Post-Lockdown pedal building

english_bob · April 2021

paulcaye said:
Looks like a great project.

I am in the middle of doing a midi controlled fuzz, when I say in the middle of, I mean I have all the bits just not built it yet.

Are you building from a kit, or making it up as you go along?

If it's a kit, where's it from?

paulcaye · April 2021

english_bob said:

paulcaye said:
Looks like a great project.

I am in the middle of doing a midi controlled fuzz, when I say in the middle of, I mean I have all the bits just not built it yet.

Are you building from a kit, or making it up as you go along?

If it's a kit, where's it from?

The fuzz is the basic fuzzdog bazz fuzz. The midi part I have had on my breadboard for a while with a teensey unit. Just have to put the two together, it is going to be completely controlled via midi, no knobs or switches. Midi to switch on / off and change the settings, just need to get a few hours to put it together.

Then it is onto bigger midi controlled things, assuming I don't frig it up and spend 4 months doing it!

tanihhiavlt · April 2021

paulcaye said:

english_bob said:

paulcaye said:
Looks like a great project.

I am in the middle of doing a midi controlled fuzz, when I say in the middle of, I mean I have all the bits just not built it yet.

Are you building from a kit, or making it up as you go along?

If it's a kit, where's it from?

The fuzz is the basic fuzzdog bazz fuzz. The midi part I have had on my breadboard for a while with a teensey unit. Just have to put the two together, it is going to be completely controlled via midi, no knobs or switches. Midi to switch on / off and change the settings, just need to get a few hours to put it together.

Then it is onto bigger midi controlled things, assuming I don't frig it up and spend 4 months doing it!

That sounds really interesting - does that mean you'll be using the analogue out to control the resistors normally in the fuzz?
I saw a break-bout board for one of those... I'd be really keen to see that!
I guess the other approach would be 2 LDRs and an LED ... or is there a better way?

Re no knobs... small arduinos make using footswitch combos and holds so much more accessible. I was thinking about setting up a LERA ( http://www.geofex.com/article_folders/lera/lera.htm ) on the expression controller and using the two bank pedals to select the mode...

paulcaye · April 2021

tanihhiavlt said:

paulcaye said:

english_bob said:

paulcaye said:
Looks like a great project.

I am in the middle of doing a midi controlled fuzz, when I say in the middle of, I mean I have all the bits just not built it yet.

Are you building from a kit, or making it up as you go along?

If it's a kit, where's it from?

The fuzz is the basic fuzzdog bazz fuzz. The midi part I have had on my breadboard for a while with a teensey unit. Just have to put the two together, it is going to be completely controlled via midi, no knobs or switches. Midi to switch on / off and change the settings, just need to get a few hours to put it together.

Then it is onto bigger midi controlled things, assuming I don't frig it up and spend 4 months doing it!

That sounds really interesting - does that mean you'll be using the analogue out to control the resistors normally in the fuzz?
I saw a break-bout board for one of those... I'd be really keen to see that!
I guess the other approach would be 2 LDRs and an LED ... or is there a better way?

Re no knobs... small arduinos make using footswitch combos and holds so much more accessible. I was thinking about setting up a LERA ( http://www.geofex.com/article_folders/lera/lera.htm ) on the expression controller and using the two bank pedals to select the mode...

I am going to try with a digital potentiometer instead of the variable resistor in the fuzz and using midi (either PC or CC) messages to control the value upto 100. I also have a LCD display to fit also, but not had chance to play with that yet.

Once I have it working, then I can see at how I can expand it out.

NelsonP · April 2021

Here's my first ever build. A green ringer from JedsPeds. Worked first time, much to my amazement....

I cut the legs on the LED before I realised that I should have left them much longer, so I had to replace that, which was a bit of a pain.

...and yes, I spent a while polishing that enclosure.

slowpilgrim · April 2021

I have a silly question about vintage transistors. I fancy making a sun face clone with CV7005s. I’ve found a seller who tests them individually to suit Q1, but can’t find any high gain ones online for Q2. How do builders source their parts? I assume just ordering in bulk then praying you get some good ones?

slowpilgrim · April 2021

Also, is there a special type of paint pen you use on guitar pedals for doing fine script? Example here:

https://reverb.com/item/3827638-vemuram-jan-ray-clone

I've always painted on my lettering but this looks much more polished.

