Build Your Own Clone Squeezer Clone

This was a kit, and I'd have to say that not only is it easy to put together, but operation could not be more simple. There's one sound, and if you don't like it, you're screwed. (Actually there is an internal trimpot that adjusts the compression amount, but wherever you put it, the pedal still has a particular character.) It's evidently a copy of the Dan Armstrong Orange Squeezer, except made with good parts, true bypass, and a gain knob. The gain is pretty significant, and you could easily use this as a compressor/booster at the end of your chain.

Very good. Solid, strong compression. Nice and plucky without sounding excessively Nashvillized. The response as you increase and decrease picking strength is very distinctive and characterful.

It's only as good as my soldering skills, but the box, switch, pot and other parts are absolutely the best around. If you take your time and build it well, there is no reason for anything to break.

Keith at www.buildyourownclone.com is very friendly. He's presently expanding the line of kits. Actually this one may be discontinued in favor of a Ross comp clone--it's out of stock anyway, and I talked him into making me a kit with a leftover, flawed circuit board, because I really wanted one. And as it happens the board was fine--his quality standards are high--I just had to fix a trace.

I love this little thing! Small, solid, tight and great-sounding. Highly recommended.