First build suggestions

[flibbergibbin]

I've looked over the beginner's project, the electra distortion, orange squeezer and thought about doing one but I was hoping maybe people would suggest some others. Any pedal suggestions for a first time builder? Preferrably some different kinds of stompboxes like a delay, fuzz, or any of the others. Thanking you in advance.

[MartyMart]

Rangemaster treble booster or a "Fuzz Face" are always useful .... for a real
nice sounding overdrive, try the "Tube Reamer" from www.runoffgroove.com
Nice "n easy too 

MM.

[Plectrum]

Havn't built one myself, but maybe:
http://diystompboxes.com/analogalchemy/pedals/easydrive.html

Looks pretty simple and would be an introduction to diode clipping.

Grant.

[vanhansen]

IMO, I think everyone starting off in this hobby should do the beginner project.  Not only is it easy, but there is the step-by-step How-To with photos to guide you through it all.  It's not just a color by numbers.  There's a few things to learn by doing it and it'll make it easier when the next project hits the table.  And read, read, read, read and read some more.  Hit AMZ, GEOFEX, the DIY FAQ, the GEO FAQ, and any other electronics resource that comes up in the search results.  Good luck.

[jmusser]

If you have at least a little bit of electronic knowledge, I would go with Plectrum's choice of the Easy Drive. It's a great sounding circuit. If you are coming into it completely green, then go with what Vanhansen suggested. At this time, it really has to do with your skill level. My first circuit was the Bobtavia, because it used all Radio Shack parts I could get hold of easy, and I had been reading schematics for over 30 years.

[Mark Hammer]

I almost always recommend a loop selector pedal as a first project because:
a) its simple
b) there is no tweaking or component selection involved
c) you can build it without batteries OR with
d) it's cheap
e) it will always be useful
f) you can't burn anything up (unless you have a REALLY big soldering iron!)
g) it will allow you to make better use of any pedals you already own or plan on buying

[flibbergibbin]

Thank you all for the suggestions. I've been reading alot and stumbled onto the Utility Boost and think it fits me for a first build. I like the idea of trying out all those transistors to taste. I will however come back to this page for the next couple or at least the next build for ideas. I was wondering at what point in the circuit would I daisy chain another onto the first utility boost? Also is it possible to use a value lower or higher than the 22mF in the schematic? I've got a couple 10mF's and a couple 47mF's would some kind of combination work or just one by itself? Thanks.

[flies]

am a beginner myself, but my high school physics tells me that if you put two 10uF capacitors in parallel then you'll have 20 uF capacitance.  or if you put two 47uF capacitors in series you'll have 23.5 capacitance.  As to whether 47 or ten would work just as well as 22 i cannot say.

[flibbergibbin]

It's alive. It's alive. One down and hopefully lots more to go. Utility Boost sounds damn good in my opinion but like cooking when you diy it always tastes better.

[Toney]

So satisfying getting that first build to fly... congratulations.

Second thumbs up for the Tubereamer.... you'll love it.

[burnt fingers]

I did a vox treble booster as my first build.  Second was Jack Ormons Muffer.  Third was a tube reamer.  Then all three got tweaked modded and suoped up.  You're on your way brother.  The smell of burning fingertips will be forever etched in your ofactory senses.

Scott

[flibbergibbin]

Thanks for the encouraging words guys. I'm thinking of adding onto the 2 in 1 combo utility boost. I was thinking about adding Tim Escobedo's Power Amp. I saw the tiny amp topic and looked around and thought I could add that on the end. Well now the options are wide open. I've learned so much here so thanks to all.