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jack
Platinum Member
USA
1418 Posts |
 Posted - 10/09/2006 : 15:54:07
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My name is Jack and I am a registered PEDAL-phile....Seriously though, this weekend I finished my first pedal build, the BYOC Ultimate Fuzz kit and got about 75% done with the Big Muff clone kit. The Fuzz works, though there may be a slight grounding issue, and I cannot wait to wire up the Big Muff clone.
Prior to these builds I had little soldering experience, but bought some soldering practice kits to get my skills down. I thought populating the circuit board would be tough, but thats easy, the hard part is wiring up everything. I don't know about other DIY kits for pedals, but if you are interested in getting into it, definitely look into the BYOC (Build Yor Own Clone) kits, but be warned, its addictive. I am planning on getting the Trem, Chorus, Delay, and MKII/Tonebender kits soon...I can't stop man, I'm a junkie... |
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Dr. Bob
Moderator
Australia
6593 Posts |
Posted - 10/09/2006 : 16:47:44
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Hi Jack
Welcome to our nightmare, ... sorry! I ment Hobby-job-carrer,
and endless nights trying to figure out why the:
transfribulating buffer, won't interface with the spazmotifying quadrant multiplier, perhaps it's the perembulating diode, or maybe the skitzo NOR gate, or maybe the rectumfryer circuit has no output.
But later at 2:45am, you deduce that it was nothing more that a few cold or dry solder joints.  
But believe me, its a great hobby & a wonderful way to keep your mind active, and remember most faults can be found, just by looking for, (cold solder joints, broken wires, broken - cracked or burned PCB tracks, loose solder splatter, shorted-bridged solder joints)
And remember, that you will always have us guys around, to ask questions.
The library is now one of your best friends.
Enjoys your new (I built these) pedals.
Make a crystal set for your kids, brother & sister, hell just make one for yourself.
Want to built something truley unique & amazing
it's called a foxhole radio, it's a crystal set made from:
An Old style blue razor blade. works better if you scratch it
A safety pin or carbon pencil. (some people used rusty fence wire)
Some cooper wire.
A crystal earpiece (earphone).
I built one as a young boy, & still have a fascination for that first early project.
I built one for my kids - Well you had to see their faces - music & radio from junk.
The blue razor blade & the pencil-safety pin form the semiconductor diode detector,
the copper wire, you form into a coil for rough tuning, & you listen to it through the crystal earpiece.
Here are some links, sure it's not a pedal, but wait till you see the reaction from people, when they hear music coming from a razor blade ( actually the earpiece)
Don't forget to mount it all, onto a nice piece of polished wood
(that's where we got the term breadboard)
http://members.aol.com/djadamson7/articles/foxhole.html
http://bizarrelabs.com/foxhole.htm
or just type ( hoxhole radio ) into Google
Don't forget to tell us, about the Big Muff, when you finish it.
We recently built one up from scratch, at work one quiet afternoon
Enjoy your new found skills. |
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jack
Platinum Member
USA
1418 Posts |
Posted - 10/09/2006 : 18:11:45
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Thanks for the words of encouragement Dr. Bob. I will look into that radio project as that sounds interesting, and since I used to work in radio, it might be kind of fun as well.
I will definitely keep you informed of the Big Muff developments, should be interesting, its based on the older Triangle version of the Muff.
Right now, its definitely just a hobby, but I am trying to figure out ways to make it more of a career or job, either by making "boutique" pedals, doing repairs, or just getting some sort of job working on and with electronics. Especially since I am putting more time and thought to this new found hobby as opposed to my current job.
I am also thinking about trying to build some amps in the future as I have heard good things and seen nice results from 18watt.com (I think that is the right address).
I'll try to take some pics of my new toys soon to show everyone... |
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bossarea
Forum Admin
United Kingdom
3652 Posts |
Posted - 10/09/2006 : 18:45:03
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Also consider building the clones from scratch instead of using kits. It's cheaper, you learn skills like etching your own PCB and it's good fun.
On the downside, it takes more time and if you drill a hole in the wrong place it could actually cost more than the kit. |
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diggum12
Silver Member
USA
282 Posts |
Posted - 10/09/2006 : 19:27:31
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Bossarea, would you mind providing a link for etching your own PCB?
Thanks! |
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bossarea
Forum Admin
United Kingdom
3652 Posts |
Posted - 10/09/2006 : 19:43:21
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Don't think I have any links readily available.
