A while ago when Björn and I were having a chat, I got inspired to build a pedal.
This pedal - designed by a famous pedal builder - had been raved about on TGP, and as it was avaliable as a kit I ordered one that very same day.
I completed the build, listened to it and went: What the hell did people find so special about this
Underwhelmed I brought it to Björns workshop as I knew that he himself was interested in hearing this unit .
Björn plugged in, played for a few seconds, looked at me and said: Do you have the schematic to this?
After looking at the schem for another couple of seconds he went: Hmm... disappeared into his workshop and a couple of minutes later I had a pedal that sounded just about 10 times better than before
I´ve seen Björn do these things many times, and I´m amazed by his skills.
I know people that are really good amp builders (I´ve built/modded some amps myself) that can say things like "It MIGHT be possible to do this or that", but they really do not now how to calculate the expected result etc.
When talking to Björn he goes: "Well, do like this instead" and then makes the calculation on the spot, in his head
One thing that separates Björn from most other pedal designers is the fact that he KNOWS how all "that old stuff" (that most pedals are made to sound like) really work from his background as a serviceman.
He has listened to and repaired all these amps, spring reverbs, amp tremolos, tape echos etc etc... So he knows how they work/sound.
He is then capable of transferring these experiences into modern stombox design.
He has also done his "home work" by studying data sheets of every little "thing" one can imagine, and then a few more etc etc etc
Beeing MAD helps a bit of course
As I wrote in that Honey Bee thread over at FSB:
I´m honoured to call Björn my friend!
Björn rules