<a href="http://casperelectronics.com/images/finishedpieces/vltone/vltonedetail2.jpg"><img src="http://casperelectronics.com/images/finishedpieces/vltone/_vltonedetail2.jpg" width="400" height="266" alt="" title=""  /></a>
<a href="http://casperelectronics.com/images/finishedpieces/vltone/faceplate.JPG"><img src="http://casperelectronics.com/images/finishedpieces/vltone/_faceplate.JPG" width="400" height="266" alt="" title=""  /></a>
In the picture above you can see my custom faceplate. I etched the design in copper clad board (PCB material) and then dipped the etched plate in a nasty chemical called <a href="http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/MG-Chemicals/421-500ML/?qs=X5SXQx2ktnMrYFBNsFayFg%3d%3d">Liquid Tin</a> that tins the copper and keeps it from tarnishing.<hr/><hr>
<a href="http://casperelectronics.com/images/finishedpieces/vltone/LEDmatrix.jpg"><img src="http://casperelectronics.com/images/finishedpieces/vltone/_LEDmatrix.jpg" width="400" height="281" alt="" title=""  /></a>
<strong>A word of warning:</strong><br>
Be careful with the LCD screen. It receives it's data from a plastic ribbon with conductive ink printed on it. The screen doesn't use solder connections. Instead the data ribbon is pressed against the screen to conduct electricity. That means if you break the ribbon there's no way to solder in a replacement wire. The conductive ink on the ribbon dries up over time and will come off if you move it around too much or move the screen. I did this and it couldn't be fixed, so I replaced the screen with a whole bunch of LEDs. It doesn't work the same as the LCD, but at least it looks cool. <br>
There are two boards inside the VLtone. The first one you will see when you open it is the sound board. The one under it is the control board. The control board holds all of the switches, keyboard keys and the the screen. Avoid removing this board if you can. If you DO have to remove it, be careful not to move the LCD screen around. Maybe it could be taped down while it's open. Once the LCD ribbon breaks, it CANNOT be fixed.<p><hr/><hr>
<h2>SCHEMATIC</h2>
Almost all of the bends in the VL-tone are achieved be creating amplifier feedback loops. There are no data glitches to be found. This means there are no random melody bends but lots of squealing distortion bends. <p>The schematic below is just a guide and not a complete list of EVERY bend. Experiment with the points shown. Add touch points and components like capacitors in different values to find different kinds of effects. 
<a href="http://casperelectronics.com/images/finishedpieces/vltone/vltoneguts.JPG"><img src="http://casperelectronics.com/images/finishedpieces/vltone/_vltoneguts.JPG" width="400" height="266" alt="" title=""  /></a>
<a href="http://casperelectronics.com/images/finishedpieces/vltone/VLtoneBends.jpg"><img src="http://casperelectronics.com/images/finishedpieces/vltone/_VLtoneBends.jpg" width="400" height="304" alt="" title=""  /></a>