WeZ84 · April 2021

slowpilgrim said:

Also, is there a special type of paint pen you use on guitar pedals for doing fine script? Example here:

https://reverb.com/item/3827638-vemuram-jan-ray-clone

I've always painted on my lettering but this looks much more polished.

One of the finer tipped Posca pens will work for that

chromatuna · May 2021

Posted this in the wrong place initially...

Well lockdown has kind of finished but I finally got around to building a kit which is Jed Peds Magna Vibes. At the pre switch and LED stage but it’s sounding lovely. Not keen on pure pitch vibrato but it’s a kind of tremolo / vibrato hybrid which I really like. Absolute bargain considering how much this kind of pedal sells for. Need to figure out how to make it go a bit slower, have some leads on that, photos when it’s boxed etc.

Update - Since I have worked out how to add pictures again (hit space!) here it is. Chorus blue was only working spray can I had. There’s a switchable Kl*n style buffer inside and I modded it a bit to go more slowly, gets more subtle the slower it goes but that’s fine with me. Loving the effect

stickyfiddle · June 2021

Not quite in lockdown any more but these are too good not to share - saw them on Instagram and then on guitarworld. This guy in the US is doing a whole bunch of pretty custom enclosures, so I ordered a handful - some below and some others that I’ll unveil once I’ve worked out what I’m putting in them. A couple of rehouse jobs I think, and maybe a couple of new builds.

Full review and separate post when they arrive! I’m hoping they’re as good as look in the demo images

Cookiemonster · June 2021

Awaiting my boxes from Tayda to box some up, I have so many to do now

roberty · June 2021

It's still lockdown for another 5 weeks at least? I finished this last night. Not the prettiest but something I needed. SHO clone with an output attenuator and an input cap blend. The cap blend takes out some of the low bass which I hope will tighten things up when smashing the front end of an amp. It is very subtle in its current form so will maybe look at lowering the small cap value if I can be bothered. I won't make any changes until I've tried it in anger (could be some time given the way things are going)

roberty · June 2021

Oh I got the hoof reaper clone kit from fuzz dog, without the enclosure tho. That will be a fun build. PCB is luxury after hand wiring/vero

Cookiemonster · June 2021

roberty said:

Oh I got the hoof reaper clone kit from fuzz dog, without the enclosure tho. That will be a fun build. PCB is luxury after hand wiring/vero

Nice I did think about getting the reaper

slowpilgrim · June 2021

stickyfiddle said:

Not quite in lockdown any more but these are too good not to share - saw them on Instagram and then on guitarworld. This guy in the US is doing a whole bunch of pretty custom enclosures, so I ordered a handful - some below and some others that I’ll unveil once I’ve worked out what I’m putting in them. A couple of rehouse jobs I think, and maybe a couple of new builds.

Full review and separate post when they arrive! I’m hoping they’re as good as look in the demo images

middle one is a beauty, any idea how it's made? look like either paint dropped onto water and then the enclosure is submerged, like swirl painting but without swirling. or maybe just paint dropped onto the enclosure with some kind of carrier, like a solvent?

stickyfiddle · June 2021

slowpilgrim said:

stickyfiddle said:

Not quite in lockdown any more but these are too good not to share - saw them on Instagram and then on guitarworld. This guy in the US is doing a whole bunch of pretty custom enclosures, so I ordered a handful - some below and some others that I’ll unveil once I’ve worked out what I’m putting in them. A couple of rehouse jobs I think, and maybe a couple of new builds.

Full review and separate post when they arrive! I’m hoping they’re as good as look in the demo images

middle one is a beauty, any idea how it's made? look like either paint dropped onto water and then the enclosure is submerged, like swirl painting but without swirling. or maybe just paint dropped onto the enclosure with some kind of carrier, like a solvent?

Yeah, I can’t wait to get them, though not sure what’s going on any yet.

I believe that one is ink drops onto the pedal while it’s wet with some holding compound (possibly alcohol based). Keep an eye on the guy’s Instagram stories a lbs he does the odd demo clip of the process.

https://instagram.com/gear_ant

benga · June 2021

I’m in awe of all of you

This thread has got me wanting to have a go myself. Any recommended starter tool kits out there for someone that has none of of the required tools? Jedspeds had a kit but it looks like some of it is out of stock so l’d need to by extra bits anyway: https://www.jedspeds.co.uk/product-page/beginners-tool-kit

Cookiemonster · June 2021

benga said:

I’m in awe of all of you

This thread has got me wanting to have a go myself. Any recommended starter tool kits out there for someone that has none of of the required tools? Jedspeds had a kit but it looks like some of it is out of stock so l’d need to by extra bits anyway: https://www.jedspeds.co.uk/product-page/beginners-tool-kit

You don't need much.
I have a hakko now for the soldering iron. But you really don't need to spend that much to get started.

