26 May Update on the SVDS Replica: Production started!
Update as per 26th May, please find riginal post below
Dear members,
just want to give you an update on the progress.
Our tech Markus found a few smaller problems on the initial circuit design and had to redo it. Thats bad news basically, but the work was already done when you’re reading this.
Since we have a new circuit now, we want to hear it and test it again together with you all, before we give it into production. This means, another prototype will be made and Fil will
test it and demo it for you.
During the upcoming week, the PCB boards are made, then the prototypes will be assembled by our tech Markus.
Sometimes, you get stuck with just a detail, in this case it’s the replica’s case enclosure. We want it as close as possible to the original, which takes a big effort, because no pre-made industrial case fits our needs. So it will be custom made and printed like the original exclusively for us. We just found a company which will handle the case labelling for us.
So, while it’s silent here, be assured that we’re working on it in the background. We are even testing a decent, not too expensive modern wireless unit that will fit the replica’s needs perfectly, since the replica itself will not contain wireless functionality.
As soon as it makes sense (when we know the final costs and prizes) we will open a prescription list.
Thank you for your patience,
Franz
End update, please find original posting below
Dear members,
before I explain the title of this post, please let me introduce you to Markus.
Markus is a very experienced electronics technician here in Vienna, Austria. He is not only a electronics engineering graduate, but also has a lot of experience in the production of electronic and electrical devices. He builds his own tube amps, he is working on his own line of studio monitor speakers, and in general, his special interest is audio electronics.
Yesterday, Markus took over the job of producing the replica. We both signed his contract and NDA agreements and Markus took over Guido’s fantastic pioneer work and examined an original SVDS.
Markus signing contracts
Proud Markus with SVDS
In the above photo you see a Vega Pro 63. This unit is not functional but its metal case has the exactly same dimensions as the original SVDS, so this one was handed over as a sample in order to reproduce an authentic enclosure for the replica.
So, what are the next steps? Short answer: preparing the batch production.
Long answer: Markus will manually build a handful of prototypes again, exactly like they will be built at the factory. These prototypes will be tested and showcased here.
Upon successful testing, the prototypes will then need to be checked for compliance with the European standards for electronic audio devices. Finally factory production can then start.
Update:ย Markus will also take care of the pedal/stompbox version of the SVDS replica. It will be released after the big (Gold/Deluxe) version but will sound just the same and therefore also just like the SVDS. The exact same process for the big (Gold/Deluxe) version of the SVDS replica will be repeated for the pedal/stompbox version.
We are definitely a big step closer now.
Your SoloDallas team
Fil & Franz
Aaron
Posted at 16:38h, 27 MayThis is getting very exciting! I think most members will (and should) feel very confident on the quality we will receive from the svds replica. Quality seems to be Fil’s motto with this sort of stuff.
banane
Posted at 18:07h, 27 MayYes, absolutely!
Ant
Posted at 13:57h, 27 MayBetter to find the niggaly problems now then later in ๐
banane
Posted at 14:12h, 27 MayExactly. That’s why we’re super-critic on everything.
I mean, you know how much crap is sold today.
Many devices today are broken by design or will have problems that are so obvious to avoid. And that’s what we do.
With the consequence that we’re a bit slow. But well, better safe than sorry ๐
banane
Posted at 11:02h, 26 MayJust updated the post to get you the latest news and progress.
Angusrocks101
Posted at 15:54h, 26 MaySounds awesome. I think I speak for everyone when I say I’m so anxious to hear Fil demo the new one and then eventually try it myself.
banane
Posted at 14:14h, 27 MayThanks! Yes, we three are also anxious to try the new one. Can’t wait for the next visit in Markus’ shop ๐
currentpeak
Posted at 16:49h, 24 MayIt has been mighty quiet here lately… before the storm I guess.
Hopefully, Fil & Franz are testing the prototypes as I am typing this.
Ant
Posted at 17:33h, 24 Mayi havnt been on the site properly for a few days missing all the new vids n comments coming in :'(
i would guess they are Mr Peak ๐
banane
Posted at 19:56h, 24 MayWell, actually Fil and I had both a storm, but work-wise. Yesterday was the first day for the last two weeks where I got time to play guitar.
Nonetheless, out tech Markus is working in the background. He optimized Guido’s initial circuit layout while keeping always aligned to an original SVDS (which he has too).
