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Post by night0wl on Jan 13, 2006 22:27:28 GMT -5
Hi all,
I am new here and also fairly new to electronics. I have rewired 2 of my guitars successfully, adding all new DiMarzio pots, switches and pups to both axes (tele copy w/DiMarzio Chopper in the bridge and Twang King in the neck + push/pull volume coil split & Ibanez RG w/DiMarzio Breed in bridge and PAF Pro in neck positions). Other than that and the odd guitar wiring repair for other people I haven't had any other electronics experience.
What I am interested in is building an effects pedal. I would like to start out with something basic like a signal booster or similar then eventually get into overdrive pedals but I would like peoples opinions on where to start and what to learn before doing so. Also any schematics for a beginner project would be great.
Thanks in advance
Shane
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Post by Mini-Strat_Maine on Jan 13, 2006 23:44:19 GMT -5
What I am interested in is building an effects pedal. I would like to start out with something basic like a signal booster or similar then eventually get into overdrive pedals but I would like peoples opinions on where to start and what to learn before doing so. Also any schematics for a beginner project would be great. There is a ton of stuff on the 'Net for schematics and even kits for DIY pedals. Here are a few: That oughta get ya started.  |
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Post by night0wl on Jan 14, 2006 0:02:46 GMT -5
Thanks!! This will kepp me busy for a while!  |
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Post by eljib on Jan 14, 2006 9:50:00 GMT -5
Interesting that this thread should come up right now, since I just finished wiring my very first pedal project: the Dan Armstrong Orange Squeezer. It's a vintage compressor without a true bypass circuit, and it was built as a box that you plug straight into the guitar. It was actually very easy to wire. Mine will feature true bypass and on-the-floor stomping compatibility, but not if I can't get the thing to work.  I think I've got a short circuit because the battery gets hotter than hell after 30 seconds of being connected. But I don't have my multi-meter with me so I can't do any checks yet. Anyway, back to the question: This was supposed to be a beginer level circuit, and I'm confident I'll figure out what went wrong pretty soon, so yeah, I would recommend you start there (if you like compression). Mini: Have you made pedals before, or are you just the quickest draw when it comes to finding links to post? If you have any experience, I would love to ask you a few questions. |
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Post by Mini-Strat_Maine on Jan 14, 2006 11:23:17 GMT -5
Mini: Have you made pedals before, or are you just the quickest draw when it comes to finding links to post? If you have any experience, I would love to ask you a few questions. No, I just had all those links handy in my Bookmarks from when I was doing some research on pedals. I'm afraid I wouldn't be of much help with your questions. I did build a PAiA "Hot Lyx Sustain" a few years ago, but that wouldn't make the cut for "Shining Moments In DIY Electronics." (Although, other than the one bad solder joint, it worked fine.  ) |
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Post by wolf on Jan 14, 2006 14:10:11 GMT -5
I've found that building an effect from scratch can also be a big disappointment. Way back in 1971, I built a compressor (or sustainer) for my guitar. The schematic was in Popular Electronics and was the work of Craig Anderton (yeah he goes back that far!). I was amazed that it worked on the first try, considering it consisted of approximately 50 parts and I built my own circuit board from phenolic board and those pins that get inserted into it.
After all that work, I was disappointed that it didn't work as well as the article said it should have worked. (A very common occurrence with "do it yourself" projects).
To me, building an effect from scratch is too costly in terms of money and definitely time.
Would you want to build a guitar from scratch? I sure as heck wouldn't. So, what I like to do is rewire guitars (and to a lesser extent, effects). I haven't done too much of this but I had great success with this wah pedal modification:
www.geofex.com/Article_Folders/wahpedl/wahped.htm#basicmod
There's a lot of information there (maybe too much) but if interested I can tell you which changes will make the most difference.
Then again, that's just my opinion.
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Post by JohnH on Jan 14, 2006 16:23:57 GMT -5
Building effects is a great way to learn about active electronics, if this is of interest to you. The simplest types of effects are the boosters with one or two transistors, and simple fuzz, overdrive devices. With these, the components are cheap and if you put them together correctly, they usually work. If they dont, they are not too hard to troubleshoot. It is best to get a 'breadboard' to test these on (a board with a grid of connected sockets, into which you plug the components, so soldering needed). That lets you try alot of variations, hooked upi to a guitar and amp lead with alligator clips. Then when you find something you like the sound of, you can build it more permanently.
If would advise against launching into any complex circuit which you do not understand, unless you do so with a fully prepared kit and just solder it together. Theres not much learning to be gained in that however. So start simple, and build up step by step.
John
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Post by night0wl on Jan 15, 2006 14:51:07 GMT -5
Thanks for the replies everyone! wolf; I would love to build a guitar I am keen on building a double neck in the future....It is hard to find good left handed guitars! I am definately interested in effects mods and guitar wiring so I would rather get into that area before attemping to build a guitar. JohnH; I would like to start with a booster because of all the schematics I have seen I think the booster looks the simplest. Thanks again Shane |
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Post by CheshireCat on Jan 19, 2006 19:48:23 GMT -5
Hi all, I am new here and also fairly new to electronics. I have rewired 2 of my guitars successfully, adding all new DiMarzio pots, switches and pups to both axes (tele copy w/DiMarzio Chopper in the bridge and Twang King in the neck + push/pull volume coil split & Ibanez RG w/DiMarzio Breed in bridge and PAF Pro in neck positions). Other than that and the odd guitar wiring repair for other people I haven't had any other electronics experience. What I am interested in is building an effects pedal. I would like to start out with something basic like a signal booster or similar then eventually get into overdrive pedals but I would like peoples opinions on where to start and what to learn before doing so. Also any schematics for a beginner project would be great. Thanks in advance Shane BUMMER!!! You're a newbie. I thought an electronic greenhorn was some new neat circuit or gadget.  Welcome to the boards! Chesh |
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Post by CheshireCat on Jan 19, 2006 19:54:26 GMT -5
I've found that building an effect from scratch can also be a big disappointment. Way back in 1971, I built a compressor (or sustainer) for my guitar. The schematic was in Popular Electronics and was the work of Craig Anderton (yeah he goes back that far!). I was amazed that it worked on the first try, considering it consisted of approximately 50 parts and I built my own circuit board from phenolic board and those pins that get inserted into it.
After all that work, I was disappointed that it didn't work as well as the article said it should have worked. (A very common occurrence with "do it yourself" projects).
To me, building an effect from scratch is too costly in terms of money and definitely time. Hmm. Interesting. And sobering. Would you want to build a guitar from scratch? I sure as heck wouldn't. Funny you should mention that . . . Of course, I had the neck to start with, but everything else I did from near scratch, and it was probably the most gratifying project I've done. Of course, if you're just going for a Strat clone, it's really not worth the while, unless you're assembling a Warmoth kit or something. There's a lot of information there (maybe too much) but if interested I can tell you which changes will make the most difference. Which ones would those be? I'm curious because I'm thinking about doing the Fasel trade out on a Snarling Dogs Mold Spore Wah. Any insights? Chesh |
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Post by UnklMickey on Jan 19, 2006 22:38:47 GMT -5
... I thought an electronic greenhorn was some new neat circuit or gadget. .... i could sure use an electric shoehorn to fit more stuff in a guitar cavity! XD |
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Post by CheshireCat on Jan 20, 2006 0:40:49 GMT -5
... I thought an electronic greenhorn was some new neat circuit or gadget. .... i could sure use an electric shoehorn to fit more stuff in a guitar cavity! XD Indeed. And that shoehorn has a name, and it's name is MICROCIRCUITRY!!!! |
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