Make it Pretty! (What's your way of "dressing" up your pedal?)

[wildebelor]

I've been thinking of lots of little things that add the finishing touches to a build.
I am definitely a fan of the ol' zipties but was also contemplating painting the top part of the vero board - anyone done this / see any issue with this?

What do you guys like to do or add that just sends the pedal from ok to dayyyyyuuuummmm? 

[alanp]

Being able to accurately estimate juuuuust how much wire you need for point A to point B (meaning neither loops of spaghetti in the box, nor taut wire pulling the board in two directions at once with 10kg of force) is a big part.

[italianguy63]

I like using heatshrink on the open wired solder connections (i.e. pots, jacks, LEDs).  And, I prefer pro-finished boxes (powdercoat) -- although a lot can be said for one-off "art" pedals -- etching, hand painted, etc!  I think you will find a lot of people have different preferences.

[duck_arse]

I like to find a piece of plastic, like a video cassette sleeve, and cut it and score it and bend it to the right size, then fight it into the box, so it covers ALL the internals and forms a cavity for the battery to sit in.

there are some in the photos thread of boards dressed up like hammertone and stuff. you can print something on paper and glue it to your board before poking the components in.

go hog wild.

[edit:] +1 on heatshrink everything. now go hog wild.

[Govmnt_Lacky]

Funny....

I am one of the few people (apparently) that prefers that the pedal SOUNDS good as opposed to what it looks like!

If it looks good esthetically then that is a bonus but, first and foremost I want to know if it sounds good! I think we have gotten to a point in DIY building where the focus has shifted from "does it sound good" to "does it look good" I have seen people drool over a TS808 with a SHO in front that sounded like garbage but since the enclosure was powder coated and etched with a nice graphic..... people LOVED it.

That is the way my wife shops and it drives me nuts!! 

[italianguy63]

I think for the prices people ask-- it should sound good AND look good. 

[davent]

You need to watch out with paint, i had some that turned out to be conductive so had to be removed from the PCB before adding the components. Other then that paint away, acrylics work great, you can do component pseudo-silkscreens on the boards with toner transfer.

For neat wiring create a wiring jig from a piece of thin plywood (1/16") or boxboard, holes drilled in it to match the enclosure, mount the switches, pots and pcb to it and do your wiring on it. Solder all the wires to the PCB first leaving them long then as you wire them to the off board parts trim to length. Working outside the box gives you easy access to everything. (If your enclosure layout is symmetrical you could mount the pots etc. outside of the enclosure and wire outside the box and then when done move it inside the box.)

dave

[Dave W]

after i test a pedal and deem it "pedal board worthy" i like to dress it up in a little black c0cktail dress and high heels. tres chic!  

[italianguy63]

And red finger-nail polish is the clincher!!  Wowsers!!   

[wildebelor]

Funny....

I am one of the few people (apparently) that prefers that the pedal SOUNDS good as opposed to what it looks like!

If it looks good esthetically then that is a bonus but, first and foremost I want to know if it sounds good! I think we have gotten to a point in DIY building where the focus has shifted from "does it sound good" to "does it look good" I have seen people drool over a TS808 with a SHO in front that sounded like garbage but since the enclosure was powder coated and etched with a nice graphic..... people LOVED it.

That is the way my wife shops and it drives me nuts!! 

I think you missed the point!  I'm 100% in this for the sound, after all - it is a damn guitar pedal haha
However, if you read my original post, I was just asking about what preferences, tips, tricks people have here that gives it that little extra something.
I enjoy giving it the complete package! 

[wildebelor]

Oh and I'm about to start rusting a bunch of my enclosures!
I actually really enjoy slight inconstancies that make each one unique.
The last record I put out was all lathe cut 7", everyone being cut by hand meant that each one actually sounded different.

[davent]

I wouldn't put any stock in any tones i heard being played back from youtube or anywhere else through my laptop speakers, but the images on the screen speak volumes. Wanna hear how it really sounds you've got to sample it for yourself.

[CodeMonk]

You need to watch out with paint, i had some that turned out to be conductive so had to be removed from the PCB before adding the components. Other then that paint away, acrylics work great, you can do component pseudo-silkscreens on the boards with toner transfer.

