What makes D*A*M pedals so effing good?

[Coolhand78]

What is it that make David and Linzi's pedals so good? Is it the components that they use and the way they are assembled?

The circuits look quite simple to this untrained eye... I'm just really curious why they sound so much better than others who do the same sort of thing...

[Scott]

now THAT'S the 64,000 dollar question.

[zerorez]

If you have been playing for awhile and tried various pedals, you just know once to plug into DAM and play, the tone is there man!

[Coolhand78]

Its bizare... I can't understand what makes his pedals so much better.... Does he have some sort of stash of amazing NOS parts that no one else has access to? There's got to be something here...

I have to say that i love the fact that he doesn't goop his pedals... It's there for all to see... I guess that says a lot... Its like he's saying here have a go ya mug... If you think you can make this try it... Not like other builders who are insanely anal about there circuits...

[Jazzandmetal?]

Why ask why?

Some things just are.

[Scott]

the answer is in the small details. Always is. :)

[jerms]

basically the Cap'n knows how to tune these circuits with vintage germanium transistors like nobodys business!!! plus he can source said vintage transistors!! sure they're simple circuits, but they're deceptively simple... the fewer the parts, the more each individual component becomes important. some people can build pedals sure, some are really great! but the Captains sum is much greater than just the parts used! he has the ears and the knowledge to make vintage pedals better than most real vintage pedals.... or... instead of sorting thru several vintage units to find the sweet one, davids pedals are the sweet ones.

[JP30]

1. looks great.
i like Font and the Color of D*A*M pedals. Gray Hammerite were GREAT !!
and New style of D*A*M boxes are just Beautiful. and PAINT are very thick.

2. Made by some one who knows the fuzz.
Dave goes through a lots of stuff and does his reserch. study his circuit. actually study the original pedals to reproduce or improve the stuff.

3. use only quality components.

4. wiring are very clean.

5. comes with 5 year gurantee

6. Dave is a super cool guy, who doesn't ripp people off.
unlike some other BS builders.
great Attitude
He spends time and effort making his stuff good.

7. D*A*M pedal sounds Great
Germenium fuzz sounds like Germenium fuzz.
(and tuned right for my taste)
Meatheads are one of the Baddest Silicon fuzz in and out of this world.

8. list goes on and ON. and ALL the things that I posted here is true. they are very much work of art. Considering all this, D*A*M pedals are CHEAPEST pedals on the maket for the value. PLEASE don't just bit my words. please try out his pedal your self and see it for yourself

am I just a D*A*M fanboy ? Am I biased toward D*A*M pedals ? . . .

[Scott]

how does one go about tuning a germanium circuit?

[jerms]

how does one go about tuning a germanium circuit?

each germanium transistor, even if they're same designated part (ie. OC75... etc.), can be quite variable in their gain structure and internal leakage... and since most of these circuits have 2 or 3 transistors, you have to carefully select which ones will work together.

silicon transistors are much more consistent in their gains and have no leakage. thus making them easier to work with, but you still have to know your shit when designing and building with them.