You need a soldering iron, some good choices online, Jeds sell one. Similar ones are on amazon or ebay, you will want a finer tip though.
You need some solder 60/40 is recommended mostly. I actually use led free though
If you have screwdrivers etc you can pretty much get away with just this and a bazz fuss kit. Only a few parts and easy to make
If you can get a soldering iron that has a variable heat on it.
Importantly you don't want the iron to low, it's actually better to be hotter.
Watch some videos online of how to solder, there is a channel called diy pedals, you will learn a lot on that.
For identifing parts that come with the kit, I would get a multi meter, it's much easier than reading the bands on the resistors.
For the caps initially just Google or ask.
Lots of people will help.
Down the line you can get a fairly cheap 15 tester that will tell you cap values and HFE if the transistor.

On Amazon you can get a pcb holder, and a plastic/ rubber matt that makes it easier and cleaner.

You do need some side cutters if you don't already have some.

Cookiemonster · June 2021

I started out with something like this, but the iron wasn't great. Actually more the tips. But I made a good few before I upgraded.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08C9YQ62T/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_QE1C2A04R5Z9HPGDTG7R ;

I still have the bag/case though and still use the cutters I just upgraded most of it as I got better.

stickyfiddle · June 2021

I've had a cheapish Weller for a long time that's done me pretty well. It keeps eating tips since I moved to abu dhabi - I assume because the voltage here is about 245V so the iron itself is getting too hot. I've almost run out of tips now so I see a temp-controlled unit in the not-too-distant future.

Re starter kits, I'm a big fan of Fuzzdog stuff - try one of his 1-pot boosters as a starting point and you'll soon get into it. They usually have about 10 components on a simple board, so it's easy to sort your parts and relatively difficult to make mistakes

benga · June 2021

Thanks for the info. I’d started going down a rabbit hole thinking about getting some decent kit to start with, but you’re right - start small and see if it’s for me.

The kit Cookiemonster linked too looks like it covers most bases for a beginner.

Had a look at the instructions for both Fuzzdod and Jedspeds, and Jeds seems to have more detailed instructions for a total beginner so might start with one of their kits.

benga · June 2021

Cookiemonster said:

Down the line you can get a fairly cheap 15 tester that will tell you cap values and HFE if the transistor.

Showing my lack of knowledge here - what’s a 15 tester? Google’s not helping.

Cookiemonster · June 2021

benga said:

Cookiemonster said:

Down the line you can get a fairly cheap 15 tester that will tell you cap values and HFE if the transistor.

Showing my lack of knowledge here - what’s a 15 tester? Google’s not helping.

Sorry I meant £15, there is a whole bunch of these on eBay at varying prices.
Example link below
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Transistor-Tester-Capacitance-Meter-Electronic-Component-NPN-PNP-JFET-LCR-TC1-/184862383896?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286

Cookiemonster · June 2021

benga said:

Thanks for the info. I’d started going down a rabbit hole thinking about getting some decent kit to start with, but you’re right - start small and see if it’s for me.

The kit Cookiemonster linked too looks like it covers most bases for a beginner.

Had a look at the instructions for both Fuzzdod and Jedspeds, and Jeds seems to have more detailed instructions for a total beginner so might start with one of their kits.

I have used both Jeds and Fuzz Dog and I rate both.
Jeds has a really fantastic support page on Facebook that helped me a lot at the start.
If you want a good easy first one the Bazz Fuss is very easy with really detailed instructions, it has like 6 parts, but sounds huge
Fuzz dog is super fast for postage and is highly recommended as well.
Then there is Vero, if you like idea of that Bitsbox do kits.

The only think about that cheap solder kit is the tips do not last. So if you are thinking of spending the extra on a better iron that would be the area to invest in.
I did find the cheaper kit useful for the tools etc. There probably are similar kits without the iron.

Definitely get a solder sucker ! That is a must for when you need to redo something or change a part.

Eventually I got tired of the poor quality iron and bought this

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B077B9Q6SJ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_5VTSPRF7NG93BF1P5BT2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Another thing is join all the diy pedal pages on Facebook and Reddit you will get lots of help on them.

Also if you don't mind drilling to your own boxes you can just get the board and source the components, which is what I do now.