For neat wiring create a wiring jig from a piece of thin plywood (1/16") or boxboard, holes drilled in it to match the enclosure, mount the switches, pots and pcb to it and do your wiring on it. Solder all the wires to the PCB first leaving them long then as you wire them to the off board parts trim to length. Working outside the box gives you easy access to everything. (If your enclosure layout is symmetrical you could mount the pots etc. outside of the enclosure and wire outside the box and then when done move it inside the box.)

dave

When I first started working in electronics 30 odd years ago, my first job was at Litton Data Systems in Van Nuys, Ca.
One of my jobs was to build cable harnesses.
The jig was on a 3ft x 3ft piece of plywood with pins in various locations to hold the connectors.
20 or so connectors and god knows how many feet (miles?) of wire the harness had, there was no way you could build it consistently without a jig.
And we didn't use zip ties, we used cable lacing.
Also had to use leather finger cots, cause that sh*t is hard on your fingers.


Cable lacing has a certain elegant look to it.
Its a lost art these days.

https://www.google.com/search?q=Wax+wire+harness+string&espv=210&es_sm=122&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=UvjJUrr6H6W62gXUlYFg&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ&biw=1366&bih=642#es_sm=122&espv=210&q=cable+lacing&tbm=isch&imgdii=_

[Govmnt_Lacky]

However, if you read my original post...

I did read your original post. As well as the posts after that before I posted. Painted circuit boards, hamertone paints... What does that have to do with the way your pedal "sounds" or fits YOUR tone? Is there some mystical tone improving enamel that is on the market? 

I was just asking about what preferences, tips, tricks people have here that gives it that little extra something.
I enjoy giving it the complete package! 

Im not trying to discourage you from making a quality product. I am just stating an opinion that it seems a lot of the DIY offerings lately seem to focus MORE on what it looks like vice what it sounds like.

I WILL say that a lot of the steampunk pedals that have popped up here and there were pretty sharp SOUNDING and looking 

[Dave W]

i am all for a pretty looking pedal. the bottom line (for me) is if it doesnt sound good enough to make it onto one of my pedalboards; it is just another good looking door stop.

[Arcane Analog]

I am one of the few people (apparently) that prefers that the pedal SOUNDS good as opposed to what it looks like!

There is no reason it should not be both. What is wrong with taking pride in your work? I would rather have a pedal that sounds good and looks well built inside and out rather than a pedal that sounds good but looks like a hacked together spaghetti mess put in an ugly box. If you prefer great sounding ugly spaghetti messes with misdrilled knobs and enclosures finished with magic markers I guess you do not really have a lot to strive for in your builds. I appreciate someone that aims a little higher.

I wouldn't put any stock in any tones i heard being played back from youtube or anywhere else through my laptop speakers, but the images on the screen speak volumes. Wanna hear how it really sounds you've got to sample it for yourself.

Exactly. Just because a pedal sounds good in a demo does not mean a lot. There are far too many factors at play there. When you can see the build quality you have a good indication that the builder has progressed beyond basic rudimentary soldering.

Painted circuit boards, hamertone paints... What does that have to do with the way your pedal "sounds" or fits YOUR tone? Is there some mystical tone improving enamel that is on the market?  

The attention to detail put into a pedal tells you alot about the builder. I for one take pride in each and every build and I can appreciate why someone would want to do their best work even if it is DIY. Again, when did pride in your work become a bad thing? A builder that has taken the time to learn how to build with a high degree of attention to detail inspires much more than a unfinished enclosure containing a spaghetti mess.

Lets be honest here. Most people are building from kits or layouts prepared by others. Almost anyone can hack together a pedal from an existing layout. It is little more than paint by the numbers to get a pedal to sound good if the circuit is good. Of course there are pedals that need tuning but for the most part it is copy the diagram. The real trick is to build the pedal with good technique and build practices such that it is functional and durable. A good indiciation of a well built pedal is the build quality. Plain and simple. I fail to see why a clean build is anything but desireable.

[Arcane Analog]

What do you guys like to do or add that just sends the pedal from ok to dayyyyyuuuummmm? 

I like symmetry in the layout with clean well run wiring.  If I am using sheilded wiring I like to use heat shrink to insulate and tidy up the ends of the wire. Big mojo parts are fun!

