EQ: Build or buy?

[Fuzzy-Train]

I recently sold my blues jr. to get a valve junior. The fender was just too much for bedroom volumes. Now I'm looking for an EQ.

I haven't noticed many DIY projects around for an EQ (except the ones from GGG and TP) but there seems to be a lot of cheap EQ's out there. The dano fish and chips for only $30 comes to mind.

What do you think? Build or buy an EQ?

[kurtlives]

Are you looking aer a 3 band EQ or something more elaborate...?

[Fuzzy-Train]

More elaborate.

[snoof]

BYOC has one in kit form.

[s.r.v.]

you could do the runoffgroove tonemender

[George Giblet]

I'd say you are better of buying it if you want a graphic EQ with sliders.  If you need a small number of bands with rotary pots, or, a parametric then building is an option.

[Faber]

Yeah, I'd say if you want something like a 7 or 10 band, just buy it, but something simple, make it!

[hellwood]

What do you think? Build or buy an EQ?

building an EQ makes no sense unless you are out to prove something or like to spend hours on end when you could just buy a DOD FX40-B!! they are cheap and they RULE!! they are quiet, and have more boost than other EQ's. DO IT! waste your time building a clone of a rare overpriced extinct dinosaur-of-a-pedal instead. thanks!

[DDD]

Buy.

[m-theory]

How about dialing in that Vjr, so you don't need an EQ?  They're remarkably simple to tinker with, and rather dramatic results can be had. 

If you MUST have an eq, I've got two 70's MXR 10 bands that I'm not using, and I'd surely part with at least one of them. 

[miqbal]

BUY:
You will learn how to put your money out of your wallet, how to put an order from ebay, and...
Just sit and relax..., it will arrive on the next two or three days.

BUILD:
You will learn how to put your money out of your wallet, how to put an order from SmallBear, how to solder, how to etch, how to drill, how to wire, how to use a solder sucker, how to truebypass your pedal, how to use a DMM for continuity test, how Millenium Bypass works, how a slider pot works, and...
You do sit but not so relax, and probably you'll get mad...

Well, I do this just for fun.

[Fuzzy-Train]

^ Already know how to do both of those things, thanks.

How about dialing in that Vjr, so you don't need an EQ?  They're remarkably simple to tinker with, and rather dramatic results can be had. 

If you MUST have an eq, I've got two 70's MXR 10 bands that I'm not using, and I'd surely part with at least one of them. 

Well, I already modified it with the Marshall mods. Which sound fantastic. I'm also planning on adding a NFB switch, bright switch (possibly) gain pot, and probably a tweed tone pot. I'm just not sure if it would be best to add a tone control or get an EQ... or both? I'm not sure how versatile the tone control will be either.

Thanks for the offer, but for my purposes, I think a 10 band EQ is just overkill.

Thanks for the help everyone.

[hellwood]

I think a 10 band EQ is just overkill.

have you played around w/ an EQ? its a mind blowing experience. there are sounds you could never imagine hiding from you. i just got a 7 band and 5 minutes after i got it , i started twitching for a 10 band!(i just dont know if its worth an extra $50) i cant believe i played for 30 years w/out one!! if you go get one now for $49.99 -you wont be sorry!

[kurtlives]

^ Already know how to do both of those things, thanks.

How about dialing in that Vjr, so you don't need an EQ?  They're remarkably simple to tinker with, and rather dramatic results can be had. 

If you MUST have an eq, I've got two 70's MXR 10 bands that I'm not using, and I'd surely part with at least one of them. 

Well, I already modified it with the Marshall mods. Which sound fantastic. I'm also planning on adding a NFB switch, bright switch (possibly) gain pot, and probably a tweed tone pot. I'm just not sure if it would be best to add a tone control or get an EQ... or both? I'm not sure how versatile the tone control will be either.

Thanks for the offer, but for my purposes, I think a 10 band EQ is just overkill.

Thanks for the help everyone.

I find the stock Tweed control pretty weak, mid you I have not tweaked it much...

I would add a tone control and buy an EQ.

[bigjim]

For what it will cost you I'd drop the tweed in 

I did and I really like the results, loads of info over on sewatt. its a pot and two caps !! £2 of parts, you gotta give it a go first !!

I also have c3 and c4 on switchs with different cap values so when ive got the amp on really quiet I can switch in a bit more bass as it can be a bit thin at low levels, but when its crancked I switch back so its not flabby

Loads of tone in the VJ

Jim

[Fuzzy-Train]

@ kurtlives and bigjim: What value caps are you/did you use for the tweed control? Stock 500pf and .0047uf? I have a spraugue orange drop and a mallory 150 in .0047uf, but I don't know which one would be best.

I think I'll grab a cheap Dano EQ from my local music shop,  and test it out without the tweed control than with to see which I like best. The store near me has a 30 day money back guarantee, so I can always return it if I don't like it.

[kurtlives]

I used a 500pf cap and 0.0047 Orange Drop....I am still tweaking it so those values will probably change.

I went for the orange drops cause I was looking for a Fender styled amp...They are sharp and are just Fendersih...If your Marshallizing yours you should be using Mallorys.

[bigjim]

Silver Mica - 330pF
     
Orange Drop 715 - 0,0056uF

Thats what I used