere though.  If all is not lost, this pedal would probably make a nice stripboard project.

[brad]

so...no one has any opinions? 

[MartyMart]

Brad, I had one for a while ... er .... it didn't cost anywhere near that thankfully !!
Was not very impressed, kind of an enhancer circuit, boosting/smoothing higher
frequencies  etc
Sounded better on keyboards than on guitars IMO  !
There's much more mileage/Fun to be had from a good Phaser/Flanger
pedal .... etc etc

I wouldn't sweat over it too much 

MM.

[brad]

Ok thanks MartyMart 

The price and harmony central reviews had me thinking this must be a real magic box.

[krusen]

bringing old threads back to life

i axctually had a Boss SP-1 clone made, by a guy from the UK, in 2002.
i sold it to a friend of mine, but just got it back home today.
a GREAT build.

does anyone know him?

Stuart Cardiff i think it reads inide the hammond box.

i will post close-ups of the PCB, pots and whatnot, if anyone's interested?

[$uperpuma]

yessir.

[MetalGod]

bringing old threads back to life

i axctually had a Boss SP-1 clone made, by a guy from the UK, in 2002.
i sold it to a friend of mine, but just got it back home today.
a GREAT build.

does anyone know him?

Stuart Cardiff i think it reads inide the hammond box.

i will post close-ups of the PCB, pots and whatnot, if anyone's interested?

probably Stuart Castledine - checkout his website... www.wah-wah.co.uk

[krusen]

thanks.
that's him.
i'll post pics of it tomorrow. i only have a macbook's isight and an old crappy digital camera. but i'll do the best i can.

a friends wants it racked up

[MKB]

I had one of these for a long time, bought it in the early 80's ($50) as a local guitarist swore by them being placed in front of a JCM800 MV Marshall.  I couldn't get much out of it so I stuck it into the junk box.  Got it out a few months ago, spruced it up and sold it on ebay.  I LOVE junk boxes and ebay...

It's basically a wah pedal in a box.  That's it.  No mojo at all.  IMHO the only value in having one is selling it for the huge prices they are getting now.