Any DIY pedal builders on TB? Strut your stuff!

[RobbieK]

Here's my latest build. It's a simple Fender tone-stack boost-only preamp. I mostly use it as a slap contour.

I also made a video about for my Rob Mods YT Channel...

 

[mdalamond]

Here's my latest build. It's a simple Fender tone-stack boost-only preamp. I mostly use it as a slap contour.

View attachment 4210877 View attachment 4210879 View attachment 4210880 View attachment 4210878

I also made a video about for my Rob Mods YT Channel...

As always, love the video. I really enjoy watching how you take he time to explain the circuit and how it basically works. Very informative. I have learned a lot by watching you. Early on one of my first diy stripboard projects was your project Berocca bass preamp. Very cool little pre. Thanks for all you do for the diy community. Cheers
Matt

 

[johnk_10]

i just finished this one about 20 minutes ago:

 

[AudioTaper]

I got my order in from PedalPCB, started populating what I could on the BK3. I had a fun idea to go with it for a practice amp.

My Tayda electronics order is in transit. It shipped out of Hong Kong, has anyone had any issues with the quality of the parts they sell? The order is mostly pots, knobs, and the WIMA caps they stock.

I'm STILL getting my Mouser and Digikey orders together. It's hard when I'm trying to get parts for literally a dozen different projects all in one order (well, one from each place)

But it's all for fun.

 

[mdalamond]

I got my order in from PedalPCB, started populating what I could on the BK3. I had a fun idea to go with it for a practice amp.

My Tayda electronics order is in transit. It shipped out of Hong Kong, has anyone had any issues with the quality of the parts they sell? The order is mostly pots, knobs, and the WIMA caps they stock.

I'm STILL getting my Mouser and Digikey orders together. It's hard when I'm trying to get parts for literally a dozen different projects all in one order (well, one from each place)

But it's all for fun.

I have ordered from Tayda. Haven’t had any trouble with anything from them. I usually order from Mouser, Newark and Stompbox parts. I shop around and try different places. If I Ned it quick and they have it the it’s stompbox parts. I have used other places as well , though I can’t remember, no coffee yet. I’m amazed at how many places there are online that deal in diy pedal parts.
I have had an order from Tayda get here before an order from mouser. They were both ordered same day within minutes apart. Mouser has always been good to me though. I have had orders get lost in the mail and they will promptly send out a replacement with no questions asked.

 

[G.Bisson]

Depth Charge on stripboard into 1590BB.
Had to troubleshoot a resistor leg in the wrong position that grounded the signal right out of the first transistor. Easy to spot and fix. While reviewing the schematic against my layout I also spotted two electrolytic caps with counter-intuitive polarity that I installed backwards. Circuit worked even in the wrong polarity . Replaced those caps with new ones in the correct orientation and didnt notice any change.
I also was experiencing oscillation shrieks. Did my homework reading FSB posts about the Univox Superfuzz that the Depth Charge is derived from. Tested my small supply of 2N3904's to pick the sub 175hfe ones and found a matched pair at 155hfe for the expander Q4 & Q5. Noise and shrieking is now under control at all settings except the top end of the gain pot. This is a unique fuzz that stands apart from the rest. Sounds 'folding' and 'collapsing' if that makes any sense. There is de-compression pumping on note release.
Painted red and blue stripes using masking tape. Crappy lighting and red wash confusing my camera's auto focus created this fun photo

 

[mdalamond]

i just finished this one about 20 minutes ago:

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@johnk_10
As always a beautiful and professional build. I went on your site to check out the specs. While I was there I did something I have never taken the time to do, and I think anyone who goes on your site should do the same. Take the time to read Johns “ about me” page. You sir are a true Legend and inspiration. Im very glad I took the time to read. I would be very interested in reading on how you came about into the effects world. Written with the same level of detail of course. I love your basses and often times visit your site to drool. I have a real soft spot for the Lake Placid Blue Jazzmaster. That bass is gorgeous. Thank you sir for being here and sharing your knowledge, you are a major asset to the music world.

 

[thetragichero]

got some tiny turret boards along with a bunch of npn germanium transistors so i made a few "mojo" fuzz/boost pedals

i rather like this format as regular perf pedals are a pain trying to fit 10lbs of crap into a 5lb bag. that's why I've mostly abandoned pedal building for amp building

 

[Feral Feline]

AION SALE ALERT!
20% off no coupon needed.

If you're looking for the Legacy 1590B boards, select "All" when searching the categories of Fuzz, Preamps or whatever; if you search for "PCBs", all you'll get are the larger 1590N1 boards. For some circuits, I prefer the older 1590B PCBs, even though I'm sticking them in 1590N1 enclosures and going with top-jacks anyways.