I'm using the procedure outlined on the back of an etching kit I bought  |
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jack
Platinum Member
USA
1418 Posts |
Posted - 10/09/2006 : 19:46:21
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quote:
Originally posted by bossarea
Also consider building the clones from scratch instead of using kits. It's cheaper, you learn skills like etching your own PCB and it's good fun.
On the downside, it takes more time and if you drill a hole in the wrong place it could actually cost more than the kit.
Yeah, I have thought about that but figured I should make sure I had the skills to make one before I went through all the trouble sourcing my own parts. However, the BYOC kits are reasonably priced (in the States, though I heard some of the international distributor prices get jacked up), and the difference in price between most of the kits and sourcing is only a few dollars if its just for 1 pedal. If I need to make several of one pedal, I'm sure sourcing would be cheaper, since you can get quantity discounts on components, but right now, while it would be fun to make money at it, I am having fun doing it for myself for free.
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Basstyra
Gold Member
France
523 Posts |
Posted - 10/09/2006 : 21:33:07
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http://basstyra.free.fr/atelier/pages/ampliradio/ampliradio.html
Yes, consider making your stuff from scratch... I made this amp from the scratch of an olp Philips all tube radio, an you know what ? It sound great !!
And it's way more fun. You don't just follow some instructions, you really make it with your own means. |
Edited by - Basstyra on 10/09/2006 21:35:01 |
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bossarea
Forum Admin
United Kingdom
3652 Posts |
Posted - 10/09/2006 : 23:24:42
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Cool, before I could afford to buy my first amp I used to play through a valve radio.
I love how there's a spare valve stored next to the speaker |
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Basstyra
Gold Member
France
523 Posts |
Posted - 10/09/2006 : 23:56:53
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| It's not a spare valve. It's a magic eye, used to show some information about syntonisation. It's not a amplifier valve. |
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bossarea
Forum Admin
United Kingdom
3652 Posts |
Posted - 10/10/2006 : 01:22:28
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Aha, yes I can see it now when I look at the front of the radio.
I thought it was a spare because it isn't connected but I guess that's one of your modifications then. |
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stahlhart
Platinum Member
1318 Posts |
Posted - 10/10/2006 : 01:24:56
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It's the tube equivalent of a "S" (signal strength) meter. I've got an old Philco AM/FM tuner from the early '60s that has one. They kind of look like this when they're working:
You usually had two "halves", and they came to their closest point to one another when you tuned to the maximum signal strength of a station.
/I'll sadly miss analog radio broadcasting when it's gone
//hopefully I go first
///doubt it
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FRANZONI
Double Platinum Member
Ireland
3543 Posts |
Posted - 10/13/2006 : 02:35:34
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jack...great topic..i have thought about buying kits to build pedals out of a guitar mag...but i love the good ol' boss pedals.(and with a junior helper (a jammy finger...!!!!)......what i have become interested in is mantain/fixing my old amps because the people to help me in this endevour seem to be a sadly an endangered species in ireland.. i have three old amps.. a selmer stadium,a 70's marshall superbass mk2 and a musicman hd130 and they have lasted the test of time....these are amps that are used regulary for gigs so i need to be able to keep them to their best..my brother in law is a electrical engineer and has helped me in the past on a guitar rewire...but to be honest i don't want to take up his only spare time on my projects..which in good irish fashion usually end up in the local pub... ..with the usual arguments between electronic engineers and musicians why valves sound better than digital..and why speakers do what they do..!!..basstyra,bossarea i grew up on plugging my guitar into the nearest phonogram/radio...maybe thats why i'm so sad about my selmer stadium.....stahlhart... as usual the nail on the head.. i haven't had time to sort out the vinyl with the head of the clan....!!!(the father in law) a supporter of ana log tech ..i will miss analog when its gone too ...... |
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jack
Platinum Member
USA
1418 Posts |
Posted - 10/13/2006 : 04:03:30
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| Franz, check out 18watt.com, I think you need to register, which I haven't done, but I heard that is a good site for amp builders and DIYers... |
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jack
Platinum Member
USA
1418 Posts |
Posted - 10/13/2006 : 08:23:19
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Sorry for all the emoticons, but there is no emoticon to express the happiness I am feeling right now after completing my 2nd build of a Big Muff (Triangle version) clone. Its 2am, so I only played for about 5 minutes, but it is already my favorite fuzz (don't worry Boss fans, the MT-2 [Keeley modded] is still my favorite distortion). Just some thick ass fuzz...I fucking love it! |
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My New Hobby...