Now new prototypes are being made. This means: sending the layout to a company, getting the circuit boards back maybe a week later, assemble it, test it, measure it, compare it measuring-wise with the SVDS. Imagine a swiss clockmaker building a clock by hand ๐
The case enclosure of the big deluxe version which looks like the SVDS is also planned now. Will be made exclusively for us.
Maybe I’ll write an update post tomorrow or so ๐
Dries
Posted at 20:14h, 19 MayGot a soundclip of me playing the pro58 !
Oh and got the hiss quite reduced, but the ratlling u hear is the snare in the band room ๐
Fast recording with a condensor far away. Gretsch jet, 2204 and G12-65’s.
http://www.soundclick.com/player/single_player.cfm?songid=11651981&q=hi
Dries
Posted at 20:59h, 19 MayHere with some different mic placement, no snare, some poor soloing from me and a bit of riff raff. I really hear the glasgow tone despite my playing ๐
http://www.soundclick.com/player/single_player.cfm?songid=11652048&q=hi
Dries
SCgrad98
Posted at 08:01h, 25 MayIt’s sounding great, Dries! You’ve really reduced the hiss… Nice playing too. ๐
Dries
Posted at 12:13h, 25 MayThanks ! Will try to record some more decent next time.
saxosim
Posted at 23:19h, 14 MayHiya thanks for the fast reply that is great thanks for clarifying it for me re wireless i shall add a modern device as you recommended, any news on a release date? Cheers ๐
banane
Posted at 23:22h, 14 MayNo, no release date yet, sorry. Can’t say more than just “in a few months”. Yes, a modern Wireless like the Line6 digital one is fine, for example.
saxosim
Posted at 23:36h, 14 MayThanks banane I will look at one of those line 6 systems once I get a replica SVDS cheers ๐
saxosim
Posted at 22:59h, 14 MayHiya Fil please can I ask will the replica SVDS be wireless as well as wired? If wireless is an option please can you tell me what frequency it will use just so I can make sure there are no legal issues with me buying one to use here in England where I live? I am just curious as I read in another thread on Sollodallas somewhere that some of the frequencies can’t be used in Europe these days from the older original Vega devices? Any advice on this would be appreciated. Thanks I can’t wait to order one once they are available, any idea on a release date yet? Fantastic site by the way thanks Fil your videos and write ups are inspirational. Cheers ๐
banane
Posted at 23:11h, 14 MayHello mate, no, the replica will not be wireless. Just get a modern wireless unit for guitars and put it before the teplica.
Brunduz
Posted at 22:36h, 29 AprilOMG its so awesome i cant wait! im gonna get this and the new 50 aniversary Marshall JMP 1 watt thatll nail angus tone like hell ๐ (i hope) btw how much is it going to cost? and how much did actually cost SVDS when it was avaible?
banane
Posted at 22:56h, 29 AprilWe don’t know yet how much the replica will cost. But it won’t be that expensive.
If I remember corectly, the SVDS cost something like $4000 back then. That’s pretty much, today that would be around $15.000.
AngusRudd1019
Posted at 23:37h, 29 Aprilwow
Brunduz
Posted at 17:35h, 30 Aprilwow well now im starting to get worried if i can even afford the replica… looks like ill have to buy something cheaper like secret-1 ๐
banane
Posted at 17:39h, 30 AprilLol no wait, our replica will be much cheaper of course. We want to replicate the tone, not the price ๐ Just wait for the pedal version of the SVDS replica. Will have a nice price.
currentpeak
Posted at 21:11h, 30 AprilZiadne strachy, pockaj si na pedalovu verziu kamarat. Ta bude lacnejsia, ale ten isty audio circuit ako SVDS replika.
No worries, mate! Pedal version will do the trick.
banane
Posted at 21:17h, 30 AprilExactly! ๐
Brunduz
Posted at 02:56h, 03 Mayoh right the real price alredy got to me and ill think ill order the most expensive version because still its much less then i thought lol ^^
Angusrocks101
Posted at 03:36h, 03 MayWhat do you mean the real price got to you? How much is it?
banane
Posted at 07:50h, 03 MayHe can only mean the prize of the SVDS back then and how much it would cost today. The replica’s price is not known yet.
Angusrocks101
Posted at 02:42h, 04 MayOh ok. I thought that was prolly what he meant but wanted to make sure.