Hi all
Anyone (apart from Tavo) had a go at making their own pedals? I'd like to have a go but have zero electronics experience (I can just about change a plug but that's the limit of my expertise [i don't even have a soldering iron!]). Anyone have any experience or can suggest a good starting point? I did see these after a it of searching on the net...
http://www.musikding.de/index.php/cat/c248_Modulation--Dynamics.html
Anyone try them and any views on whether they might be a good start?
Cheers
Shakey

I've had a go at a couple. This one is my favourite of them.

http://damacleod.wordpress.com/2011/03/14/a-diy-valve-overdrive-pedal-goldie/

http://damacleod.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/valvecaster.jpg

As you can see, not exactly "road-worthy" but I love the sound.

If you're just starting out then a kit is a good starting point. I don't know about the link you provided (although they look interesting). I've heard nothing but good things about modkitsdiy (http://www.modkitsdiy.com/), GeneralGuitarGadgets (http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/) and BYOC (http://www.buildyourownclone.com/).

I have made a byoc fet preamp and I love it-gives me a great Edge sound when I want it. I don't know if BYOC ships overseas or not. The instructions they supply can be downloaded for free right on their website so you can look at them to see how difficult it is before you ever purchase. I've also modded several pedals but I'm nowhere near knowledgeable enough to design a pedal. As far as soldering irons go, you need one with adjustable heat and a small tip. Weller makes some good ones.

Just know that you're about to start an addiction ;)

I started building a few years ago with General Guitar Gadgets and have since moved on to clones and then to a few of my own models.

I suggest BYOC or GGG as a good starting place because kits will help you get a handle on the whole thing easier.

Damacleod....what is that? Full plate voltage?

Damacleod....what is that? Full plate voltage?

I run it at anything from 9 to 18v. Currently using an old laptop power supply to give it 13.8v and it works a treat. If you google for "Valvecaster" you find loads of links to schematics and examples.

I made a compressor, chorus, and distortion.

only the compresso is finish and working great, I will finish the other two soon, is really fun.

I use mad bean pedals.

http://www.madbeanpedals.com/projects/index.html

I've had a go at a couple. This one is my favourite of them.

http://damacleod.wordpress.com/2011/03/14/a-diy-valve-overdrive-pedal-goldie/

http://damacleod.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/valvecaster.jpg

As you can see, not exactly "road-worthy" but I love the sound.

If you're just starting out then a kit is a good starting point. I don't know about the link you provided (although they look interesting). I've heard nothing but good things about modkitsdiy (http://www.modkitsdiy.com/), GeneralGuitarGadgets (http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/) and BYOC (http://www.buildyourownclone.com/).

Nice looking pedal, old school! I'd be worried about stamping on the valve, but then I can be a bit clumsy...

A few Germanium fuzz boxes, nothing complicated.

I've made an 80's rat, a ts808, a ce-2, a clean boost and a fuzz face. I want to make a delay, just haven't gotten around to ordering the few parts I need and don't have. I'd suggest starting with a kit. GGG is very good...

Here's my board. I built them all except the tuner.




19673

I build a treblebooster and a fatpants(echoplex-preamp) but never finished them. Too many pedals, so little time.

I have modded a few and have collected all the parts to build a Roland Bee Baa clone but haven't mustered the courage to start! Be sure you get a good adjustable soldering iron with a fine tip! You could also pick up some busted printed circuit boards out of old amps, pedals or appliances and practice a little before starting your first project.

I've built way too many pedals (not really - you can't have too many pedals) over the past few years. It is a very addicting hobby.

I started with BYOC, the GGG, now I pretty much stick with Madbean. I agree that having a full kit is a great place to start. Madbean just sells circuit boards, but he makes many clones and even has some great original designs.

For parts I recommend PedalPartsPlus.com and Small Bear Electronics - they have almost everything you could need. Mammoth Electronics is great too. Also Effects Connection.

There is also a pretty good web forum for DIY pedal builders: http://www.freestompboxes.org/index.php
But they aren't always as friendly as the great folks here ;)

love that valvecaster!

Here's my take on that:
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5036/5890611889_5b54bbbf1e_z.jpg

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5264/5890611493_4b649bd785_z.jpg

The Weller WLC100 is an inexpensive ($40 on Amazon) soldering iron with good features - adjustable heat, sponge, holder. Got one myself.

They make replacement tips for this iron and I like the pointy-conical tip (ST7) but I think one could get used to any of them...

The Weller WLC100 is an inexpensive ($40 on Amazon) soldering iron with good features - adjustable heat, sponge, holder. Got one myself.

They make replacement tips for this iron and I like the pointy-conical tip (ST7) but I think one could get used to any of them...

Thanks Arky.

love that valvecaster!

Here's my take on that:
Nice work and a damn sight more robust than mine. I've currently got mine dismantled and it'll be getting reworked and rehoused. I want to add a second valve socket and make it switchable between a 12AU7 and 12AT7.

Nice job on the valvecaster. Does it run on 9 volts?

Thanks Arky.

Oy, just saw you're UK, eh? Might not be so reasonable over there... it's a good one if you can find it local...

Nice job on the valvecaster. Does it run on 9 volts?

yep anything between 9v and 18v. I like it best at 9 or 12v.