Post-Lockdown pedal building

Cookiemonster · September 2022

For transistors and parts I use bitsbox. They are sent very quickly

english_bob · September 2022

euan said:

Always try and socket your transistors. For this very reason.

Side note something that just popped into my head that isn’t related, don’t get your TL071s mixed up with your 72s otherwise you’ll end up troubleshooting something that isn’t broken

The absolute number one tip for building pedals has to be to go slow, keep everything ordered while you're building and double check everything before you solder anything. Pretty much every mistake I've ever made building pedal kits has been because I was rushing and not paying enough attention. Sometimes they're easy to rectify, sometimes not, so it's better not to fuck up in the first place.

That said, I'm not a fan of Jed's Peds' instructions- they have a habit of hiding important details (component orientation, trimpot settings etc) in amongst stuff you don't necessarily want to read, like explanations of how components work, so it's easy to miss something that might turn out to be important. (credit where it's due- some DIY suppliers' build guides are woefully lacking in essential details, and Jed's are emphatically not in that category).

Build Your Own Clone are the best at guiding an absolute beginner through the process of assembling a pedal from a kit, and a lot of what's helpful in their step-by-step guides is applicable to any pedal kit you buy, regardless of where you get it from. It's the height of nerdiness, but I'd say that reading one or two of their instruction sheets might be a good introduction to pedal building even if you never buy one of their kits.

https://buildyourownclone.com/

markblack · September 2022

@roberty i flipped the transistors - had to snip them i the end and hey presto it's fuzzy! the soldering ain't pretty but I'll put that down to a lesson.

Thanks to everyone else who chipped in - super helpful as always.

Cheers

Mark

roberty · September 2022

@markblack great stuff Mark. Not easy to flip a transitor! It's a great circuit, enjoy

roberty · September 2022

Hakko sponges on Amazon! My one's knackered

Hakko Soldering Iron Cleaning Sponge A1559 , Grey https://amzn.eu/d/6t78Xfw

I think I'm going to order a Belton Brick reverb from Fuzz Dog, the one with the tone control. I'm hitting a dirty amp and I think it'll work well in that context. I have a True Spring which is literally perfect as a spring emulation, but it's maybe a little too complex for my needs

roberty · September 2022

Did a few light bits and bobs today after a fairly heavy night

i was right about the Belton Brick, it does sound good into a crunchy amp. I got the long spring tank, think I would opt for medium if I could choose again. It's lo fi and trashy, reminds me of BBC Radiophonic Workshop. A friend is drawing some graphics for the decal

The MZF-1 is interesting. It sounds a bit lacking on its own but pushing a dirty Marshall style amp it is glorious. I think it'll work well on bass so I look forward to giving that a try. I've got some graphics ready for the decal

Cookiemonster · September 2022

roberty said:

Did a few light bits and bobs today after a fairly heavy night

i was right about the Belton Brick, it does sound good into a crunchy amp. I got the long spring tank, think I would opt for medium if I could choose again. It's lo fi and trashy, reminds me of BBC Radiophonic Workshop. A friend is drawing some graphics for the decal

The MZF-1 is interesting. It sounds a bit lacking on its own but pushing a dirty Marshall style amp it is glorious. I think it'll work well on bass so I look forward to giving that a try. I've got some graphics ready for the decal

Very inspiring.

I made a moonn electronics one that is very strange. And just finished a delay for someone on a band locally

Keefy · September 2022

roberty said:

Did a few light bits and bobs today after a fairly heavy night

i was right about the Belton Brick, it does sound good into a crunchy amp. I got the long spring tank, think I would opt for medium if I could choose again. It's lo fi and trashy, reminds me of BBC Radiophonic Workshop. A friend is drawing some graphics for the decal

The MZF-1 is interesting. It sounds a bit lacking on its own but pushing a dirty Marshall style amp it is glorious. I think it'll work well on bass so I look forward to giving that a try. I've got some graphics ready for the decal

The Belton Brick module is based around three PT2399 digital delay chips. Quite a few 'spring delay' pedals use the same approach, from the budget (Mosky Spring Reverb) to the boutiquey (J Rockett Boing). I have the former and it works surprisingly well, with the advantage that the dry signal remains analog.

roberty · September 2022

Got any pictures @Cookiemonster or links?

@Keefy I really like the brick delay. Trashy and lo-fi. Thinking about it real spring reverb is considered trashy and lo-fi in the production world. Rudy van Gelder's treatment of Miles Davis' trumpet is probably the most well known example outside of guitar

I put the Fulltone Mas Malo PCB together this afternoon. It has a squelchiness in the treble that reminds me of the Boss FZ-1w. The EQ stage is very well considered. I'll probably give it a go with my band

I think I'm getting the fuzz bug back again. Maybe I'll get a breadboard and conduct my own fuzzy experiments

Cookiemonster · September 2022

roberty said:

Got any pictures @Cookiemonster or links?

