My First Build

[96ecss]

Hi everybody.

This is my first post but I've been reading and learning here for a couple of months. I just completed my first build, the AMZ Mini Booster from General Guitar Gadgets. I built it in an electrical junction box and finished it last night. It worked the first time and sounds good. I've done a bunch of pedal mods before but this was the first build from scratch.
I want to say thanks to everybody here for the education you've provided to me. I wouldn't have been able to build even a simple project like the Mini Boost if it wasn't for what I've learned here. Building pedals is definitely an addicting hobby and I'm hooked.
I have a bunch of pedals I'm planning to build over the next few months and I can't wait to get started. I read these boards everyday and hopefully as my knowledge and experience grows, I'll be able to contribute too.

Thanks again.

Dave

[MartyMart]

Welcome Dave and congrats on your first "worker" !!
Mini Booster was a great choice.
Enjoy your hobby, just take your time and read LOTS ... all will be well

Marty.

[96ecss]

Thanks, Marty. I'm gonna try a dist and an OD next. Maybe a Thunderchief or BSIAB2 for the dist and a TS clone or a Blue Magic for the OD.

Dave

[petemoore]

  Hey Dave !!1
 Reading first, second, third, and so on, is a great way to build up building/debugging chops...the best way [I know of] !!!
 Congrats on completing the MB !
 
 

[MartyMart]

I think the BSIAB was my second build !
You will like that a LOT !!

MM.

[Pushtone]

Congratulations on your build and welcome.


Boosters are a great "first build" project.

Building several boosters gave me the learned techniques needed to tackle more complex projects.
Things like mounting the board, jack placement and drilling I have down to a few ways that work for me.

The BSIAB would be a logical next step and a good sounding pedal to have around.

Also consider getting a breadboard. There are so many circuits having a test rig to try them out on before committing to a build can reduce the number of projects that don't meet your needs. (see Slow Gear thread)

[96ecss]

I've been considering the breadboard. I'm sure I'll be getting one now that my new addiction has taken hold. 
I followed the advice of some of the posters here and made some bulk parts orders of resistors and caps etc. to build up my stock. I should have gotten the breadboard then. Is there a particular board you guys like or doesn't it matter?

Dave

[Pushtone]

Doesn't matter. They all look the same , work the same.

You might need two for large layouts. One is fine for a boost or distortion.

It's what you do with it...

http://www.diyguitarist.com/DIYStompboxes/GEPB.htm
http://www.geofex.com/FX_images/protofx6.gif
http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=42632.0
http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=36392.msg324506#msg324506

[ubersam]

Congrats and welcome... you'll soon findyourself, if you haven't already,  stocking up on caps, resistors, transistors, LEDs, etc., etc., etc....

Ditto on the breadboard... it makes auditioning and tweaking circuits much easier.

[pi22seven]

Welcome aboard! Be careful though, DIYing your own effects can become more time and money consuming that a wife and two girlfriends.

When I started I was pretty tight on funds so I read build reports. That saved me a lot of time and $$$ building stuff that wouldn't have been happy with.


Thats reminds me, when are we gonna have a top-secret DIY Stompboxes handshake?

[96ecss]

Hey guys, thanks for the info. Pushtone, cool pics. I have already stocked up on resistors, caps and diodes and I'm putting a list together today for another big stock order.

Dave