Dirt Dessert - Harmonic Messulator

Now then... this is an interesting one. Basically it's a dirt box that adds harmonic overtones to your signal causing varying degrees of controllable sonic chaos. Difficult to describe in details without quoting the blurb about the original verbatim, so may be worth searching the interweb for something similar.

A brief run-down of the controls may help:

Drive - gain kicked out from the pre-amp section of the circuit
Mix - control the balance of the pre-amp output with the second-stage distortion output that is heard.
Vol - erm... yeah.
Guitar/Bass switch - changes the frequency of the treble roll-off
Low Frequency Contour - can be flipped to allow some low frequency through from the pre-amp output to the effect output, giving the signal more bottom end which can be lost in the second stage distortion.

All kinds of effects can be produced, from filter sweeps on decaying notes to ring-mod-ish sounds. Works equally great on guitar or bass.

All this fits into a 1590B size box, rather than the much larger original.

The kit is supplied with vertical-mount pots which have round shafts, so you'll need set-screw fitting knobs.

If you want the PCB without parts there's a link for that at the bottom of the page.

Partial kit: PCB, all board-mounted components, pots.

Full kit: As above, plus footswitch and appropriate daughterboard/components for your selected bypass type (see Downloads section for details of those), jack sockets, DC socket, battery snap, hook-up wire, LED.

Enclosure (pre-drilled) is available as an option with full kits, and will not take a battery. Knobs are not included.

Inspired by: Prunes and Custartd

Difficulty: Medium

PCB size: 50 x 50mm

Knobs required: 3

Enclosure: 1590B

Direct-Connect compatible (4-way)

Download INSTRUCTION PDF

Here's the older version

Product Code: DirtDessert

Brand: Pedal Parts

Weight: 130.0g

Product Condition: New

Kit type* Ribbon connector?* Pre-built? (uk only)

£36.00 inc. tax

£30.00 ex. tax

? Tax based on United Kingdom.

Updating Order Details

Please do not refresh or navigate away from the page!

Customer Reviews

7 review(s) posted (write review)

Fantastic pedal
"This kit was fantastic and the build is so clean with the daughterboard and matched four lead connector. I recommend getting the enclosure pre-drilled as that made things so much easier for people like me without a bench drill. The pedal sounds amazing. Such a weird one. The way the tone changes with the attack on the strings makes it great for moving from soft picked low end fuzzy rhythm to full on screaming tonebendery fuzz with hard attacked lead lines." SK - 28 March 2023

Absolutely superb
"My first kit build so there was a lot to learn - Fuzzdog kits aren t too prescriptive, so I had to learn how to identify different resistors etc - but I loved the process of figuring it all out. Once I d got my head around it the build was quite simple, and the end result is a clone that absolutely nails the sound of the original. Love it and am now working on my next kit!" Sam - 19 April 2021

Nails It - Secret Weapon
"Huge fan of the original, which has been a secret weapon for me for years. This kit sounds identical (in a smaller box, too!). Extremely pleased. FuzzDog's part quality and support more than warrant all the accolades you've ever heard." Andy N - 28 September 2019

Fun!
"This is a super easy build and produces some crazy sounds. It's definitely touch sensitive and loads of fun to play with. Stack with other effects and open up entirely new possibilities!" Pete - 11 April 2017

This is... a mess.
"...but in a good way. This is going to take some time. It was a pretty easy build, but as far as getting sounds that I'll ever use, it'll take some getting use to. For the money, it's a KILLER deal. For the noise, it's a killer deal. For just bugging the hell out of my cats? Ooooh, it'll do just fine. Def glad I got one. Now, where did I put that analogue synth?...." damnedcat777 - 17 March 2017

Messulator
"A Wild squelching Fuzz that at the end of decaying notes or the at the Attack (depending on settings) spits out FM, ring mod or even Wah type tonal sweeps. A straight-forward build with comprehensive instructions. Recommended if you value something a bit different or exotic." Rob - 31 August 2015

Very versatile little monster
"Built this 2 nights ago, and am now discovering it slowly. At first, I used it on guitar in the "guitar" setting, which can sound like a nasty storm of static. Now, I am finding it to be very touch responsive, and used in the "bass" setting on a guitar it is great! I ended up playing the pedal as much as playing the guitar. It has synthy qualities and using a volume pedal or knob, it can also sound like a wah. Very cool. Was considering to give it to a friend, but now.. no way." C - 20 January 2015