@Keefy I really like the brick delay. Trashy and lo-fi. Thinking about it real spring reverb is considered trashy and lo-fi in the production world. Rudy van Gelder's treatment of Miles Davis' trumpet is probably the most well known example outside of guitar

I put the Fulltone Mas Malo PCB together this afternoon. It has a squelchiness in the treble that reminds me of the Boss FZ-1w. The EQ stage is very well considered. I'll probably give it a go with my band

I think I'm getting the fuzz bug back again. Maybe I'll get a breadboard and conduct my own fuzzy experiments

The Eye of Horus was used as a sign of prosperity and protection. I used an ink stamp for this design. I was trying to get it broken up like an old EHX pedal, not sure I succeeded. But it is a great pedal and a clone of the Barbershop from Fairfield Circuitry. I altered it a little and gave it more gain. The Sag Control does wonders to the tone. It's probably my favorite drive pedal. The Jfets are 201 SMD and it really is touch sensitive.

roberty · September 2022

Wow are you soldering SMD @Cookiemonster? Looks great. Just checked the Fairfield prices... you can get two Hakkos for one of those!

Cookiemonster · September 2022

roberty said:

Wow are you soldering SMD @Cookiemonster? Looks great. Just checked the Fairfield prices... you can get two Hakkos for one of those!

I know right. And I built this for what 20/30 pounds ?! It's those smd convertors five cats makes.

Cookiemonster · September 2022

roberty said:

Wow are you soldering SMD @Cookiemonster? Looks great. Just checked the Fairfield prices... you can get two Hakkos for one of those!

My Hakko is my favorite purchase in years

roberty · September 2022

Cookiemonster said:

roberty said:

Wow are you soldering SMD @Cookiemonster? Looks great. Just checked the Fairfield prices... you can get two Hakkos for one of those!

My Hakko is my favorite purchase in years

Yeh I don't know what I'd do without mine now. I've build pedals, I made all my patch leads, rewired guitars, swapped dozens of pickups, wired up speaker cabinets. Very handy

Keefy · September 2022

Cookiemonster said:

roberty said:

Wow are you soldering SMD @Cookiemonster? Looks great. Just checked the Fairfield prices... you can get two Hakkos for one of those!

I know right. And I built this for what 20/30 pounds ?! It's those smd convertors five cats makes.

Tell us more!

Cookiemonster · September 2022

Keefy said:

Cookiemonster said:

roberty said:

Wow are you soldering SMD @Cookiemonster? Looks great. Just checked the Fairfield prices... you can get two Hakkos for one of those!

I know right. And I built this for what 20/30 pounds ?! It's those smd convertors five cats makes.

Tell us more!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/234036475158?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=nnfmtmhes7c&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=r8k58PRST0e&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

Keefy · September 2022

Cookiemonster said:

Keefy said:

Cookiemonster said:

roberty said:

Wow are you soldering SMD @Cookiemonster? Looks great. Just checked the Fairfield prices... you can get two Hakkos for one of those!

I know right. And I built this for what 20/30 pounds ?! It's those smd convertors five cats makes.

Tell us more!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/234036475158?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=nnfmtmhes7c&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=r8k58PRST0e&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

Cool, thanks!

roberty · September 2022

Keefy said:

Cookiemonster said:

Keefy said:

Cookiemonster said:

roberty said:

Wow are you soldering SMD @Cookiemonster? Looks great. Just checked the Fairfield prices... you can get two Hakkos for one of those!

I know right. And I built this for what 20/30 pounds ?! It's those smd convertors five cats makes.

Tell us more!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/234036475158?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=nnfmtmhes7c&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=r8k58PRST0e&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

Cool, thanks!

That is cool. I got stung with some fake J201s off of ebay. Was only a couple of quid though

Cookiemonster · September 2022

roberty said:

Keefy said:

Cookiemonster said:

Keefy said:

Cookiemonster said:

roberty said:

Wow are you soldering SMD @Cookiemonster? Looks great. Just checked the Fairfield prices... you can get two Hakkos for one of those!

I know right. And I built this for what 20/30 pounds ?! It's those smd convertors five cats makes.

Tell us more!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/234036475158?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=nnfmtmhes7c&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=r8k58PRST0e&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

Cool, thanks!

That is cool. I got stung with some fake J201s off of ebay. Was only a couple of quid though

Yes I either look for different jfets now or buy these. You can get them pre soldered as well.

Cookiemonster · September 2022

I have been stung on germanium transistors. I have given up a bit on them. Prices are so high for anything with HFE ratings. And without that it's just guess work on what arrives.

roberty · September 2022

Cookiemonster said:

I have been stung on germanium transistors. I have given up a bit on them. Prices are so high for anything with HFE ratings. And without that it's just guess work on what arrives.