Also a sale at PCBGuitarMania. Not as well organised as Aion, but the few problems I had with an order were rectified.

Sale items over at GuitarPCB as well.

...
My Tayda electronics order is in transit. It shipped out of Hong Kong, has anyone had any issues with the quality of the parts they sell? The order is mostly pots, knobs, and the WIMA caps they stock...

Tayda's inexpensive and very close to me, so I've ordered a lot of things from Thailand, which interestingly came from Thailand and not from Hong Kong!

I've not ordered from Tayda in quite some time, though. The last time predates Tayda carrying Wima caps, or I would've ordered a bunch! So, yeah, long time ago. Which brings me to my next point...

I've never had problems with Tayda, itself, always accurate parts counts and prompt shipping. From what I gather, Tayda has upped their quality — from the items they already carried to adding higher-end parts to the catalogue (aforementioned Wima for example).

All pots have been great, and in the vast majority of cases come with pot covers. I did get some cheap Davies clones that upon arrival felt cheap and looked a little cheap in hand, the more colourful ones, but for the price I got what I paid for and they look fine on the pedal itself. The white, black and clear ones as well as some other coloured knobs I got from Tayda are all very good quality. Also, those cheap knobs were from a long time ago, and it's my understanding they may have switched knob manufacturers for that style & colour of knob.

Enclosure selection was fairly limited when I first started ordering from Tayda, now they've got all sorts of crazy colours and pre-drilled boxes for PedalPCB projects which could just as easily be utilised in other builds with a bit of fudging or offboard wiring.

I came across a rather minor complaint in my DIY wanderings, about the Tayda resistors having too thin of leads. The thin leads have never bothered me nor interfered with the building process and I've never had a dud resistor from Tayda. I don't use the resistor leads for jumpers, for that I stick to saving the thicker clipped leads of diodes and caps.

I've tried to find out if the Wima caps are authentic or knockoffs, but haven't found any evidence one way or the other — and unless it's obvious, I probably couldn't tell even if I had some in hand. I need to orders some, and if they've got a distribution hub in HK now, I may have to stroll over and stock up before I make the puddle-jump to the past. Please let me know how the Wima size up for you.

Tayda was always good for some things, but has stepped up its overall game in the last 2 years, IMO.

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@ G.Bisson Thanks for the tip on the 2N3904 hFE. I knew they should be matched but always good to have more info such as the hFE. That board looks well-wedged in there! Love the diver stripes.

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@ JohnK, Is that F-800 for yourself or a customer? Been a while since I've seen you build a Peavey pedal.


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Got some catching up to do on RobbieK's vids!

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I'm curious what's under the hood of that White Rabbit!

With 50 or so Muff variants I already want to tinker with, maybe it's better not to know.

 

[Feral Feline]

got some tiny turret boards along with a bunch of npn germanium transistors so i made a few "mojo" fuzz/boost pedals

View attachment 4211224
View attachment 4211225

i rather like this format as regular perf pedals are a pain trying to fit 10lbs of crap into a 5lb bag. that's why I've mostly abandoned pedal building for amp building

Killer! Love the turret builds!

I've got one stillborn turret build I need to resurrect, but I'll probably try a Manhattan build before I dust off the turret. Plans change though...

 

[johnk_10]

@ JohnK, Is that F-800 for yourself or a customer? Been a while since I've seen you build a Peavey pedal.

i stopped building the F800B's (peavey super festival) a few years ago but had a request for one. it's a lot of circuit to mount in a 1590B with top jacks, a 24V charge pump and a relayed bypass but i managed to do it.

 

[Feral Feline]

So what you're saying is, you've switched to building with SMD!

Wow. I've got a couple of the Big Game boards waiting their turn for solder, and it'll be tough to get all I want in a 1590BB (I've crammed a 1590BB board in an N1 before), but 1590B is positively masochistic!

Bravo!

 

[johnk_10]

So what you're saying is, you've switched to building with SMD!

nope.

 

[AudioTaper]

I have ordered from Tayda. Haven’t had any trouble with anything from them. I usually order from Mouser, Newark and Stompbox parts. I shop around and try different places. If I Ned it quick and they have it the it’s stompbox parts. I have used other places as well , though I can’t remember, no coffee yet. I’m amazed at how many places there are online that deal in diy pedal parts.
I have had an order from Tayda get here before an order from mouser. They were both ordered same day within minutes apart. Mouser has always been good to me though. I have had orders get lost in the mail and they will promptly send out a replacement with no questions asked.

I usually go through Digikey and Mouser, but they didnt have some of the pots (especially at the price they were from Tayda)
Moiser has always been great. Years ago I ordered 2 Weller iron tips @ $4 ea. They shipped me two packs of 12. I called to make sure they weren't going to charge me the difference (and to get an return code if they were) but the guy said to just keep them (restocking costs, something something something....)

