Ludwig Phase II clone build.

[digi2t]

Not to load up the troubleshooting thread, here is the promised pics, and of course, video.

Still a bit of fine tuning left to do. I wouldn't mind turning the switching scheme on the fast/slow switch around. Right now the slow start is when the LED is on, and I find it counter-intuitive. Otherwise, I'm pretty happy with it. I added the optional 1M resistor that was found on the later units. I find that it tames a tiny bit on the high end sizzle.

I've got it on the bench now, hooked up to the scope. A little more twiddling, and she'll be perfect.

Cheers,
Dino

[glops]

Jesus!

[Greenmachine]

That's a whopper!  Good work.

[R.G.]

Very nice work indeed.

[Ronan]

Beautiful Dino, great planning, engineering, and execution, and nice boards from RG. I think it sounds better than the original.

[pinkjimiphoton]

mega props brother...

you are NOT jimi photon!!..lmao.

sounds great!! gonna listen LOUD tomorrow!!!

awesome job as always...

and love the ninja dog!!

[Govmnt_Lacky]

Dinooooooooooooooo          

AMAZING!!!!! Looks like you went with the same style enclosure as your String Ringer  

I love the way you connected the Expression pedal to the enclosure  

Awesome, awesome work. This may have single-handedly inspired me to try this build  

EDIT: If I can find some boards for it 

[R.G.]

If I had to guess, this will be the event that pushes us over into a new board run.

If that happens, I can make the updates that the brave (no kidding here!) first adopters have found and suggested. But it's still early days. We know it *can* work, and frankly, that's a bit amazing to me, considering the complexity of this great bustard.

[birt]

great work!

[digi2t]

If I had to guess, this will be the event that pushes us over into a new board run.

If that happens, I can make the updates that the brave (no kidding here!) first adopters have found and suggested. But it's still early days. We know it *can* work, and frankly, that's a bit amazing to me, considering the complexity of this great bustard.

If that`s the case, I`m going to have to update the tuning guide for the clone. What really helped me with the tuning was having an original on hand, and actually knowing what each mode was more or supposed to sound like. I hooked the clone up to the scope last night, and realized that some of the voltages, and waveshapes, didn`t quite match up with the original. I`m getting great formants mind you, but the numbers don`t match up very well. I suppose that the difference in transistors, resistors, capacitors should be the reason. I`m redoing the tuning part, and I`ll have to compare notes with «Grandpaw».

Insofar as complexity is concerned, one must pay due diligence to the part placement, and wiring. It`s like cooking pork... low and slow my brothers. Low and slow. Good lighting, a pencil, and a highlighter are de rigeur here. One at a time, and cross them off as you go. Highlight anything that befuddles you. One wire at a time, highlight it on the drawing. It`s a monk`s job, but well worth it.

I haven`t heard from Andy in a while, but I assume he`s still around here. If he`s up for another run of boards, I wouldn`t mind handling the logistical part again.

you are NOT jimi photon!!..lmao.

I just HAD to pay tribute to ya bro. Your vid`s make my miserable day at times. Tip of the hat to ya bother!  

Cheers all,
Dino

[pinkjimiphoton]

[digi2t]

Well, after some more tweaking and twiddling, I've got it to where I like it. I always liked that high-end fuzz "whizzz" you get when you go toe down in parallel mode, and I've got it spot on for that now. By readjusting the voltages and position of the pedal pot, I'm off to see the Whizzzzzzzzard.....

I've got the fuzz repeats really working well, and weeded out any oscillations. I've been A/B'ing with the original again tonight, and it's really outshining "Grandpaw". I can get a real good chop going. The fuzz is really solid as well, but I think I might try some different trannies for the fuzz though. maybe I'll stick some sockets in the Q5, Q6, and Q21 spots, and then do a "swap and shop" for the fuzz. Maybe some BC, or MPS series trannies might be interesting in here. What do you think R.G.?

I've been taking notes, and I think what I'll do is just write up a simplified set up guide. Basically, set the pedal pot to this position, set the trimmers to these resistances/voltages, etc, and that should get it up and running, ahem... out of the box. Sometimes I feel that if I go into too much detail, it might be easy to lose someone in all the mire. K.I.S.S. principle for the start up, and if anyone wants more detailed info, then they can check in here. As soon as I've got it written up, I'll send it to you R.G..

It should also be noted that the scope shots I had posted in the previous tuning guide, should not be used for tuning the clone. You can get one, or two waveforms close, but ultimately, there are some fairly big disparities between the old and the new. When I had both originals, I could get the waveforms almost the same on those units. But, fundamentally different components between the oldie and the clone, means your ear has to be the master. If anyone asks, I can post screenshots of the scope views in different modes. The original scope shots should be reserved for anyone who has an original unit.

[pinkjimiphoton]

well, fwiw, i think this one sounds alot closer to what i remember back in 78 when i first got mine.

outstanding bro!!

i think the sockets are a good idea, swapping around trannys may make the fuzz actually useable. 

[jdub]

Man, Dino, that is some truly beautiful work. Kudos!!  

I waaaaaaaaant one!  

[Ry]

Awesome!

Mine is so close, just need to get the animation working.  One of these days...

[pinkjimiphoton]

you'll get it , ry, don't give up bro!

[digi2t]

I've just posted a "quick and dirty" setup guide for the clone, in the debugging thread.

If anyone has questions, give me a shout.

[digi2t]

Here's a few more pics of it in full trim.









I also shot another video. I'm just blasting through the different settings, to give sound bytes. This might help anyone tuning it, to match a sound with the numbers I gave in the quick setup guide. Also covers the interaction of the Fuzz Mix knob in the Fuzz or Voice Fuzz modes. Here you go;

[petey twofinger]

excellent , hey whats the dogs name , if i may ask ?

i am digin the bolt on crybaby chassis 

thats just amazing to me , what you built there ,  its really humbling , i cant even begin to imagine a project of that magnitude so i will not ask any stupid questions like "how long did it take " ... the lewdvig , thats so awesome .

if you midi out of your gk-3 synth to another module , then run the straight signal thru the p2 , you would have triple synth , no ?

[digi2t]

excellent , hey whats the dogs name , if i may ask ?

i am digin the bolt on crybaby chassis 

thats just amazing to me , what you built there ,  its really humbling , i cant even begin to imagine a project of that magnitude so i will not ask any stupid questions like "how long did it take " ... the lewdvig , thats so awesome .

if you midi out of your gk-3 synth to another module , then run the straight signal thru the p2 , you would have triple synth , no ?

The pooch is Sammy.  If I hit the right notes, he'll sing too.

There's no such thing as a stupid question man, only stupid answers. It took me about 3 months from start to finish. Most of it was spent waiting on parts, some of it motivating myself, and the rest on tuning  .

I do run my entire rig in stereo, so it's going to be interesting running this next to the GR-50.