I learnt a lot about soldering by buying some cheap PCBs to practice on from otalgia on eBay, for such a cheap price you can build some very good circuits.

english_bob · June 2021

benga said:

The kit Cookiemonster linked too looks like it covers most bases for a beginner.
Had a look at the instructions for both Fuzzdod and Jedspeds, and Jeds seems to have more detailed instructions for a total beginner so might start with one of their kits.

If you think detailed instructions will help you (they will, IMO), Build Your Own Clone pedals go even further than Jeds Peds.

UK dealer is www.vibe-o-tronic.co.uk. Limited and less trendy choices, but really beginner friendly if they have something that takes your fancy.

stickyfiddle · June 2021

Yeah, BYOC are decent - my first build was one of theirs and went very smoothly. Must've been 15+ years ago now.

Cookiemonster · June 2021

stickyfiddle said:

Yeah, BYOC are decent - my first build was one of theirs and went very smoothly. Must've been 15+ years ago now.

I haven't tried these, looks a bit expensive. But heard great things about BYOC

There is also the German site. musikding kits. That's has pedal PCB ones which I would like to try

Cookiemonster · June 2021

Cookiemonster said:

benga said:

Thanks for the info. I’d started going down a rabbit hole thinking about getting some decent kit to start with, but you’re right - start small and see if it’s for me.

The kit Cookiemonster linked too looks like it covers most bases for a beginner.

Had a look at the instructions for both Fuzzdod and Jedspeds, and Jeds seems to have more detailed instructions for a total beginner so might start with one of their kits.

I have used both Jeds and Fuzz Dog and I rate both.
Jeds has a really fantastic support page on Facebook that helped me a lot at the start.
If you want a good easy first one the Bazz Fuss is very easy with really detailed instructions, it has like 6 parts, but sounds huge
Fuzz dog is super fast for postage and is highly recommended as well.
Then there is Vero, if you like idea of that Bitsbox do kits.

The only think about that cheap solder kit is the tips do not last. So if you are thinking of spending the extra on a better iron that would be the area to invest in.
I did find the cheaper kit useful for the tools etc. There probably are similar kits without the iron.

Definitely get a solder sucker ! That is a must for when you need to redo something or change a part.

Eventually I got tired of the poor quality iron and bought this

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B077B9Q6SJ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_5VTSPRF7NG93BF1P5BT2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Another thing is join all the diy pedal pages on Facebook and Reddit you will get lots of help on them.

Also if you don't mind drilling to your own boxes you can just get the board and source the components, which is what I do now.

I learnt a lot about soldering by buying some cheap PCBs to practice on from otalgia on eBay, for such a cheap price you can build some very good circuits.

If you get a kit and need a hand, I will be happy to help

andy_k · June 2021

Cookiemonster said:

stickyfiddle said:

Yeah, BYOC are decent - my first build was one of theirs and went very smoothly. Must've been 15+ years ago now.

I haven't tried these, looks a bit expensive. But heard great things about BYOC

There is also the German site. musikding kits. That's has pedal PCB ones which I would like to try

Musikding are nice kits, but post brexit, might not be as cost effective.
Fuzzdog are highly recommended, take care with options when ordering- boxes and knobs are not inc in full kits, but at the end of the day, something like the Emperor, which seems expensive, actually is very good value compared to the pedal it is based on.
Something like the Noisy cricket is very rewarding, and IMO, the Angry Andy is a brilliant, simple first attempt.
I did the Wrecktifier BECAUSE it is listed as a hard pedal, and it really wasn't that hard, just a good exercise in planning.
Get a multimeter, a cheap iron and some good wire trimmers and you'll be golden.

benga · June 2021

Once again this forum proves how nice it is

Thanks for all the advice.

I saw that soldering station recommend in a few places Cookiemonster - if I get in to it I might slip it on to my birthday wish list. And thank you so much for the offer of help - you may regret that

Last question and I promise I’ll hit the order button…

PCB holder

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Duratool-DURATOOL-D03170-PCB-HOLDER/dp/B072BCZCXP/ref=sr_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=Pcb+clamp&qid=1624573599&s=diy&sr=1-6

or

Helping hand

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Silverline-282589-Heavy-Helping-Hands/dp/B000T9UCHI/ref=sr_1_26?dchild=1&keywords=Helping+hand+soldering&qid=1624573745&s=diy&sr=1-26

or both?

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Post-Lockdown pedal building

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