3rd Monty Custom Effects

I am a pedal builder located in Toronto, I started building in late 2015 and quickly became obsessed. I make all my pedals by hand on stripboard with top quality components. I don't design pedals, I build clones of what I believe to be the best circuits out there, some classics and some newer creations for my own use . Below is some of the pedals I've built and some projects I'm working on.

Inquires; 3rdmontyeffects@gmail.com

A few Build examples below

Throbak - Overdrive boost

Based on the Coloursound Power Boost this has an added pre-gain control that allows for two output levels; with the pre-gain engaged a step down from full gain and without pre-gain the full on overdrive of the pedal. I built one for a customer and couldn't stop playing it so this one was for me. I'm into transparent overdrive tones and this is as good as/maybe better than my long running favourite the EQD Westwood and super versatile from crunchy OD to Fuzz. It's a beauty!

ZVEX - Fuzz Factory

Cool graphic supplied by the requestor. This is a beast! This is an incredible tweak able Fuzz, if you're a Fuzz guy/gal you can't not have this in your collection. You can get everything from crazy sustain to bit crushed synth-y type tones with the added gate/comp/stab pots. Building one now for me!

Death By Audio - Evil Filter

Definitely the most challenging pedal I've built. Special/hard to source parts, tons of wiring but it turned out really nice! Those DBA people are mad scientists! I dig it.

Friedman - Dirty Shirley

Another cool pedal from Friedman! This is a slightly lower gain cousin of the BE-OD, tons of controls to shape the tone you're looking for and the versatility to go from overdrive to heavy gain tones. A pretty complicated circuit but worth the effort!

Boss SG 1- Slow Gear

Another pedal that's a bit odd but has reached legendary status and a legendary price if you want to pick up an original. I've built two of these by request, I add a mod switch that allows for different swell or ramp up rates/speeds so you get the original effectplus two pretty usable auto-swell modes.

frantone - peachfuzz

As usual from Frantone a unique design! This guy uses 2 Low power audio amp ICs combined with an op amp for its gain, what you get is a very versatile Fuzz that comps Pumpkins, Dinosaur Jr etc... perfectly but also cleans up really nicely for a smooth OD at lower volumes. Beauty!

Hermida - dover Drive

This is a singing high gain OD/Distortionpedal requiring specially selected transistors. It came out really great! I guess Hermida and now Lovepedal are no longer in business?!?

Spaceman - titan II

This was a request, a very nice Fuzz with 2N2222 silicon transistors. Came out really nice!

Voodo Labs -Sparkle Drive

Made this for myself, Ihad made one a while ago but someone was over trying pedals and it fit the need so I sold him mine. This is a very versatile pedal, perfect for that gritty amp breaking up sound all the way to saturated Overdrive. Like a Tube Screamer but with a clean blend. Is the graphic from a box of Japanese caramel candies?...........um yes

Hudson -Broadcast

This was a request, a circuit in the style of a line input of a broadcast console from the 1960's. This required a special transformer and a germanium transistor. The result is a pretty unique overdrive-ish, fuzz-ish pedal with a lot of versatility and a surprising smooth tone. This is a hybrid of the original and the two stomp version, the gain switch is a stomp but no individual gain controls, IMO youdon't need them, this turned out really nicely. Pretty cool!!

JHS - ANgry Charlie V3

This was a request, a high gain overdrive distortion type pedal, what makes it a little extra cool is the 3 band EQ, provides a ton of tone versatility, dial in exactly what you're looking for.

Friedman - Golden Pearl OD

Really curious about Friedman amps and I was pretty impressed with the BE-OD so I built this guy. Pretty straight forward design with some really cool options including voice (dif types of diode clipping) and a high cut switch which adds bass. Liked it so much I added it to my board.

Clark - Gainster

This was a request from a new customer, it's one of those crazy expensive overdrive pedals (like $750 ?!?!) As it turns out it is a very nice sounding overdrive, not $750 nice, but average pedal price nice.

Fulltone - OCD

The classic OD/Distortion with a waaaay cooler graphic.

EarthQuaker Devices - WestWood OD

This was a request from a repeat customer. I'd wanted to build one for myself for a while so I built 2 and man do I love this pedal!! Definitely an iteration on the Timmy (a great pedal) but this is definitely my new favorite! The graphic is my best attempt at the Twin Peaks limited edition version, I think it came out pretty good.

Keeley - 4 knob compressor

I haven't used a compressor traditionally because I've always felt they were either not there at all or too there. This one is definitely worth the hype, Ihaven't stopped playing since I finished it. Beauty Mr. Keeley!!

DEath by Audio - reverberation Machine

A request by a repeat customer, this is not your average reverb pedal, crazy, inspiring, has a bit of a mind of its own.

EarthQuaker Devices - Humming Bird

A cool square wave-ish tremolo, wanted to build this for quite a while finally got my hands on the correct transistors. This is a modified version of the original Vox repeater tremolo.

Friedman BE-OD

This is a fantastic pedal if you want that singing high-gain distortion sound. This is a build request from a repeat customer and I'm gonna be honest it's hard to let this one go!!

JHS - Andy Timmons

This was a request and a versatile distortion pedal. It's basically a modded Angry Charlie but some really nice mods. The 3 way switch gives clipping options via 2 types of diodes or 2N7000 transistors. Great choice of you're looking for super high gain.