[wildebelor]

What do you guys like to do or add that just sends the pedal from ok to dayyyyyuuuummmm? 

I like symmetry in the layout with clean well run wiring.  If I am using sheilded wiring I like to use heat shrink to insulate and tidy up the ends of the wire. Big mojo parts are fun!

Hit the nail on the head!

I really appreciate seeing your posts and your builds are always super clean.  The best part is it is clear you have your own style!
I try to take pride in everything I do and that usually results in some kind of learning curve; which I really love.
Interacting with people who are more experienced in different areas is something that makes this world worth residing in! 

[Govmnt_Lacky]

I am one of the few people (apparently) that prefers that the pedal SOUNDS good as opposed to what it looks like!

There is no reason it should not be both. What is wrong with taking pride in your work? I would rather have a pedal that sounds good and looks well built inside and out rather than a pedal that sounds good but looks like a hacked together spaghetti mess put in an ugly box. If you prefer great sounding ugly spaghetti messes with misdrilled knobs and enclosures finished with magic markers I guess you do not really have a lot to strive for in your builds. I appreciate someone that aims a little higher.

Painted circuit boards, hamertone paints... What does that have to do with the way your pedal "sounds" or fits YOUR tone? Is there some mystical tone improving enamel that is on the market?  

The attention to detail put into a pedal tells you alot about the builder. I for one take pride in each and every build and I can appreciate why someone would want to do their best work even if it is DIY. Again, when did pride in your work become a bad thing? A builder that has taken the time to learn how to build with a high degree of attention to detail inspires much more than a unfinished enclosure containing a spaghetti mess.

Lets be honest here. Most people are building from kits or layouts prepared by others. Almost anyone can hack together a pedal from an existing layout. It is little more than paint by the numbers to get a pedal to sound good if the circuit is good. Of course there are pedals that need tuning but for the most part it is copy the diagram. The real trick is to build the pedal with good technique and build practices such that it is functional and durable. A good indiciation of a well built pedal is the build quality. Plain and simple. I fail to see why a clean build is anything but desireable.

Have you even SEEN any of my builds? I can only assume that you have not or none of this would be said.

I was merely pointing out the fact (again) that it seems more people are focused on the look than the sound. I can totally appreciate when someone posts pics of a spectacular looking pedal (Deadastro, pickdropper, to name a few) but first and foremost I like to see builds that are challenging and sound good BEFORE what they look like.

Personally, I agree with Dave W. If it looks like a ferrari but sounds like a Pinto.... its a doorstop! Gotta find a good mix of both. I would prefer the AWESOME SOUNDING pedal with the misaligned pots and sharpie labeling over the powdercoated, etched, swirl-painted beauty that makes my guitar sound like garbage (I have enough problems with my playing  )

Saying that... I do think the bar has been raised esthetically in the pictures thread on this forum. I have personally gotten inspired by some of the builds. I appreciate when people strive to make their pedals look great. But, in the end.... I LISTEN to it first. 

[midwayfair]

I was merely pointing out the fact (again) that it seems more people are focused on the look than the sound.

Greg, it's because most people are just looking at pictures of the pedals. They can't tell what it sounds like from the picture. Even if they heard it, it's difficult to quantify "sounds good," because sometimes "ugly" sounds are also desirable in a way that ugly visuals aren't. We tend to have a more evolutionary-level recognition of visual attractiveness than for auditory attractiveness. For instance, symmetry and complementary colors are likely to be rated as more attractive than asymmetry and clashing colors, and we also have a positive visual reaction to "clean" (which is why things like polished aluminum looks good in a kitchen). Let's face it, humans are visual creatures, and we judge books by their cover.

And there are plenty, tons, of people who say they don't care what a pedal looks like. I inexplicably get orders for pedals where they don't want any art, don't care what the outside looks like, and one guy even asked me for a build in a blank box. I mean, my main thing is handpainted stuff, so I kind of have to ask them if there isn't someone else they'd rather buy the pedal from.

You've described an ideal where everyone listens with their ears. The world isn't like that. It just isn't. So don't fault people for wanting to put out a product with good visuals or fault the people who go "ooh pretty."