I havent heard of Stompbox parts, I'll check them out.

 

[mdalamond]

I usually go through Digikey and Mouser, but they didnt have some of the pots (especially at the price they were from Tayda)
Moiser has always been great. Years ago I ordered 2 Weller iron tips @ $4 ea. They shipped me two packs of 12. I called to make sure they weren't going to charge me the difference (and to get an return code if they were) but the guy said to just keep them (restocking costs, something something something....)

I havent heard of Stompbox parts, I'll check them out.

Ross is a great guy , shipping is fast and be sure to check out the clearance deals.

 

[RobbieK]

love the video

Thanks Matt. I appreciate your kind words.

Moving forward I'm not sure how much techy circuit detail will make the final edits unfortunately. Judging by YT analytics, that's where lots of people zone out, lol.... But I'll still put up PDFs on my site with that info. (I've just posted one for this project.)

Glad you like the Project Berocca 2-band!

 

[bitzie]

Just finished this one up yesterday and I’m pretty happy with how it turned out. I got it as a kit from musikding which definitely had it’s pluses and minuses. The plus is that it's acomplete kit, so no sourcing parts other than knobs. The main issue was that the pre-drilled enclosure had the led holes not only drilled in the wrong place (had to use wire leads), but they were also too small. Thankfully I had a step drill bit set so crisis averted. The led for the boost footswitch doesn’t work, but not a big deal.

I copper sulphate saline etched the enclosure which for my first try, I’m quite happy with it. The Sunn logo wraps around the sides and slightly onto the back. For the black I used alcohol ink then clear-coated to give it more of a worn, uneven look.

Guts-wise it’s ok. I’ve done a couple other pedal kits and several mechanical keyboards, so I’m fairly ok with soldering, but with components so close together on this one, it was definitely a bit challenging. I did screw up and installed the leds backwards, but thankfully I noticed that before soldering all the pots in place. This is why the led on the board is a clear pink led instead of the standard solid red.

So far I’m really liking the pedal. It has quite a range of possible tones and of course when it gets really dirty and grindy, it’s amazing.

 

[Fuzzonaut]

Y'all have been busy, so many cool builds!

Imagine a Dope priest or a Bluebeard on steroids. This is a monster muff.

Dope Priest and Bluebeard are my favorite Muff variants that I own. I stilll have a Muff Project Board PCB laid out to match the Kit Rae diagram that I need to get to.
Plan is to socket components and then add cap, diode and maybe even transistor switches.

Depth Charge on stripboard into 1590BB.

Again, . I really want to try a Depth Charge. There doesn't seem to be a PCB out there. Stripboard still makes me bit dizzy, so far I have only made a LPB1 on strip board to make something else louder. This one would be too much for now, I think. But I have started my second stripboard build, hoping that will go well.

got some tiny turret boards along with a bunch of npn germanium transistors so i made a few "mojo" fuzz/boost pedals

Very nice!

I copper sulphate saline etched the enclosure which for my first try, I’m quite happy with it. The Sunn logo wraps around the sides and slightly onto the back. For the black I used alcohol ink then clear-coated to give it more of a worn, uneven look.

Looks great! Although I can't handle 2 foot switches on a 125B - but that's just clumsy me.

***
I also boxed up a few, from left to right:
Armageddon (on a Moonn PCB), pretty cool sounds here. A bit unruly, but hey, it's DBA! 7 transistors. I had to improvise to get the bi color led for the filter working.
Evil Fuzz (Moonn PCB). Another cool one-knobber. Screams at you. The wave switch is nice to change flavor.
Nezumi Drive, PCB from Effects Layout. Basically a rat, starting point was the 1981 DRV, has a 3-way clipping switch and a 2-way to change bass response. Very versatile.
Destructor (Moonn PCB): can do just fuzz, but is also a crazy oscillating chaos machine. Based on the Great Destroyer.

And the (obligatory) gut shots.

 

[Roxbororob]

Hello TB pedal builders.
Ive been watching all your builds from the onset and am really impressed with your work. Over the years I have evolved from a no pedal guy to an almost full blown pedal junkie. Im rebuilding with a two level board and to save space Im going all top jacks.

So for my first foray into pedal building I decide to modify two inexpensive pedals to top jack configuration.

My humble contributions:

Joyo american sound

The next one Danelectro Chorus was more challenging. Ivolved adding true bypass, discovering and bypassing the flipflop chip and cutting down the SMD boards.

Next up is something much more ambitious, a Viva Analogue 360. Wish me luck!

 

[mdalamond]

Does anyone know where to find 5v relay bypass pcbs. Something that doesn’t require a programmable chip. I have a bunch of 5v relays collecting dust. TQ25v and A5W-K