T-Rex Mudhoney

I guy I used to play with had this pedal and it always sounded great, had to build one for myself. This Overdrive has some serious range, it'll take you from from gritty dirt to Fuzz with the boost switch. Nice!!

EchoPlex pre-amp/boost

Just the pre-amp boost circuit of the famous Echoplex here, same circuit as the EP booster, really nice clean boost that adds a ton of life to your tone!

Morning Lius

So here's a cool request, a JHS Morning Glory and a Lovepedal Les Lius together in one pedal. Came together very nicely, beautiful organic sounding medium gain OD tones!

Triangle Big muff

A request for the original Triangle Big Muff, I was able to source the original transistors for this build so had to make one for myself as well. Non-stop Siamese Dream tones all day long.

Frantone Cream Puff

If you find the Big Muff a bit subtle or need to knock down say.... a building with just the power of your guitar,this is the pedal for you. All I can say is WOW, this is the fuzziest of saturated fuzzes I've ever heard.

Cornish SS-2

A great request for a really great OD pedal! Pete Cornish is one of those pedal builders that has reached legendary status, his pedals are used by David Gilmour, Noel Gallagher etc, etc..... In my book this is exactly how an Overdrive pedal should sound; smooth, even, balanced tone btwn highs and lows and it has a nice kick btwn 4 an 5:00 on the sustain dial that touches on distortion territory. Beautiful!

Foxx tone Machine

Another octave up fuzz no longer being made and it's a beauty!! I wanted to build this for awhile and managed to sneak in a build for myself between requests. Similar to the Octafuzz in that you can have Fuzz+Octave or just Fuzz. Can't stop playing this guy!!

JHS Superbolt &

the Timmy

When they come out this good I don't want to let them go. Two really great OD pedals; the JHS Superbolt is a J201 transistor based high gain OD meant to sound like a Supro amp pushed to its limit. The Timmy is a favorite OD of mine, the most transparent out there, so good everyone has copied it and has their branded version.

MAgnavibe

Another cool request! The Magnavibe was inspired by the early 1960's vibrato guitar effect (not the typical tremolo which is just pulse modulation). The Magnatone amp was known for having that amazing wobbly sound. Turned out really nice!

Mutron V and Clean Octave Blend

Here are two perfect examples of how I can help fill the void; The Prescription Electronics Clean Octave Blend and the Mutron Micro V are no longer being made and used ones are now getting pretty pricey. Here's my two recent requests in pedal board friendly sizes. They sound great and no one had to take out a second mortgage!

The Klon Centaur

I was surprised that it took a while for a Klon request. This is a picture of my second Klon build in progress, I'm using DE9 Russian diodes which are apparently what the J. Rockett Archer Klone uses. This one is built without the charge pump to eliminate any odd noises. Turned out great and the requestor is very happy with the end result!

Octafuzz

This was a custom request and it turned out really great, switch selects between Octafuzz and just Fuzz. Hours of fun!

G2D Custom Overdrive

This was my go to Overdrive prior to building the KOT . Great Zendrive like Overdrive with higher gain options and a boost that is not an independent circuit therefore giving the user the ability to boost signal for solos etc... without creating a ton of noise.

Love Pedal -Les Luis

Yes! My new favorite pedal, this gives the authentic tone of a dimed Fender Tweed. The store bought version comes with a second stomp that gives a higher gain setting, I turned it into a toggle. This is the most natural sounding overdrive I've heard, beautiful!

The Animal plus

This is my own version the Animal by Rockett pedals (their Plexi pedal). I wanted to make the snarl switch (which is a toggle on the original) into a stomp so I could select the modded Plexi tone for solos, also wanted some extra volume so I added a MXR micro amp wired to the snarl switch to act as a boost. Worked out great and I've now got that super mean boost at my toes ........

NObels ODR-1 Overdrive

This is not an expensive pedal to buy but the pedal world defies all logic and I have to say this is currently my favorite over drive! Tons of sustain, note clarity, awesome tone! I didn't build this for a long time as people always associate this pedal with Nashville players (not my thing) but man this is a rockin pedal for sure!

FairField Circuitry -Barbershop

An actual original design! In a world where everybody iterates on a previous design, finding a company doing something new is quite rare. Very cool pedal, gives a MOSFET type overdrive, very smooth and the Sag allows you to under power the transistor, still learning this one but nice work Fairfield! PS love their simple bare bones design (did my best impression).

https://fairfieldcircuitry.com

Hermida Zendrive

A beautiful medium gain overdrive that has reached legendary status. Gives you the over driven tone of the Famous Dumble Amplifiers, can't confirm as I've not played one but I will say this is a very smooth, not fizzy med/highish gain overdrive with a ton of character. One of my favorites (I think mine def looks cooler).

BJFE Designed Honey Bee

Another beautiful medium gain overdrive that gives you that overdriven Supro Amp tone. Extremely touch sensitive and dynamic.

Morning Glory

A Super popular medium gain overdrive, this is modified Marshall Bluesbreaker circuit, very sparkly, I love it for that always on dirty tone, great way to cut through the mix.

MI Audio -Crunchbox

This is not another medium gain overdrive, this is a full on rip your face off distortion pedal...if you want it to be. There is a ton of gain on tap for those ripping leads and pinched harmonics but if you back of before 12 o'cock you can get some very OCD like tones. Great pedal, very versatile!