For those who build their own pedals...

[ROTHNROLL]

My 15 year old son and I are planning a project.
He bought a pedaltrain with his own money and we are going to embark on filling it with pedals that we made ourself.
I am looking for recommendations for our first build.

He plays though one of the new blackheart amps with a SG.
He currently doesn't have any effects.. an empty board.
He plays shred type stuff and Classic Overdriven rock.

I am looking for something (maybe a overdrive, distortion, fuzz) that has boutique quality tone.
I would hate to assemble something that sounds like poo.

Also.. would you recommend buildyourownclone.com or http://olcircuits.com/ for a first time builder?

 

[maaxFlux]

Try generalguitargadgets.com ITS8 with the Mods Kit and do the Very Expensive Boutique Mod. Sounds like a $400 pedal. No lie.

It rocks.

 

[RickB]

Agreed on the General Guitar Gadgets recommendation.

Also consider that with your first order from BYOC, you qualify for the Confidence Booster pedal which you get for free with the first order. It could be a good way to practice on a build that is less intensive before embarking on the more time and labor intensive builds.

 

[Aj_rocker]

how i did it, was build something very very simple like a "A or B" box to start with, just to get the idea.

secondly build a booster (with a circuit board count less than 10) so if you mess up its not gonna cost more about $3 in parts.

thirdly build something like a Ts-808 clone or another bigger project.

For me you get better as the projects get bigger, also if you start with a low part count theres less that can go wrong / less time to spend fixing or debugging.

thats the advice given to me by all DIYers

AJ

 

[ROTHNROLL]

how i did it, was build something very very simple like a "A or B" box to start with, just to get the idea.

secondly build a booster (with a circuit board count less than 10) so if you mess up its not gonna cost more about $3 in parts.

thirdly build something like a Ts-808 clone or another bigger project.

For me you get better as the projects get bigger, also if you start with a low part count theres less that can go wrong / less time to spend fixing or debugging.

thats the advice given to me by all DIYers

AJ

Where do you recommend getting a kit for a "a" or "B" box?

 

[Aj_rocker]

http://www.fulltone.com/PDfFiles/AB_switcher.pdf

parts can be brought from Small bear elec (very helpfully service), or pedal part plus.

its a very very simple build.

give me a update u think.


AJ

 

[Andy J.]

Even better instructions than Fulltone's can be found on Dano's page:
http://www.beavisaudio.com/techpages/PedalHacker/index.htm

 

[j_m_s]

Yes yes.

www.singlecoil.com isnt too bad either..

Supplies can be gotten from small bear as mentioned early on.

BYOC is very reputable. Great stuff IMO.

 

[Uma Floresta]

My 15 year old son and I are planning a project.
He bought a pedaltrain with his own money and we are going to embark on filling it with pedals that we made ourself.
I am looking for recommendations for our first build.

He plays though one of the new blackheart amps with a SG.
He currently doesn't have any effects.. an empty board.
He plays shred type stuff and Classic Overdriven rock.

I am looking for something (maybe a overdrive, distortion, fuzz) that has boutique quality tone.
I would hate to assemble something that sounds like poo.

Also.. would you recommend buildyourownclone.com or http://olcircuits.com/ for a first time builder?

My first kit was from olcircuits - my first three actually. Highly recommended, especially if you want something more than just a Tubescreamer or a Rat or something commercial like that.

 

[JCM 800]

www.generalguitargadgets.com is great. JD Sleep is a great guy to do business with. He's been upgrading many of the circuit boards as well. His prices are very fair.

 

[sixstring531]

I built my own true bypass a/b box off of the fulltone site just so I could get my tuner out of the chain. I used an exisiting dod ab box but you can buy predrilled at Radioshack.

My first pedal build was the BYOC Delay - fun build, lots of parts. They do a great job of showing you how to do it. Just keep the solders NEAT AND SMALL. Make sure not to let it all mush together.

I keep thinking of the GGG BluesBreaker Clone (clips sound awesome) Maybe I'll do it someday.

In all, I enjoyed the build and I bet it would be a great experience for a father and son to have a whole pedalboard full of ________________ (insert your last name) pedals.

 

[iamspartacus]

+1 on GGG. Fair prices and lots of good info there.

 

[pi22seven]

Let it be known that I absolutely hate Keith over at BYOC and if I ever see him in person I'm gonna kick his ass for getting me addicted to DIY.

IMHO, for a first time builder you can't go wrong with BYOC. Top of the line PCBs, good parts and the best instructions for first timers. And with that whole free boost with your first purchase you really can't find a better deal.

 

[AfterDarkMusic]

I just wanted to say that it sound like a very cool project.


Check out BYOC for kits too.

 

[auratnik]

Go for Trotsky, very simple build and it smokes!
http://www.beavisaudio.com

 

[jdier]

Let it be known that I absolutely hate Keith over at BYOC and if I ever see him in person I'm gonna kick his ass for getting me addicted to DIY.

IMHO, for a first time builder you can't go wrong with BYOC. Top of the line PCBs, good parts and the best instructions for first timers. And with that whole free boost with your first purchase you really can't find a better deal.

Yeah, that Confidence Booster that he throws in with all first time orders is a great way to get started and to... well, you know.