Has anyone bought components from POLIDA on Ebay?

[Jon Rep]

I decided to take a stab at buying these ICL7660's from a Chinese Seller - "Polida "because of cheapness but its been a month now and no sign of them and I am thinking I wont see them.  Just wondered if anyone else has dealt with them?  Thanks.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=251066447875&ssPageName=ADME:L:OU:AU:3160

[IvIark]

Yes I've bought from them lots.  It can take a while for the orders to arrive because they are obviously sending things by the cheapest method possible for the free postage option, but I have no complaints about any of the bits I've bought from them.  Someone on FSB mentioned that he thought their 1N34As were in fact re-packaged silicon diodes, but I'm getting the expected germanium forward voltage measurement from them.  So I'd say give them a go, but if you don't want to wait pay for the shipping to get things a bit quicker.  That doesn't bother me and I'm happy to wait so I never bother.

[GoranP]

I bought that exact chip from that exact seller (was it Mark's recommendation? I don't quite recall which circuit it was and whether the seller link was in the comments or I just stumbled upon it).

The chips came neatly packaged in that plastic "tube", took it about a month or so to arrive. Anything I order from China always takes 3-5 weeks to reach me so I don't panic unless it's been almost two months since purchase. That makes me a veeeeeery slow builder as I don't have a massive stock and always need to get some parts but for the shipping/ic price, I really can't complain.

[Jon Rep]

OK Thanks Mark & Goran for the replies. You have given me some confidence in Polida.  I needed the ICL7660S  for  (1) Keeley Katana Boost   &  (2) Xotic EP Booster - Briggs Modded.  Luckily while waiting for Polida  I checked my Stash and amazingly found 2 I bought from "Spiratronics" .  

What I have found with all the pedals I have built is some sound great at bedroom levels on smaller amps but when you use them on bigger amps and rigs they are ordinary and visa versa.  Amp types & builds, Guitar builds & Pickups, Speaker Types & Pedal Combinations all affect whether you will get a Good or Great Sound. So it is complex and a Science & Art & Magic & Luck. The Keeley Katana Boost was ok on my small rig but great on a big rig.  Other Boosts were great on small rigs and ok on large rigs. lol  So when people say a Pedal is great it also depends on what else they are using with that pedal . Some Highly recommended pedals I have found to be ok and some with Crappy Sounding Videos have amazed. So the only way I can tell is just Build them and test them on what equipment I Have.  Thanks again & have Fun.  Great Stuff.

[IvIark]

That's why I now put absolutely no value on peoples opinions on forums like Harmony Central or TGP when it comes to something as subjective and variable as "great tone".  I've been stung in the past buying based on a review of some uber-pedal which turned out dogshit with my gear.  The OCD version 4 being a prime example.

If I knew someone had the same amp, speakers, guitar (including pickups), and taste in music I might be a little more swayed, otherwise I always have to try myself.  And that's the beauty of DIY, because if you don't box an effect and socket the semiconductors, you could essentially test any circuit yourself for about 50p.

[GoranP]

I just checked, I got those icl7660scpa to put into Anderton Super Tone Control. The vero is populated, only missing pots and jacks. Have those too, I'm just sidetracked with several other simultaneous builds...

No seller's fault, that...

[Jon Rep]

Mark,  Like you I also went on reviews and YouTube Clips to determine whether to buy a pedal.  The cost of them however limited what I could get.  Now, however  after discovering your Blog & others allowed me to Build for a tenth of the cost although I still go on other people's opinions and YouTube Clips. I also actually like Building a Pedal in anticipation of getting a great pedal. It's  Like getting a Present or Reward and can become very Addictive. PS  Goran I also will have a look at Anderton Super Tone . Thanks

[IvIark]

Oh there are plenty of people on various forums whose opinions I trust, but I only trust that it sounded great with their gear

[Silver Blues]

Yep, me too. I got some sort of IC a few days ago but haven't had a chance to open it up yet, but I suspect it might be the 7660s. I'll report back probably tomorrow.

If so, that's damn good. I already have most of the order I placed about a week ago.

--Silvie

[Silver Blues]

Silver Blues wrote

...but I suspect it might be the 7660s.

Nope, it was my TL072s. Either way I expect the rest soon, I ordered both these and some CA3080s from Polida.

--Silvie