Kev

... Although I would say there are balance benefits in some designs

It's just another design variation. I dare say if Leo decided to stick with a single cut design rather than double cut and inspired all the builders today, double cuts would look weird to some people I chose an Alpher Mako (SC) shape over a Cobia (DC) because I prefer the look. I personally do not think there are any real tonal or stability benefits.

[quote name='0175westwood29' timestamp='1450721726' post='2935245'] So can we close this thread now? [/quote] No I don't think legality is being questioned. As the OP, certainly not a question raised by me. Looking forward to an owner, particularly one experienced with Darkglass, giving their comments.

[quote name='dannybuoy' timestamp='1450625618' post='2934403'] I couldn't give a monkey's about the politics and would choose whatever pedal sounded best, I think most bassists not deeply involved in Basschat / Talkbass wouldn't even know or care either. [/quote] It's interesting you say that, as I imagine smaller builders like 3 leaf very much rely on internet fame to sell their devices, in particular forums. I doubt anyone would have even heard of builders like iron ether and fuzzrocious without that kind of exposure. For boss, digitech, Ibanez etc completely agree with you, but not for boutique builders.

[quote name='bobbass4k' timestamp='1450619301' post='2934321'] Design and tooling costs. In that big post Spencer made it pretty clear that the fundamental circuit design is the same as the darkglass, I don't think he's trying to deny that, so doing a new PCB layout would be a massive waste of time and money. He says he designed the PCB, I believe him, as long as he didn't sell the rights to the layout to darkglass then he's perfectly entitled to use it himself. [/quote] Spencer did not design the PCB. I haven't even seen a claim to that, he just 'upgraded' a couple of components including the switch, schematics were otherwise 100% Darkglass/Doug, as of course was the layout of the pedal. He did create the enclosures (I can't say design, as fundamentally the old Finnish and USA had the same overall look) so don't think there is an issue there (apart from the interesting discrepancy in pre-drilled, when the Vulcan has a different PS location), however bizarre it appears from a business point of view. He has said the Vulcan is inspired by his knowledge of the Darkglass circuit, what he has not admitted to is that it appears to bean adjusted version of the exact same pcb, only with a Pike logo. I think what is so frustrating here is, if he had put these overdrive in his own cool rolled steel enclosures (changing PCB layout as appropriate) and they do sound very different to the DG units, then all these long accusatory conversations would never have taken place and I for one would be looking forward to trying one! However, to use the word again, the way he has done this is just bizarre.

[quote name='HazBeen' timestamp='1450608516' post='2934203'] I think we need to be careful not to make this a witch hunt just because we know and love Darkglass equipment and 3Leaf has created a similar - not the same - pedal. It is clear that the B7/3k was the basis for the new pedal, but quite frankly I find it odd that variations on Muffs, 808s etc are perfectly acceptable but this is not. The soiled business relationship will have 2 sides and my 20 yrs in business (incl JVs gone wrong) tell me there will have been conduct on both sides that led to the split. Doug Castro will be a savy business man, not a saint as will Spencer. Really the discussion should be if we like the pedals or not, nothing more or less. IMO. [/quote] Your right of course I'm only really irked that Spencer is maintaining that he hasn't done what it is clear he has, but as he is not active on this forum as he is on TB (although he has gone quiet now, which I don't really blame given the nature of the TB thread) so we won't get any comment. Steering the topic in the right direction, does anyone have one yet? Bass Direct now have them in stock.

You have seen the pictures, right? I don't know of any former tube screamer head of operations going off to build their own version of pedals with practically identical circuits (in both components, style and layout) and enclosures, no.

Circuit board comparisons up on Talkbass. Interested to hear Spencer's 'explanation' as to why the circuit boards are near identical too, bar a few value changes and a small section in the middle which one presumes is this 'second drive circuit'. http://www.talkbass.com/threads/pike-amplification-vulcan-od-3-leaf-audio-new-company.1190555/page-15#post-18135447

Iv posted this over on the W forum, see how it goes down.

Is this the buckeye Infinity or Streamer? I can't believe those repair costs and the attitude. Warwick prices are what they are new and people pay them, however surely no-one is paying those prices for repair. I bet Martin will sort it, however if he doesn't out of principle I would never consider commissioning Warwick for the work.

I may wait for the first batch cast offs in January....

[quote name='Woodinblack' timestamp='1450220806' post='2930771'] thinking about it - I think the dingwall had a flat fingerboard, and that wasn't slow, but again it is hard to compare [/quote] It would have been a custom spec if so, no Dingwall boards are flat as standard, most of the higher end ones have a compound radius, which is really nice.

[quote name='dincz' timestamp='1450294232' post='2931499'] I'd expect a 20" radius board to be barely disinguishable from flat. [/quote] This. To be honest, I don't notice too much of a difference at all really, but certainly a 20" board will feel very similar. Far more noticeable will be the Asymmetric carve!