I had heard a rumor about BYOC shutting down, but refused to accept it at the time. Now that I see that it is true, I must say I am absolutely heartbroken.
I think I built my first BYOC kit in 2014. I have a germanium boost on my desk right now dated 8-6-14. I think this was my second pedal. The first was the OD-1, which I also still have around here somewhere. I started building pedals when I was in a band that required me to have a boost for solos. Everyone recommended things that were crazy expensive and I didn't like the idea of spending money on something that wasn't guaranteed right for me. A friend suggested that, with my electronics experience, I should build a pedal. That is when I found BYOC. I could build them for a reasonable price and enjoy the activity. If the tone or effect wasn't for me, I still had fun building and learning, and I could move on to the next one.
I don't know how many I have built. I definitely have tried to build every fuzz and overdrive I could get, some multiple times because I also like giving pedals away to friends and telling them how much a vintage one would cost them. I especially love building Klones for people. I have become known in my music community as the guy that builds pedals and will fix your stuff for free, which is one of my better reputations.
My entire pedal board is BYOC. I just finished recording my second record with all BYOC effects (out early next year...?) BYOC has shaped my tone. By having so many options that were easy to build with quality components, I was free to explore.
BYOC definitely kept me occupied through lock down times. I was still working, but there wasn't much else going on. That was when my collection really took off.
In short, Build Your Own Clone has meant a lot to me and I sincerely appreciate Keith and the BYOC team for all they have contributed to my music and life by extension. I'm sad to see it shut down.
Cheers!
Mr.Dave
The Implosions
Las Vegas, NV