NEW: CLEAN MIX
MOD!

Zombie
mod and Clean Mix
CLEAN + DISTORTION
...
Clean Mix Modification for DOD Supra
Distortion FX55C This mod brings the dual
tonality of clean and a high gain distortion. The
distortion is modified for smoother tone at low
gains and better mixed sound. The tone control
also gets a new mode for smooth tones and the
bypass system is improved.
The added Clean
Mix control is a volume control for the clean
tone, and is completely independent of the
distortion controls. The combination of this
control and the distortion Volume creates the
mix. The Gain and Tone controls allow combining
different dirt tones with the clean. The clean
signal range is from OFF to a +6 dB boost over
bypass. Since the distortion also is capable of
an almost-clean boost, when added together it
makes for a versatile booster.
The new Tone
circuit places the bassiest setting near the
center of its sweep. Progressing clockwise is
similar to the original circuit, which boosts
bass and treble, creating a "scooped"
midrange. But when turned "down"
instead, it boosts midrange with a smoothed-off
high end (this still de-emphasizes bass enough
that it can be used to balance the tone from high
to low). In particular, this makes for a lovely
effect of smooth, sustaining distortion when
mixed with the clean.
The clean mix mod
is more complex than the Zombie mod, requiring
the addition of an additional circuit stage for
the mixing. Even so, the Supra circuit board
welcomes this mod with a nice little space to
mount it, surrounded by relevant signals.
Full mod list:
THICKER bass. SMOOTHING circuit. Distortion
TEXTURE changes. These changes make for a less
aggressive pedal than originally, but almost as
metal on USABLE settings, and much better for
other sounds.
Dual function TONE control. MIX stage and
controls. 3 BYPASS mods: increased input
impedance (less load on your pickups),
anti-bleed, and improved components, resulting a
top-quality silent-switching, buffered bypass.
GAIN mod: there are actually 2 versions (at
least) of the FX55C. One has ten times as much
gain as the other, but the low gain settings are
difficult to control on the high gain version.
Diplomatically, I'm changing the gain control
(hence the new knob) on both versions to one that
allows the gain and tone quality of the high gain
version, but with smooth adjustment.
See soundclips
and pricing below._2.mp3
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OVERDRIVE-FUZZ ...
"Zombie" Modification for DOD Supra
Distortion FX55C This turns a mild-mannered
distortion pedal into a unique and versatile fuzz
-- and a great value. Features scary
"zombie" fuzz, turbulent, dynamically responsive
synth-like tones, "mixey" light
overdrive + fuzz tones, and industrial metal
sounds. It can also be used as a overdrive down
to dirty boost, and its gated overdrive
enables crazy boosting with controlled feedback.
The Supra uses two
stages of distortion and the first is modified
for a good overdrive style circuit with improved
bass and wider gain range. In overdrive circuit
style, there is a clean signal component at all
times mixing inphase with the distortion. This
becomes the primary distortion signal, and the
added Mix control adds in the second stage of
distortion, reversed in polarity (antiphase), subtracting
from the lower level of distortion, so that the
differences between the distortions can be
emphasized and the common signal can be
eliminated.
Revision 2 of my mod includes new
improvements from my Clean Mix project, with no
price increase: improved gain, even better
bypass, better tone, and a dual-action Tone
control -- since the Zombie mod produces a wider
range of tonalities to compensate for, the new
"left side" Tone control mode simply
allows a flatter response (i.e. variable tone
control bypass). The Zombie modification does not
produce any of the original sounds of the pedal.
TESTIMONIALS
Hey Bill--
Received the SupraZombie today, and just
spent an hour with it.. Verdict: GREAT!
You've managed to build both a subtle AND
extreme effect.. what you're doing is
unique, and I applaud you for it. This
thing cleans up wonderfully-- this is the
type of gritty overdrive that speaks to
me. On the other end, the fuzz on this
has a watery, synth-y, scuzzy beauty to
it. Totally musical--in fact, almost
every conceivable setting is suitable to
make MUSIC with. Versatile as all hell.
Also gotta praise you for the tone
control--with just a single knob, I can
dial in ideal lows, mids, and highs that
never sound muddy or brittle. Great
clarity overall.
I've recently sold off nearly all my
effects, and I don't think it's an
accident that I was drawn to the
SupraZombie. THIS is the pedal that I've
been looking for. I've spent far too much
time and money on boutique/modded pedals,
and in the end have had very little
enthusiasm for what I ended up receiving.
Additionally, each and every time I asked
other pedal builders to create something
unique out of a DOD Grunge or other
cheap-ass but highly mod-able pedal, I've
received either no reply or a blunt
"don't bother..cheap build, not
worth it." I love what you're
doing.. see, the Supra Distortion is
crappy in its stock form--that's
understood. You've transformed this
crappy pedal into something that I deem
highly desirable. I can already tell that
the SupraZombie is the proper piece of
gear to support my musical ideas. As a
recording tool, this thing is gonna be
the shit. Way to go, Bill!
--Craig
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SOUND
SAMPLES
CLEAN MIX MOD:
supra-cleanmix_2.mp3 -- 2nd half demos
stacking into overdrive; also has chorus in a few spots.
supra-cleanmix_3-w-fx.mp3 -- coil tap, with
chorus, echo, reverb.
ZOMBIE MOD:
NEW VERSION 2011
(w/ tube amp):
supz-zombi-rev2_1.mp3 -- 2:30 of stuff
supz-zombi-rev2_2.mp3 -- demos some
guitar volume and tone control usage
WITH MODELED AMP:
fx55c2z_dc-dv.mp3 -- using RP155
clean amp sim
fx55c2z_sc-compdr.mp3 -- through RP155
with a heavy compressor and
a crunchy Deluxe Reverb sound, plus singlecoil mode for
the first 3 min.
OLDER
BASIC SAMPLES (loud tube amp, humbuckers,
sorry dead strings):
gating out the
noise -- by adding a gated fuzz sound to
overdrive, the overdrive gets gated too! Starts with clean
reference for this set and how MIX is tuned for gating
(level boosted greatly).
overdrive only -- a non-mid-hump
overdrive sound (MIX =0).
metallish -- a slightly
fuzzed distortion.
zombie meanders -- synth-fuzz
noodling.
OTHER:
Forest_Babies_sample by
Eric Morris ... this is on top of metal
distortion. BC Rich NJ Beast, Guitar Research mini-stack
(371 KB, 128 kbps stereo, 0:23).
suprazomb_edit1.mp3 (by Bill) -- starts with sweep
through Zombie Mix control, etc. Ibanez RG-550
guitar w/bridge humbucker, prototype Spencer 15 tube amp,
Cele V30s (2x12), EV N/DYM 257A, boost pedal as preamp
(flat), soundcard (886 KB, 1:53) .
Availability/Pricing/Ordering
Modify your FX55C to Zombie FX55C2Z: $40.
Modify your FX55C to Clean Mix FX55C2C: $45.
Tonal and other individual mods mentioned above also
avail. seperately, inquire.
Complete pedals, as available, w/ mod total
$65-90 depending on condition and cost of base pedal.
(add s/h, US $8-12) ..
AVAILABLE as of 5/30/2011: 1- Clean Mix FX55C2C
SPECIAL $65 ; 1- base pedal FX55C, $25+mod to order
Send all
inquiries to 
Ordering Information
These
modifications can not be applied to the "55B"
version of the Supra or the original FX-55. DOD's FX-55C
utitilized an improved enclosure compared to their older
style, including a standard Boss-type AC adapter socket,
more solid switch treadle, attached battery door, and a
revised circuit.
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