need your (plural) help!

thetorontoraptor · March 31, 2016, 04:03:54 PM

Hey, guys! I'm new to this board. I don't play guitar, and I've never made a pedal before, but I'm here to learn how to build one. My brother plays guitar, and really enjoys different effects, so I'd like to make him a custom pedal for his birthday. I have a very basic knowledge of circuitry, a soldering iron, solder, a solder wick, and the motivation to make him an awesome pedal. He has a ProCo Rat clone, an Electro-Harmonix Stereo Memory Man, and a Secret Seasons Snowdrift. I'd like to make him something that does something different than those effects, so if you guys have some ideas, I'd love to hear them. Preferably something that is reasonably easy to build, but is also really cool. Not sure if those two qualities usually overlap or not. Anyways, I'm looking forward to getting some ideas and advice from you guys.

Thanks!

dbp512 · March 31, 2016, 04:45:27 PM

Hi, welcome to the forum! That sounds like a great gift to your brother, and I'm sure he'll love it. There are a number of kits available that include everything you'd need, which is *significantly* easier than trying to figure it out on your own. To be honest I don't use kits too often, but I did recently build one from maker.ie, and I think its fantastic for new builders. They have 5 effects at the moment, and each one has its own detailed build guide to help you along. They are great at responding to emails, and post here as well. There are many other kits as well, but I don't have any experience with them so I can't comment. Build Your Own Clone and Mammoth Electronics have good selections.

induction · March 31, 2016, 04:49:50 PM

What kind of music does your brother play? Who are some of his favorite guitarists?

thetorontoraptor · March 31, 2016, 04:54:05 PM

Quote from: induction on March 31, 2016, 04:49:50 PM
What kind of music does your brother play? Who are some of his favorite guitarists?

Hm. He really likes the Mountain Goats, but he plays them on his acoustic guitar. I'd say he mostly plays Metz and Slint. His favorite guitarist is Steve Albini.

thetorontoraptor · March 31, 2016, 04:56:37 PM

Quote from: dbp512 on March 31, 2016, 04:45:27 PM
Hi, welcome to the forum! That sounds like a great gift to your brother, and I'm sure he'll love it. There are a number of kits available that include everything you'd need, which is *significantly* easier than trying to figure it out on your own. To be honest I don't use kits too often, but I did recently build one from maker.ie, and I think its fantastic for new builders. They have 5 effects at the moment, and each one has its own detailed build guide to help you along. They are great at responding to emails, and post here as well. There are many other kits as well, but I don't have any experience with them so I can't comment. Build Your Own Clone and Mammoth Electronics have good selections.

Yeah, I know about kits and all that. That seems like cheating to me. I'd much rather take my time, make mistakes, and actually learn how to build a pedal. That's just how I roll. For my brother's last birthday, I screenprinted him a bunch of custom t-shirts by hand.

induction · March 31, 2016, 05:24:02 PM

Quote from: thetorontoraptor on March 31, 2016, 04:54:05 PM
His favorite guitarist is Steve Albini.

Harmonic percolator.

Mustachio · March 31, 2016, 05:28:58 PM

Hey fellas , long time

Was just about to post the same as induction- Harmonic perc

http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=99596.0

there are a bunch of cool Albini circuits

Welcome to the forum this place is great!

thetorontoraptor · March 31, 2016, 06:59:16 PM

Quote from: Mustachio on March 31, 2016, 05:28:58 PM
Hey fellas , long time

Was just about to post the same as induction- Harmonic perc

http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=99596.0

there are a bunch of cool Albini circuits

Welcome to the forum this place is great!

Quote from: induction on March 31, 2016, 05:24:02 PM
Quote from: thetorontoraptor on March 31, 2016, 04:54:05 PM
His favorite guitarist is Steve Albini.

Harmonic percolator.

You guys are awesome, thanks!

PRR · April 01, 2016, 12:01:10 AM

As a present to yourself-- yes, work out all the bits yourself.

As a present to someone else-- do a kit. Your first DIY electronics may go easy, or may frustrate you long past bro's birthday. Do you want to gift him a hastily-bought tie and an apology? Or a nice custom box with known-good circuit and parts inside?

thetorontoraptor · April 01, 2016, 12:04:41 AM

Quote from: PRR on April 01, 2016, 12:01:10 AM
As a present to yourself-- yes, work out all the bits yourself.

As a present to someone else-- do a kit. Your first DIY electronics may go easy, or may frustrate you long past bro's birthday. Do you want to gift him a hastily-bought tie and an apology? Or a nice custom box with known-good circuit and parts inside?

That's a good point. I have 5 months until his birthday, so hopefully I would be able to figure out a custom in time, but I may end up doing a kit. Thanks for the advice.

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need your (plural) help!