Yeah it's more hassle than it's worth to me as well. I'm happy to buy germanium fuzzes knowing what an absolute ballache it is to source the transistors. I think the only reliable way to get them was to bulk buy from Russia(!) and then test and sort them but that's not going to be happening for a while

stickyfiddle · September 2022

On the subject of soldering, my TS100 is still doing a fabulous job. I just need to actually make some pedals whenever I get a spare minute or 60

roberty · September 2022

I've enjoyed making these last few. It's good to come back fresh

Decided on a theme for the Fulltone Mas Malo clone, I'll call it Mexicola and use day of the dead graphics. It was named after a Mexican restaurant so it's in keeping with the theme

Image: https://t3.ftcdn.net/jpg/01/04/92/70/360_F_104927092_KvApXH6bf4lNJNTU4NIJpiXfdF5y7N6I.jpg

Cookiemonster · September 2022

roberty said:

Cookiemonster said:

I have been stung on germanium transistors. I have given up a bit on them. Prices are so high for anything with HFE ratings. And without that it's just guess work on what arrives.

Yeah it's more hassle than it's worth to me as well. I'm happy to buy germanium fuzzes knowing what an absolute ballache it is to source the transistors. I think the only reliable way to get them was to bulk buy from Russia(!) and then test and sort them but that's not going to be happening for a while

I totally agree. I did buy a bunch and have a few high gain ones I will use to make a peppermint fuzz at some point. But add in all the faff with pnp and the inconsistency of the germs and I think I would prefer to make silicon fuzzes.

Cookiemonster · September 2022

roberty said:

I've enjoyed making these last few. It's good to come back fresh

Decided on a theme for the Fulltone Mas Malo clone, I'll call it Mexicola and use day of the dead graphics. It was named after a Mexican restaurant so it's in keeping with the theme

That looks great. I will start using decals in the next few. I have just been having fun with ink stamps recently

roberty · September 2022

Cookiemonster said:

roberty said:

I've enjoyed making these last few. It's good to come back fresh

Decided on a theme for the Fulltone Mas Malo clone, I'll call it Mexicola and use day of the dead graphics. It was named after a Mexican restaurant so it's in keeping with the theme

That looks great. I will start using decals in the next few. I have just been having fun with ink stamps recently

The only problem with using decals is I'm a bit tight fisted and want to print several designs onto one sheet. So in an effort to save money on decal paper I build three extra pedals instead :-)

I have loads of old kit builds that I am tidying up inside and adding graphics to. It's not as fun as building new ones, but it's worth doing because the standard of my work is higher now

I feel a bit bad about stealing art off the internet but I am not selling these pedals so I suppose it's okay. If I was making something with the intention of selling it I would pay an artist

Cookiemonster · September 2022

roberty said:

Cookiemonster said:

roberty said:

I've enjoyed making these last few. It's good to come back fresh

Decided on a theme for the Fulltone Mas Malo clone, I'll call it Mexicola and use day of the dead graphics. It was named after a Mexican restaurant so it's in keeping with the theme

That looks great. I will start using decals in the next few. I have just been having fun with ink stamps recently

The only problem with using decals is I'm a bit tight fisted and want to print several designs onto one sheet. So in an effort to save money on decal paper I build three extra pedals instead :-)

I have loads of old kit builds that I am tidying up inside and adding graphics to. It's not as fun as building new ones, but it's worth doing because the standard of my work is higher now

I feel a bit bad about stealing art off the internet but I am not selling these pedals so I suppose it's okay. If I was making something with the intention of selling it I would pay an artist

My partner was a fashion designer so she has just made me some artwork. Tempted to try the service from tayda to have them printed

roberty · September 2022

Cookiemonster said:

roberty said:

Cookiemonster said:

roberty said:

I've enjoyed making these last few. It's good to come back fresh

Decided on a theme for the Fulltone Mas Malo clone, I'll call it Mexicola and use day of the dead graphics. It was named after a Mexican restaurant so it's in keeping with the theme

That looks great. I will start using decals in the next few. I have just been having fun with ink stamps recently

The only problem with using decals is I'm a bit tight fisted and want to print several designs onto one sheet. So in an effort to save money on decal paper I build three extra pedals instead :-)

I have loads of old kit builds that I am tidying up inside and adding graphics to. It's not as fun as building new ones, but it's worth doing because the standard of my work is higher now

I feel a bit bad about stealing art off the internet but I am not selling these pedals so I suppose it's okay. If I was making something with the intention of selling it I would pay an artist

My partner was a fashion designer so she has just made me some artwork. Tempted to try the service from tayda to have them printed

Someone in a DIY Pedals Facebook group has been getting printed enclosures from Gojira: https://gojira.co.uk/

A bit more local, Scotland. Their pedals are ace as well, worth a look

roberty · September 2022

Ah, yes: https://gojira.co.uk/uv-printing/

We are now offering UV printing on our enclosures for pedal builders, with no minimum order.
We use Hammond enclosures and stock sizes 1590B, 1590BB and 1590G, with powder coating in either white, black or pink.
Please fill out the form below and we’ll get back to you with a quote.

Cookiemonster · September 2022

roberty said:

Ah, yes: https://gojira.co.uk/uv-printing/
We are now offering UV printing on our enclosures for pedal builders, with no minimum order.
We use Hammond enclosures and stock sizes 1590B, 1590BB and 1590G, with powder coating in either white, black or pink.
Please fill out the form below and we’ll get back to you with a quote.

I dropped them an email the other day. I need to check if they have returned back to me. Wondering if tayda are cheaper

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Post-Lockdown pedal building

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