Idk what the heck I'm doing =]

[BaLaClavaAa]

So I've been reading through some of the posts and websites on building pedals, and I've figured the best thing to do would be just to order the stuff I need and then figure it out from there. For my first build I wanted to build the Pro Co rat2, Schematic here http://diystompboxes.com/pedals/PCRAT1.GIF.

First off is this doable for a first build and for someone who has never done anything with building electronics in his 15 years of existence =]?

Secondly I don't really know what I need. I know I need 2) Stereo 1/4" Phone Jacks, 9V battery connector, thin, insulated, copper, and stranded hookup wire 9whatever that means =/), DPDT on/off toggle switch, Screws, Nuts, Enclosure (not sure size but will figure that out), 15 Watt soldering iron, pc board kit, 60/40 rosin core solder. But as far as the specific bits and bobs I need I'm not really sure, I think i might be able to figure it out from the schematic, but I don't really know what sort of metal it needs to be made out of and such. I would be really really greatful if someone could help me write out a list of what I need, if this is not to much to ask, as i have no clue =].

Thanks for your help,
Alex =D

[Ag_Nathus]

Hey,

Here's a link that has a schematic and a list of materials on one page:

http://www.tonepad.com/getFileInfo.asp?id=89

You can also order pre-etched boards from the same site which will help.

Order your parts at:

http://www.smallbearelec.com/home.html

They will have pretty much everything you need arranged in easy to follow categories. Hope that helps... Oh, don't forget to get stuff like knobs and an enclosure when you order...

AG

[petemoore]

So I've been reading through some of the posts and websites on building pedals, and I've figured the best thing to do would be just to order the stuff I need and then figure it out from there. For my first build I wanted to build the Pro Co rat2, Schematic here http://diystompboxes.com/pedals/PCRAT1.GIF.
 A gain stage is a great inexpensive way to get familiar with DC circuits [power supply] which amplify AC signals [source like guitar pickup], to try making 20=40: we like our boosters, Rat is more complex, but the ability to figure out the booster while doing reads on Rats and other circuit info is worth the gain stage parts/time.
 I wish I could think of a better way to flat out make a theoretical statement onlinw without adding 'diminisher words' like probably, you'll probably love having a booster.
First off is this doable for a first build and for someone who has never done anything with building electronics in his 15 years of existence =]?
 Nothing you can do that can't be done, intermediate builds have been done by first time-ers.
 Secondly I don't really know what I need. I know I need 2) Stereo 1/4" Phone Jacks, 9V battery connector, thin, insulated, copper, and stranded hookup wire 9whatever that means =/), DPDT on/off toggle switch, Screws, Nuts, Enclosure (not sure size but will figure that out), 15 Watt soldering iron, pc board kit, 60/40 rosin core solder. But as far as the specific bits and bobs I need I'm not really sure, I think i might be able to figure it out from the schematic, but I don't really know what sort of metal it needs to be made out of and such. I would be really really greatful if someone could help me write out a list of what I need, if this is not to much to ask, as i have no clue =].
 See:
Small Bear / Tweek-O article.
Jfet Stratoblaster, or LPB=bipolar Si [GGG]
ROG for other Jfets and...
Aron here sells J201's last I checked, stompswitches, etc. see home/store.
 http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=92&Itemid=26
 There's the Rat page, it has BOM {bill of materials}.
Thanks for your help,
 Extra reads on..well starting at the top left [of the DIYStompboxes page...highly recommended.

[GREEN FUZ]

If you`ve never built anything before why not make it easy on yourself and take a guided tour. Start with the beginners tutorial perhaps.
http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=712.0
A step by step guide resulting in a cool boost pedal. Not exciting? Try it.

Or how about this.
http://www.aronnelson.com/gallery/v/DRAGONFLY-LAYOUTS_0/album20/album21/
I haven`t built it but I suspect it`s brilliant.

For a first build, something that works, however simple, is far better than building something that doesn`t and having to deal with the frustrations of debugging. Plenty of time for that down the road. I`m not saying these are surefire but if you take a calm methodical approach and follow the instructions you are guaranteed a useable effect and learn a lot in the process.

[GREEN FUZ]

You know, I`ve been thinking about this. I`ve had a look at the beginner`s tutorial that I linked to and to my mind it has become a bit bloated with all the added comments. Yagotta have this (multimeter), what about that ( special glasses), I do it this way kind of stuff. 

I don`t know about you but if I were starting off I would find this stuff mind-boggling. I think for simplicity you can`t beat Dragonfly`s tutorial. Here`s the link again.
http://www.aronnelson.com/gallery/v/DRAGONFLY-LAYOUTS_0/album20/album21/

Again, if I were starting off, I couldn`t hope for a simpler guide.

Get a cheap soldering iron, double up on the components and give it a go.

[BaLaClavaAa]

You know, I`ve been thinking about this. I`ve had a look at the beginner`s tutorial that I linked to and to my mind it has become a bit bloated with all the added comments. Yagotta have this (multimeter), what about that ( special glasses), I do it this way kind of stuff. 

I don`t know about you but if I were starting off I would find this stuff mind-boggling. I think for simplicity you can`t beat Dragonfly`s tutorial. Here`s the link again.
http://www.aronnelson.com/gallery/v/DRAGONFLY-LAYOUTS_0/album20/album21/

Again, if I were starting off, I couldn`t hope for a simpler guide.

Get a cheap soldering iron, double up on the components and give it a go.

Haha thanks it does look incredibly more straight forward then alot of the other stuff I've seen, I'm going to definitely give the dragonfly a try first, I'm amazed that you found that tut because it seems pretty buried to me  =].

And thank you Ag_Nathus and petemoore for the links and lists and such, I'm going to go ahead and order for the rat at the same time as the dragon fly.

I'm amazed at how quick and helpful those replies were, i usually have to wait for about a page before I find what I need =]

Thanks, and I'll probably be back asking questions when I get all the parts haha

[BaLaClavaAa]

You know, I`ve been thinking about this. I`ve had a look at the beginner`s tutorial that I linked to and to my mind it has become a bit bloated with all the added comments. Yagotta have this (multimeter), what about that ( special glasses), I do it this way kind of stuff. 

I don`t know about you but if I were starting off I would find this stuff mind-boggling. I think for simplicity you can`t beat Dragonfly`s tutorial. Here`s the link again.
http://www.aronnelson.com/gallery/v/DRAGONFLY-LAYOUTS_0/album20/album21/

Again, if I were starting off, I couldn`t hope for a simpler guide.

Get a cheap soldering iron, double up on the components and give it a go.

Haha thanks it does look incredibly more straight forward then alot of the other stuff I've seen, I'm going to definitely give the dragonfly a try first, I'm amazed that you found that tut because it seems pretty buried to me  =].

And thank you Ag_Nathus and petemoore for the links and lists and such, I'm going to go ahead and order for the rat at the same time as the dragon fly.

I'm amazed at how quick and helpful those replies were, i usually have to wait for about a page before I find what I need =]

Thanks, and I'll probably be back asking questions when I get all the parts haha

Apparently not that buried, didn't realize it was this forums mod's sight =P