BYOC Tremster BUILD thread

[Mr. Pickles]

I've wanted to do this for a long time now and I finally took the plunge. Today, I ordered a BYOC Tremster kit, but only after reading throught the instructions and deciding that I could manage the build. I'm a total newbie to effects building.

Caveat - I did build an overdrive from a schematic on GGG. I etched my own circuit board which was really enjoyable, and it came out decent, but my drilling and soldering sucked hard. I'm not even sure the damn think works: when I engage the pedal, my tone is...darker, for lack of a better term.

So, I hope to redeem myself with this build. Consider it a do-over, as I hope to lose my pedal building virginity a second time

After ordering, I realized that I forgot to put the free confidence booster and signal tester in my online cart. I sent BYOC an e-mail and, to their credit, they already took care of it. About twenty minutes later, I received an e-mail stating that my order had shipped. Color me impressed.

I want to use this thread to post pictures of the build in progress and to field questions. And of course I'll post sound clips or videos of the final product.

I hope to paint the enclosure and find some nifty knobs to replace the stock ones. I'd like it to be white with red knobs and have a custom graphic to make it unique. A clear decal would be fine.

I did an image search for "Delerium Tremens" and found a cool sketch, but I have to contact the artist first to see if I can use it before posting.

And we're off!

[rratajski]

Welcome back to pedal building!
Super fun...when stuff works right!

Looking forward to news on the build.

[rcubed]

I have that schematic and was thinking about building that one up before taking the plunge of buying a tremolo. But I've been working other projects and have a bad case of tremolo GAS. Good luck with the build, there are plenty of us around here that can help out.

[Mr. Pickles]

I pulled out my cheapo 15 watt Radio Shack iron and the tip has some rust. Should I clean it, or purchase some replacements? The tutorials on the BYOC site recommend 25-40 watts for pcb work, so I'm assuming that I should just get a new iron. I'll keep the 15 watt iron as a backup, though.

I have all the tools and some left over kit from my previous ill-fated build including: rosin core solder, wire of various guages,
some extra fluted knobs with chrome centers, x-acto knife,
screwdrivers, and a wire stripper. Am I missing anything?

I've been reading up on how to finish the enclosure, but I think this might be out of my league. Suggestions?

[Kooldac]

Originally Posted by Mr. Pickles

I have all the tools and some left over kit from my previous ill-fated build including: rosin core solder, wire of various guages,
some extra fluted knobs with chrome centers, x-acto knife,
screwdrivers, and a wire stripper. Am I missing anything?

Some extras that aren't necessary, but are of some help

isopropyl alcohol for cleaning solder side of board when done
close cutting wire cutters for snipping off component ends
wick if you want to remove solder for replacing components

[rratajski]

Pick up the 30w iron from RS. It's lasted me over a year w/ no issues.
Yes, get replacement tips...they're less than $2. RS tips get cruddy and wear down very quickly (after 5-6 hours of use).

For the enclosure:
1. Sand well.
2. Clean with soap/water and allow to dry.
3. Apply primer (Rustoleum for metal).
4. Cook @ 150 deg. in an old toaster oven (that you'll never use for cooking) for 30 mins.
5. Allow time to cool.
6. Apply spraypaint color (Rustoleum for metal).
7. Cook @ 150 deg. in an old toaster oven (that you'll never use for cooking) for 30 mins.
8. Allow time to cool.

If it needs another coat, spray again and repeat Step 7.

Then you can add decals or paint, etc.......

[rcubed]

Originally Posted by rratajski

Pick up the 30w iron from RS. It's lasted me over a year w/ no issues.
Yes, get replacement tips...they're less than $2. RS tips get cruddy and wear down very quickly (after 5-6 hours of use).

For the enclosure:
1. Sand well.
2. Clean with soap/water and allow to dry.
3. Apply primer (Rustoleum for metal).
4. Cook @ 150 deg. in an old toaster oven (that you'll never use for cooking) for 30 mins.
5. Allow time to cool.
6. Apply spraypaint color (Rustoleum for metal).
7. Cook @ 150 deg. in an old toaster oven (that you'll never use for cooking) for 30 mins.
8. Allow time to cool.

If it needs another coat, spray again and repeat Step 7.

Then you can add decals or paint, etc.......

That's similar to what I did when I painted my enclosure except I was impatient and didn't allow it time to cool down properly. I used our oven at work and cleaned it with MEK before applying the primer. It turned out pretty good for a rushed job that had no planning ahead of time.

