* Newbie Alert * Any help please...

[soothsayer]

Hi everyone,

I've been reading articles/forums about building your own effects pedals now for a while and I have a few questions before I start buying loads of parts and tools etc. I've got a bit lost in all the information I've read over the months.

Ultimately, I would like to build a:
1. Phase 90 (and/or 100)
2. Small Stone
3. Ross Compressor
4. Fuzz Face
5. Octave Fuzz
6. Loop switcher and an external controller with amp channel switching functions (like a non-midi Bradshaw)
7. Rack mounted Dual Tremolo like Trey Anastasio's
    http://www.strangedesign.org/rigs/details.asp?artistID=3&equipmentID=10
    http://www.strangedesign.org/rigs/details.asp?artistID=3&equipmentID=20
    http://www.strangedesign.org/rigs/details.asp?artistID=3&equipmentID=21
8. Rack mounted Univibe like Trey Anastasio's
    http://www.strangedesign.org/rigs/details.asp?artistID=3&equipmentID=9

Would tools would I definitely need, and what could I do with having?

Out of all of them I know that the dual Tremolo will be the hardest to build (there isn't a schematic for it), but what order would you build them in, and how long do you think it would take to build each one - I will be using perfboard not etched?

Any suggestions for the Tremolo, univbe or loop switcher? Would I need to make buffers for any of these effects too? Also, how can you make a bypass loop that will let a delay effect naturally trail off?

I'd also like to build some delay effects an possibly an amp (Fender Deluxe Reverb or Bassman - I've got the schematics for the FDR) at some point, as my favourite guitars at the minute are David Gilmour, Trey Anastasio, Nick McCabe (The Verve) and Omar Rodriguez (Mars Volta), are they any harder to make then the initial pedals I want to do?


Any help will be much appreciated, thanks in advance.

Soothsayer

[gutsofgold]

Would tools would I definitely need, and what could I do with having?

If you're asking a fundamental question like this then I think you should stick to one or two simple pedals for the time being. One step at a time...

[12milluz]

http://www.diystompboxes.com/wiki/index.php?title=Main_Page

Take a look at the getting started part there. A lot of info!

[GREEN FUZ]

Hi
Out of those pedals you listed I would say the Fuzzface is a relatively simple build and possibly the Loop switcher though I have never built one. You haven`t mentioned what sort of experience you have with Soldering but I guess the *Newbie Alert* might be a bit of a clue. There will be a bit of a learning curve so take it slowly at first with a nice simple build. Consider the Beginners`s project possibly.

To try and answer your question, the very least you will need, besides, obviously, all the components is a soldering iron and solder. After that there are tons of gadgets/devices for making the build process easier. Wire strippers, desoldering pump, third hand etc etc etc

Some people would no doubt recommend a Multimeter for debugging.

Good luck.

The Dual Tremolo does look interesting.

[mdh]

You will definitely need a multimeter, not just for debugging, but for measuring transistor gains for the Fuzz Face (see the article on geofex), though you could get away with buying a set of transistors from Smallbear Electronics, which comes with recommended resistor values.  But you'll still need a meter for matching JFETs for the Phase 90.

I second (or third, I've lost track) the recommendation that you start with something simple that's not necessarily on your list of desired effects, such as the beginner project here (a booster) or some of the simpler projects on Tonepad or Runoffgroove.  I haven't looked specifically at the more complex projects on your list, but some of the simpler ones could cause a beginner fits, especially if you're perfing everything.  Incidentally, one thing to consider with modulation effects such as phasers and trems is that layout can be very important in preventing noise from the LFO getting into the audio path.  Using a tried and true layout can help with that.

And if you don't have them, get a pair of small needle nose pliers with smooth jaws and a small wire cutter at the very least.  The cheap sets of small pliers available at places like Home Depot and Harbor Freight are fine for this kind of stuff.

[Zben3129]

I reccomend you start with either the beginner project here,

or

A kit from www.generalguitargadgets.com

If you get the kit, you will know you have every correct part, you will have a nice pcb to workwith, a predrilled enclosure, and I believe a guide.

You still need a soldering iron, solder, wire......

Others help me with the list of tools?

Zach

[Zben3129]

http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=130&category_id=7&manufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=45


Like it says, if you want to do germanium, then grab a pair at small bear.

http://www.smallbearelec.com/Categories.bok?category=Germanium+Transistors

Get a pair for "the fuzz face"

I don't have any problems with a silicon fuzz, however, so maybe you just want to go that route to start

Zach

[smallbearelec]

Hi--

Welcome to the madness and obsession of DIY FX...

For reasons that have been discussed here, I don't recommend germanium pedals of any sort as first builds, though they are much less chancy if you buy a ready-to-solder PC board from GGG or Tonepad. BYOC's kits are also a way to go.

Tools and materials:

http://www.smallbearelec.com/Projects/TweakO/TweakO.htm

That article is still a useful reference for beginners, as it includes a list of what is typically required and notes on how to tool a case. Someone else here can surely point you to more detailed references on painting and decoration, and your choices for doing those jobs may alter your shopping list some.

The most important, and most expensive, choice you will make is your soldering iron. I have long carried and recommended Weller (Cooper Tool) as a reasonable compromise between price and quality. Others here will also have suggestions. I would just avoid very inexpensive irons (like those at Radio Shack,) because the tips corrode too quickly.

Happy construction!, and have a fine, noisy experience.

Regards
SD