• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Learning to Build Effects.

N

Noosh

May 1, 2006
153
0
North Carolina
#1
So for some reason i was in rasdioshack the other day, and i thought, wow, it would be kinda cool if i could learn to build my own effects pedals...
so basically what im asking is, what are some sites out there with info on building effects, like for complete beginners, i have hardly no experience with any kind of electronics, this just seems like something fun and intersesting to do.
 
#4
OP -- were you talking about building pedals or making pedals?

+1 for GGG/BYOC. Those kits are a lot of fun.

If you don't like the idea of kits, then check out Craig Anderton's "Electronic Projects for Musicians." It does a nice job of explaining how the circuits work and it gives component lists, wiring diagrams, etc for specific projects.

However, if you want to design your own pedals from scratch you'll need to take a university level circuits class (or at the very least get a text book). You need a good math background for this -- the course I'm taking right now (in my university's physics department) uses calculus up through differential equations/linear algebra. I assume any sort of EE or ECE circuits class would have similar requirements.
 
#5
I'm wanting to get into pedal making too. My guitarist finished up his first build and I'm starting on my first one. Luckily I work at an engineering firm and my boss is an electrical engineer GENIUS. He gave me something called a Breadboard to test my circuits on before soldering. I will definately check out those sites listed above because I'm a total beginner as well. Thanks !
 
#9
depends what you're working with. if you get a kit with a printed circuit board (pcb), and you're experienced with soldering, you could finish something as complex as the cigar box amp i built in about 10 minutes.

i built the orange squeezer compressor on perfboard and it took me a few days to get through. it's a relatively simple circuit, but perfboard leads to its own difficulties with having to figure out how to run the leads on the backside.

start as simple as you possibly can.

also, when you buy a byoc kit, they include a second kit for a simple booster to practice with:

Click Here

that's the best bet, i'd think.
 
#10
markjazzbassist said:
interesting stuff. anyone made the big muff clone before? how long (guesstimate) does it take to do one of these builds?


i'm really thinking i wanna do some DIY.
Click to expand...

The first time I built one, it took about 6 hours since I was literally learning how to solder w/ my dad.

Now, if I sit down and do it all in one shot, it takes about an hour.

Seriously fun...as long as it works... ;)
 
#11
Do any of yall have any advice for stripping the small wires? I'm building a BYOC Opti Comp right now and I have the board populated and the box assembled, I just need to wire it all together. I spent 2 hours last night trying to strip 6 pieces of wire :( And the wire ended up being different lengths, so I'm going to have to do them again :( I'm gonna post this on the BYOC board too. But I have a small pair of Radio Shack wire cutters if it helps. Thanks!
 
#12
Wire cutters and a wire strippers are needed for these projects...

Invalid Link Removed
pRS1C-2160701w345.jpg
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back