Don't use cheap irons. They'll only frustrate you. Also if you don't want to clean the board with alcohol, get a dental pick to pick off the flux from the rosin core solder.

[Mr. Pickles]

I think I'm going to ask my co-workers if anyone has an old toaster over lying around

[bassman1185]

Originally Posted by Mr. Pickles

I think I'm going to ask my co-workers if anyone has an old toaster over lying around

If you're planning on building more pedals, you can just buy a cheap toaster oven for $20 or so at Wal Mart.

[rratajski]

Originally Posted by bassman1185

If you're planning on building more pedals, you can just buy a cheap toaster oven for $20 or so at Wal Mart.

Yeah man! I retired our old toaster oven and got a new one at Blood, Bath, and Beyond (watch out for the Beyond section...whoo) for about that price.
Definitely check BB&B and/or Wally World.

[markjazzbassist]

Originally Posted by rratajski

Super fun...when stuff works right!

couldn't have said it better myself. i've got 4 on the debugging shelf right now.

when it works, you've created a masterpiece and can't wait to build more.

when it doesn't, quitting sounds really good.

dang BYOC leeds fuzz

[Mr. Pickles]

I'm scared now. Are you guys saying that it's more than likely that the thing won't work right?

I opened up my kit and look what I found. It seems I bought this on a whim and forgot about it.



25 watt Weller iron!!!

[rratajski]

It's like finding a $20 bill in an old jacket pocket...except you spent $20, so I guess it's like losing $20 you didn't know you had...haha

So yeah man...I mean it's like a 70/30% chance that it will/won't work when you fire it up. The debugging process is THE WORST. If it doesn't work first, melt EVERYTHING again, check-double check-triple check your wiring. After two more refires, put it away for two days then come back to it. It'll make people like you better. My wife HATES me when I screw up pedals...when leads to me hating myself more

[NickyBass]

I just picked up a 250 kit, and am halfway through the confidence booster. It's a mess. I think I'm going to pick up 2 more of the boost kits to work through before I attempt anything more involved. To me, the goal isn't to have it work the first time--the goal is to keep getting better after each try. I've always wanted to work on electronics, and I'm going to go a slow as I need, and make as many mistakes as needed. Sooner or later, I'll get it.

One other tool that might come in handy is a small clamp to hold the work steady.

[Mr. Pickles]

I'll just go slow and think positive.

If anyone needs a resistor, let me know; I have a bazillion of them... And speaking of resistors,

*warning* Noob question forthcoming

does it matter which direction they go when I mount them on the pcb?

[WarriorJoe7]

Yes they always have to go north to south and you can never rotate the efefct pedal or else it will stop working



ok ok no it doesnt matter for resistors and caps (usually) but for a few other components it does matter.

[rratajski]

Originally Posted by NickyBass

I just picked up a 250 kit, and am halfway through the confidence booster. It's a mess. I think I'm going to pick up 2 more of the boost kits to work through before I attempt anything more involved. To me, the goal isn't to have it work the first time--the goal is to keep getting better after each try. I've always wanted to work on electronics, and I'm going to go a slow as I need, and make as many mistakes as needed. Sooner or later, I'll get it.

One other tool that might come in handy is a small clamp to hold the work steady.

That gets expensive...You might want to look into GGG. You can order w/out the enclosure and save $12 there. You can use one enclosure for different builds to make sure they work...especially if you're 'practicing' on the same circuit...unless you want 2 or 3 boosts on your board

[rcubed]

Originally Posted by Mr. Pickles

I'm scared now. Are you guys saying that it's more than likely that the thing won't work right?

Hey, all of my pedals work right!

[NickyBass]

Originally Posted by rratajski

That gets expensive...You might want to look into GGG. You can order w/out the enclosure and save $12 there. You can use one enclosure for different builds to make sure they work...especially if you're 'practicing' on the same circuit...unless you want 2 or 3 boosts on your board

Haha. No, I really don't need any boosts on my board. The one at BYOC is just a very basic circuit and doesn't come with an enclosure, switch or even AC jack.

It's only around $15 and designed to be a practise run.

[markjazzbassist]

Originally Posted by Mr. Pickles

I'm scared now. Are you guys saying that it's more than likely that the thing won't work right?

yep. then it's the joy of debugging. luckily there are great forums to post pics and ask questions. and it will build your patience and self-control. also i have started drinking a brewski or 2 while debugging to chill out since i'm so pissed the dang thing doesn't work. oh well.