| Author |
 Topic  |
|
ChristoMephisto
Platinum Member
Canada
1288 Posts |
 Posted - 05/28/2009 : 23:05:31
|
There's also the Univibe mod...
copied this off of freestomp or something, have yet to try it but I hear it works great
Danelectro Chicken Salad Vibrato Mod (Univibe Conversion)
Few have heard of this wonderful little pedal but let me tell you it rocks, it says it's a vibrato pedal though in reality its a univibe clone, and a really good one at that. It uses the same photocell technology as the original and the sound really comes across as the unique warble of the old vintage vibes. Stock, the unit is not that impressive it, kinda sounds like a cheesy phaser but if you mod it you will have a univibe for $30 or less. First you must open up the battery cover and remove the two circuit boards within. On the second one there will be a little black box that has been epoxied, more on that later. To your left you should see a small trimpot, it too is epoxied, remove the adhesive and rotate the pot counter clockwise until it stops then ever so slightly rotate the pot clockwise maybe by 5 degrees or so, this should provide the optimal lamp brightness. Make note of the pot's position. Now move on to the little black box, carefully remove the surrounding epoxy and open the small lid, you should see a lamp and four surrounding photocells, the photocells cant really be moved so leave them there, now one of the keys to the original vibe's warble was the reflective housing that shielded ambient light from the photocells, you can recreate this fairly well by attaching a thin piece of tin foil to the underside of the lid facing downwards. Once the foil is attached carefully poke holes through the four holes on the lid, as these holes join up with posts that keep the lid in place. After all that reassemble the pedal. |
 |
|
|
Laurie
Double Platinum Member
Canada
4854 Posts |
Posted - 05/28/2009 : 23:11:10
|
quote:
Originally posted by ChristoMephisto
There's also the Univibe mod...
copied this off of freestomp or something, have yet to try it but I hear it works great
Danelectro Chicken Salad Vibrato Mod (Univibe Conversion)
Few have heard of this wonderful little pedal but let me tell you it rocks, it says it's a vibrato pedal though in reality its a univibe clone, and a really good one at that. It uses the same photocell technology as the original and the sound really comes across as the unique warble of the old vintage vibes. Stock, the unit is not that impressive it, kinda sounds like a cheesy phaser but if you mod it you will have a univibe for $30 or less. First you must open up the battery cover and remove the two circuit boards within. On the second one there will be a little black box that has been epoxied, more on that later. To your left you should see a small trimpot, it too is epoxied, remove the adhesive and rotate the pot counter clockwise until it stops then ever so slightly rotate the pot clockwise maybe by 5 degrees or so, this should provide the optimal lamp brightness. Make note of the pot's position. Now move on to the little black box, carefully remove the surrounding epoxy and open the small lid, you should see a lamp and four surrounding photocells, the photocells cant really be moved so leave them there, now one of the keys to the original vibe's warble was the reflective housing that shielded ambient light from the photocells, you can recreate this fairly well by attaching a thin piece of tin foil to the underside of the lid facing downwards. Once the foil is attached carefully poke holes through the four holes on the lid, as these holes join up with posts that keep the lid in place. After all that reassemble the pedal.
Yeah, put in the foil mod (hence the gaffer tape around the photocell box) and moved the trim-pot off the board - it is the "width" control (not really width, but i had to call it something).
I'm pretty happy with the result. |
|
|
|
nathanscribe
Silver Member
United Kingdom
376 Posts |
Posted - 05/29/2009 : 00:40:24
|
That's a lovely paint job Laurie. What did you use?
I'm currently leaving my DIY units unpainted, with adhesive labelling - I harbour dreams of perfect paintjobs... |
|
|
|
Ollie
Gold Member
United Kingdom
729 Posts |
Posted - 05/29/2009 : 00:57:40
|
| Just curious if you could make another one try and flog it as a handwired boutque univibe effect. I bet it'll make you top dolla :D |
|
|
|
zestystrat
Silver Member
USA
283 Posts |
Posted - 05/29/2009 : 03:21:16
|
| Screw my Mega vibe, I want a Chicken Laurie vibe!!!!! |
|
|
|
Laurie
Double Platinum Member
Canada
4854 Posts |
Posted - 05/29/2009 : 05:48:11
|
Thank you all 
The paint is straight out of a spray can - Chrysler metallic green touch-up paint from Canadian Tire, with a thick coat of clear over the top.
I'd like to make a few more, but it truly was too much work - a labour of love (or pedal madness). I even said to Mrs. Laurie "this is crazy, for $300 I could have just bought a boutique vibe and saved a day's work..." That being said, I'd probably do it again if I had the time over again 
Here are a few more pics in case anyone is interested.
|
Edited by - Laurie on 05/29/2009 06:00:57 |
|
|
|
Goran
Double Platinum Member
Sweden
2203 Posts |
Posted - 05/29/2009 : 07:22:48
|
Laurie, did you hear any difference with the foil mod???
I didn�t but it�s a bit hard to judge as the are some time gone between with and without the foil.
|
|
|
|
Laurie
Double Platinum Member
Canada
4854 Posts |
Posted - 05/29/2009 : 14:30:20
|
quote:
Originally posted by Goran
Laurie, did you hear any difference with the foil mod???
I didn�t but it�s a bit hard to judge as the are some time gone between with and without the foil.
So much changed that it is hard to tell. I think the biggest change comes from the trim-pot. |
|
|
|
Topic |
|
Danelectro Chicken Salad vibe REHOUSED
