Welcome to my little corner of the web, where I share my designs. For the past 20 years, I’ve been repairing guitar amps and pedals—everything from tube and solid-state gear to vintage effects and modern SMD and digital circuits. Along the way, I’ve encountered countless attempts at capturing that elusive thing we all chase: ‘the sound of our guitar in our head.’ By the way, if you’re in the Wilmington, North Carolina area and need gear serviced, feel free to reach out to Upcycled Audio.
What’s with the name “Inspiring Devices”?
You know that moment when you sit down with your guitar or a band, and everything clicks—the sound is just right, the music flows, and you’re completely inspired by what you’re hearing? There’s something magical about finding ‘that sound,’ or something close to it, that makes the creativity pour out of you. Is it the guitar? The combination of gear? Who knows? The circuits I design are built around those moments, those sounds. Often, I’ll capture the moment on my phone, then listen back to it, trying to recreate that feeling. That spark of inspiration.
Coffee Themed Pedals?
Yup, I love coffee—there’s no question about that. There’s something simple and peaceful about sitting down with a cup in the morning, just before the day’s chaos begins. Your mind is fresh, offering a brief moment of freedom to create and be inspired. That’s when the ideas seem to flow most easily. So, I thought, why not bring that same mindset of clarity and focus into my love for designing circuits?
Circuit Designing
There are many talented builders and incredible circuits out there today, each doing amazing things. When it comes to designing, my goal is always to create something unique—not to copy or base my work on existing circuits. I prefer to start from scratch, focusing on the sound I envision. I dissect each element: What do I feel in the tone? How do the low notes sit within the sound? Are there particular overtones or harmonics that emerge when playing big, open chords? How would this sound translate in a live setting? These questions guide me as I begin to piece together the individual elements of the circuit and lay out the design.
Clones or Custom versions of an existing circuit
I prefer not to build clones of existing effects pedals because I believe that the true value of creating custom gear lies in originality and innovation. While cloning a pedal can be a fun exercise in technical replication, it doesn’t offer the same opportunity for personal expression and creativity that designing something unique does. I’m fully open to custom builds, as they allow for tailoring sound and features to specific needs or artistic goals. Custom pedals can fuse both functionality and individuality, creating something entirely new, rather than simply reinterpreting what’s already been done. This approach not only keeps the creative process exciting but also fosters the development of truly unique gear that pushes sonic boundaries.