Beginning DIY Effects

[ijustwannastrat]

For a beginner, what do you guys think about the following projects?

www.generalguitargadgets.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=151&category_id=7&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=45
www.generalguitargadgets.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=20&category_id=7&manufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=45&phpMyAdmin=4a28f86a515b7883e7bc35a68d4e7b6d
www.generalguitargadgets.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=145&category_id=7&manufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=45

I know the loop box isn't really difficult, nor does it alter the signal at all, but I need one.

[newey]

As I mentioned before, I built the Loop box, and after a week or so playing with it, I love it! Simple but effective, I can have a whole string of effects pre-set and turn 'em all on with just one switch. Very handy if your amp doesn't have a separate switched effects loop.

There's no PCB involved so it's easy to build. As to the other projects you cite, it comes down to: Do you want/need an EH Big Muff clone or not? Or an MXR Micro-Amp clone?

You can buy the "ready-to-solder" boards for these projects, and source your own parts, maybe save a buck or two.

Or, you can go with Flateric's philosophy and DIY the whole thing, either on a stripboard, or etch your own PCBs, depending on how ambitious you want to get.

I'm seriously in favor of Eric's idea of building 2 (or more) discrete effects into a single stompbox enclosure. I envision a portable, 3-effect box that I could take as an all-in-one solution for travel and other duties.

[shoogle]

Definitely with Newey on this - 3 or more effects in one box also allows you to rationalise the power input and makes acceptable the biggest inconvenience of home-made pedals - the non-standard size (or the cost and fiddlyness of buying a standard sized pedal and getting the bulky home soldering to fit).

[vonFrenchie]

I was never a fan of "diy kits." It feels like they are taking the DIY out of the project, its more like "Put Our Half Finished Product Together."

I saw the "Dist Kit." 50 bucks for a Ross Distortion clone, na uh. Homewrecker has a broken down Ross Distortion and it has 6 caps, 2 diodes, 7 resistors and 1 ic. Along with the two potentiometers, pc board and box that still isnt close to 50 bucks.

If I were you, well... when I was in your position I found some schematics, set up a parts list and put it together myself. It was a really satisfying feeling when I built my first effects pedal. If you have confidence in your soldering ability I would advise you to build a unit from scratch (with the exception of the schematic).

About the multi-effects units. The only problem I see in that is I don't think I'd want a super distortion box that had a Tube Screamer, Ross and Big Muff in it. I'd rather have a delay, chorus and distortion box. There lies the problem; tremolo, chorus, echo, and delay pedals tend to be a tad complex. And we all know that complex circuits are usually big circuits.

[ijustwannastrat]

So i just opened the box, I was super pumped, and then I realized that I don't know what I'm doing. I believe I have the parts laid out on the PCB correctly, but I'm not sure how to tell which side is the IN and OUT on some of the caps and resistors.... Also, do I put the parts flush to the board, or do I give a little gap? Pictures would help, but I'm open to any help whatsoever....

[JohnH]

Resistors and most caps dont care which way round they go. The exception to this is the electrolytic capacitors, these are the cylindrical capacitors that look like small coke cans. They have polarity marked (often a - symbol), and need to be placed the right way round per the design.

Components can be down to the board, but dont force or stretch them hard, whatever fits neatly. Sometimes resistors are set with a gap, if they are handling higher power, to give better cooling but that wont apply in a stomp box.