The Jeds Peds Symbolisation is a DIY guitar effects pedal kit, an overdrive that the maker says also works as a clean boost or an edgy crunch, always keeping a natural tone1. Jeds Peds states that the kit compares to The Simble by Mad Professor, and describes the circuit as one that "oozes that very natural organic tone, has un-surpassable touch sensitivity and sweet tube-like compression"1. It is aimed at players who want to build their own overdrive pedal, with options ranging from a bare PCB to a fully built unit.
What it does
Jeds Peds positions the Symbolisation across three uses: a clean boost, an edgy crunch, and a sweeter, singing overdrive1. The maker also says it plays nicely with single coils and humbuckers and works well for bass, which puts it in reach of players browsing bass pedals as well as guitar drives1. If you are comparing it against other low-gain drives, it sits in similar territory to a boost pedal at one end and a mild distortion at the other.
The controls: Sensitivity, Level, Accent and Contour
The Symbolisation has four controls, each shaping a different part of the drive character1:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| SENSITIVITY | Amount of distortion and compression |
| LEVEL | Output level |
| ACCENT | Adjusts the pick attack and brightness before the signal is overdriven |
| CONTOUR | Brightness of the output |
The split between ACCENT, which shapes the signal going into the overdrive stage, and CONTOUR, which shapes the brightness coming out, gives a builder two ways to dial in the top end rather than one1.
Kit options, from bare PCB to pre-built
Jeds Peds sells the Symbolisation in six versions, so you can take on as much or as little of the build as you like1:
- PCB Only: just the plain PCB
- PCB & Components: PCB, onboard components and any pots and toggle switches
- PCB & Components and off board parts: the above plus the off-board parts
- Full Kit: as above, with an undrilled enclosure
- Full Kit & Drilling: the Full Kit with the enclosure drilled; drilling includes all the holes for a complete pedal, for a small surcharge
- Pre Built Kit: Jeds Peds builds the kit for you
The Full Kit comes with one of Jeds Peds' JP125B die cast enclosures, and the board is designed for right angled pots1.
The Pre Built Kit is not a finished retail pedal in the usual sense. Jeds Peds describes it as buying a kit with the build done for you, and no returns are accepted on it1. Pre-built orders also carry a 1 to 4 week build time1.
For a pre-built unit, the maker gives a 12 month repair warranty: "I do give a 12 month repair warranty so should a fault be developed I will repair it"1. That cover applies to the pre-built option rather than the kits you solder yourself.
If the Symbolisation sounds interesting but is not quite the right drive, Jeds Peds makes a range of other kits and pedals, including the Weighty, Nepotist, Dowager and English Gent.
Videos
Nick Guppy
Giselle Chacon
Questions
What pedal is the Jeds Peds Symbolisation based on?
Jeds Peds states that the Symbolisation kit compares to The Simble by Mad Professor. It is sold as a DIY pedal kit that works as a clean boost, edgy crunch, or a sweet singing overdrive, and the maker describes its tone as natural and organic with touch sensitivity and tube-like compression.
Does the Symbolisation work on bass?
Yes. The maker says the Symbolisation works well for bass too, and that it plays nicely with single coils and humbuckers. With its clean boost, crunch and overdrive ranges, it can sit on a bass board as a low-gain drive or boost.
What enclosure size does the Symbolisation kit use?
The Full Kit comes with a JP125B die cast enclosure from Jeds Peds, supplied undrilled. The board is designed for right angled pots. If you would rather not drill it yourself, the Full Kit & Drilling option adds all the holes for a complete pedal for a small surcharge.
How long does a pre-built Symbolisation take to arrive?
Pre Built Kits from Jeds Peds have a 1 to 4 week build time, since the maker builds the kit for you after you order. Note that pre-built kits are not eligible for returns.
Is there a warranty on the pre-built Symbolisation?
Yes. Jeds Peds gives a 12 month repair warranty on pre-built kits, so if a fault develops the maker will repair it. This applies to the Pre Built Kit option rather than the versions you solder yourself.
Sources (1)
- Symbolisation, Jeds Peds
