Beginner project

[tweakapalooza]

Hi, new member here, I've been interested in building guitar pedals for awhile now, just wondering what your collective opinion on this kit would be.


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140587352161&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

I really want to build a fuzz face, and the seller sent me a list on other parts I'll need.

If you guys know of a better beginners project I'd like to know

Thanks,

tweakapalooza

[iccaros]

Welcome to the site,
there is a beginner project on the site http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?board=6.0 that is also a good place to start, but the fuzz Face is simple. I would suggest that you buy a bread board and some componits and a beginners electronics books if you have little or no electronics skills, as soldering some parts ot a board will not teach electronics..

Well when things go wrong you can learn a lot fast

sites like these --> http://science-ebooks.com/electronics/basic_electronics.htm are good starters

or search for the Navy NEETS modules (this is the training the US Navy gets, along with some US Army schools) http://ieeebooks.blogspot.com/2009/06/neets-navy-electricity-and-electronics.html

you don't have to learn everything at once, but the basics are important for following the troubleshooting guide.

[chi_boy]

Most guys will suggest starting with a kit just to get your feet wet.  The short kit you linked to would require sourcing parts from a couple of other places.

I've heard it said that the DOD 250 is a good place to start.  General Guitar Gadgets and Build Your Own Clone both have complete kits for that project.

http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/component/virtuemart/?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage-ask.tpl&product_id=151&category_id=7
http://www.buildyourownclone.com/250.html

[LucifersTrip]

Hi, new member here, I've been interested in building guitar pedals for awhile now, just wondering what your collective opinion on this kit would be.

I really want to build a fuzz face, and the seller sent me a list on other parts I'll need.

If you guys know of a better beginners project I'd like to know

tweakapalooza

First, as said above, a breadboard is the best start...
http://cgi.ebay.com/1X-700-Points-Solderless-PCB-bread-board-Breadboard-A29-/180649016062?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a0f853afe

If you'd like to start with a Fuzz Face, I would buy a reasonably priced board like this:
http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/component/virtuemart/?page=shop.product_details&product_id=56&flypage=shop.flypage&pop=0

schematic:
http://fuzzcentral.ssguitar.com/fuzzface/fuzzfacenpnschematic.gif

...and buy the rest of the parts for pennies.
http://www.taydaelectronics.com/servlet/the-560/0.01uF-50V-Ceramic-Disc/Detail
http://www.taydaelectronics.com/servlet/the-1809/2.2uF-35V-105C-Radial/Detail
http://www.taydaelectronics.com/servlet/the-1909/22uF-50V-105C-Radial/Detail
http://www.taydaelectronics.com/servlet/the-314/1-fdsh-4W-0.25W-100K-5-pct-/Detail
http://www.taydaelectronics.com/servlet/the-308/1-fdsh-4W-0.25W-33K-5-pct-/Detail
http://www.taydaelectronics.com/servlet/the-935/Resistor-330-OHM-OHMS/Detail
http://www.taydaelectronics.com/servlet/the-1703/VARIABLE-RESISTOR-10K-OHM%2C/Detail
http://www.taydaelectronics.com/servlet/the-1711/VARIABLE-RESISTOR-10K-OHM%2C/Detail
I left out the 8.2K because you will sub a pot like this to trim it to the right sound:
http://www.taydaelectronics.com/servlet/the-1707/VARIABLE-RESISTOR-10K-OHM%2C/Detail

For ease, I would suggest building a silicon transistor version first...you can use many modern transistors like these:
http://www.taydaelectronics.com/servlet/the-45/2-2N-2N3904-3904/Detail

for those prices, buy a variety of stuff and do a little experimenting.

You will also need 1/4 jacks to start your breadboard testing. DO NOT BUY cheapos from Tayda...this is what your guitar plugs into so you want those to last...something like these would be good. you'll need 1 stereo & 1 mono:
http://www.smallbearelec.com/Categories.bok?category=Plugs%2C+Jacks+and+Fittings

Once you have all the parts and the jacks, you can start screwing around on the breadboard, and when you got the sound you want, you can worry about the other parts (3PDT switch, enclosure, led, battery clip, etc...).

The kit you linked to has "mojo" parts (mainly for appearance) which you should not worry about in a first build.

good luck

[cacarver]

I just made my first build a fuzz face. Needless to say it was a learning experience. I'll be honest with you the price of that kit seems high to not come with transistors. Also the switch, enclosure and jacks will add another $20 to this endeavor. If I were doing it all over again I would buy an all inclusive kit to get started.

Other than that just make sure you nail your soldering skills before getting started. This is a great community for build tips but even they cannot help if you have a cold solder joint somewhere.

Other than that food luck and keep us posted on your results