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Keeley Boss FA-1 Clone!!!


gregovertone

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believe you me....i'm WELL taken care of.

 

the hwa fa-1 will only leave if it is pried out of my cold dead hands.

 

 

i was just searching through old threads, and i found your initial fa-1 posts.....someone mentioned the keeley fa, and i was just curious to see how it panned out.

 

 

i'd have no problem owning 2....

 

 

did you see the thread about the fuzzwork?

 

you've struck gold sir, and i hope you keep up the killer work.

 

im certain you could see hundreds of each, if you felt the desire to go balls out.

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Last time I talked to RK, he said that the whole Fender connection has kept them pretty busy expanding their current lineup...not as much time to work on development of new stuff. But once they get adjusted he said he'd have some fun stuff out (like the FA-1 and his delay).

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Originally posted by erksin

Basically an MXR Micro Amp with tone controls then? Not my thing...

YOU COULDN'T BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH! :eek:

 

Here's a little geek talk:

MXR Micro Amp = op-amp (IC) based 'lineair' clean boost. Max output somewhere around +24dB or so.

 

Boss FA-1 FET Amplifier = FET boost (with some op-amps thrown in), with an ACTIVE Bauxandall 2-band EQ (treble & bass).

Don't take my word for it, but I wouldn't be suprised if it goes well over +30dB. It's WAY friggin' louder AND it has an added low-cut switch, which helps for Les Pauls or other warm/full/boomy sounding guitars.

 

The FA-1 stays cleaner way longer.

 

@Gregovertone; I don't think I did. It kinda baffles me though that I haven't heard one negative word about the Fuzzwork, yet there's only 1 review (Stereotypy's) in the HC database.

 

I hope to build more of them, when I got some more spare time, AND find a decent & affordable silk screener.

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Originally posted by Speeddemon

YOU COULDN'T BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH!
:eek:

Here's a little geek talk:

MXR Micro Amp = op-amp (IC) based 'lineair' clean boost. Max output somewhere around +24dB or so.


Boss FA-1 FET Amplifier = FET boost (with some op-amps thrown in), with an ACTIVE Bauxandall 2-band EQ (treble & bass).

Don't take my word for it, but I wouldn't be suprised if it goes well over +30dB. It's WAY friggin' louder AND it has an added low-cut switch, which helps for Les Pauls or other warm/full/boomy sounding guitars.


The FA-1 stays cleaner way longer.


@Gregovertone; I don't think I did. It kinda baffles me though that I haven't heard one negative word about the Fuzzwork, yet there's only 1 review (Stereotypy's) in the HC database.


I hope to build more of them, when I got some more spare time, AND find a decent & affordable silk screener.

 

I always thought the Micro Amp was FET based - I'll stand corrected then!

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alas, no. That's probably why they have very different distorting characteristics. If you let the FA-1 distort, it's already INSANELY loud, but it distorts/clips in an almost vintage Fender tweed amp way. Whereas the Micro Amp gets nastier.

 

The FA-1's schematic is also quite a bit more complex than the rather simple Micro Amp.

 

Even objectively speaking, the FA-1 is one of the nicest sounding and most versatile clean boosts I've come across. I really like it, when Bass and Treble are on '2 o' clock', Low-cut switch ON and volume between 2 and 3 o' clock. Makes a guitar fatter AND tighter at the same time.

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Originally posted by Speeddemon



@Gregovertone; I don't think I did. It kinda baffles me though that I haven't heard one negative word about the Fuzzwork, yet there's only 1 review (Stereotypy's) in the HC database.


I hope to build more of them, when I got some more spare time, AND find a decent & affordable silk screener.

 

 

well, i can assure you, that when i try it out through a few more amps, and with a few more guitars...ill be able to give a more accurate review.

 

 

hopefully a month......holidays are rough :)

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Originally posted by Wilbo26

Yes PLEASE make some more clones and sell one too me Speeddemon!
:wave:

I just noticed that Kirk @ Pedalpartsplus has a new color in stock. I hope he replies to my emails ASAP, so I can check out whether that color is good for the FA-1's. In that case, I'll make you the first powdercoated one! :)

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Originally posted by Speeddemon

I just noticed that Kirk @ Pedalpartsplus has a new color in stock. I hope he replies to my emails ASAP, so I can check out whether that color is good for the FA-1's. In that case, I'll make you the first powdercoated one!
:)

 

Hurray!

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Speeddemons are great, I got some boards from him and they work fine. If you can get one from him I highly recommend it.

 

We've made several units up, we have boards for a few more. Have enough electronic parts for 100 more if there is demand.

 

He laid out the parts on the board to look like the originals, even finding the right color caps! Nice Mojo :)

 

fa-1clone.jpg

 

Here is our protoype, very plain looking. We dont try make them look like the Boss like his, but not usually this Ugly Betty like.

 

fa-1-clone.jpg

 

I think they are a nice crunchy boost pedal, not that clean, they have some soul.

 

have fun!

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