Building a Jumbo Tone Bender

isher1992 · #1 08-08-2010, 04:27 PM

So this is my first homemade project EVER. I've done modding to a CryBaby, my ATK preamp, and a few other things, but this is my first ever stab at building an effect, so I have a few questions:

1. I've never used a perfboard, so how exactly do I mirror PCB layouts I find, or make all the connections? Do I just solder the line on to the copper tracing to the next connection?

2. How exactly do I decipher what component is what, aside from matching values?

I'm going off this schematic:

http://fuzzcentral.ssguitar.com/sche...enderschem.gif

Taylor Livingston · #2 08-08-2010, 05:46 PM

At this stage in your DIY journey, I would recommend that you build on a PCB. That same website has PCB layouts. You can get somebody like aziltz to etch you a board, and I believe he is now offering tinning on boards, which is great.

A quick Google search for "how to read schematics" finds countless tutorials to get you going.

isher1992 · #3 08-08-2010, 06:09 PM

Is there a kit that comes with the whole thing? I have a few of the necessary components, but it looks like I'll have to invest quite a bit of money in this.

isher1992 · #4 08-08-2010, 06:13 PM

Striike that. Is there a difference between the two knob and the three knob versions, tonally?

isher1992 · #5 08-08-2010, 06:31 PM

You know what? I think I'm gonna go reclaim my old black Big Muff from my buddy and give him back his Grunge pedal and just take that route.

karter2000 · #6 08-08-2010, 07:53 PM

Big +1 on getting a quality etched board, especially for a first project. I got my board from JD at General Guitar Gadgets, and it worked great: http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/...category_id=16. His project page contains all the project build notes, schematic, wiring diagram and parts list.

I've only heard of a three-knob Jumbo Tonebender.