New member with some nOOb questions

[roadkill2309]

Hi folks.

I've been lurking around quite a bit lately, because I'm thinking of maybe building a couple of pedals and seeing how it goes. My goal is to build that Mutron clone that a lot of people have built, but I'll likely start off with something a lot simpler at first.

Only problem is that I've never held a soldering iron in my life. I think I have a *lot* to learn.

One think I came across on this board and that has me wanting to make one is Magnus's tube boost pedal. I've been looking all over the Interwebz to see if anyone offers that sort of case drilling service, but I'm coming up with nothing. Anyone got any ideas?

I went into the local Canadian Tire to see about soldering irons this past week, and the selection was bleedin' awful. Er, I was thinking of picking up one of those little soldering stations with the clips that hold the bits together as you work.  Is that a good go, or would I be wasting my money?

EDIT: Sorry, I accidentally posted before I finished typing.

[Schappy]

If your serious about getting into this hobby buy a Weller iron. Small bear sells a nice one. Get a pencil tip also.

If youve never soldered or put a pedal together buy a kit or start with the beginners project in the forum.

Im really still a beginner but I started with a kit from BYOC and did the beginners project and still had some problems.


Good Luck!

[Electron Tornado]

There is a wealth of information on the web to learn how to solder. Google is your friend. If you're completely new to soldering and need something to cut your teeth on, see if you have any defunct electronics around. Old clock radios or boom boxes are good for practicing soldering and desoldering, with the added advantage that you can get yourself some spare parts form them.

Where to start on projects? Start on something that is just as dead simple as possible. Try a one transistor boost, or an electra distortion. Or, buy a beginner level kit from one of the kit makers, like BYOC, General Guitar Gadgets, etc.

Read a lot, ask lots of questions, build stuff, try different mods in your pedals. HAVE FUN:icon_exclaim:

[skrunk]

One thing I'd say as a relative noob also, would be to get a breadboard early on and put together some kind of test rig like the Beavis Board
or something.
I started out with kits too and they were great, worked first time (mostly) and got me into a hobby I never really saw myself getting into.
But I would have liked to have picked up more basic knowledge sooner, rather than doing 'pedals by numbers' without really knowing what I was doing.
In my hurry to get loads of pedals built I'd just grab a vero layout and blindly follow it, which often resulted in frustration when it didn't sound as good as I'd hoped, especially fuzzes.
Only recently, I've been approaching each build more carefully, starting at the breadboard and really exploring the circuit more and it's been a much more rewarding and enjoyable experience.

[roadkill2309]

Thanks for the responses, guys.  I went over to look at those soldering irons mentioned above, and the price certainly looks right. I'm assuming that pretty much any of them would work, so I'm thinking that with my next paycheque, I'll toss some money that way.

The breadboard idea's probably a good one, I agree that gaining a basic knowledge off the bat's probably a better idea than just diving in and hoping for the best. Also, should I maybe pick up a book, or is there enough info online (and on here) to get me though the early stages of learning what everything does?

[skrunk]

lots of info here:

http://www.beavisaudio.com/techpages/buildstuff/

also check out the wiki link above.

[Plan B]

One thing I'd say as a relative noob also, would be to get a breadboard early on and put together some kind of test rig like the Beavis Board
or something.
I started out with kits too and they were great, worked first time (mostly) and got me into a hobby I never really saw myself getting into.
But I would have liked to have picked up more basic knowledge sooner, rather than doing 'pedals by numbers' without really knowing what I was doing.
In my hurry to get loads of pedals built I'd just grab a vero layout and blindly follow it, which often resulted in frustration when it didn't sound as good as I'd hoped, especially fuzzes.
Only recently, I've been approaching each build more carefully, starting at the breadboard and really exploring the circuit more and it's been a much more rewarding and enjoyable experience.

Agreed, 100%.

Also, when you start doing projects on vero/perf, buy good quality stuff, especially if you tend to solder and unsolder a lot.  There's very little more infuriating than the pads coming off the board.

Shoot for a 20w iron, + or - 5w.  The ones for auto work I'd imagine are a bit too strong for this application.  Hope that helps

[emstin1]

I feel you man, i started at 0 too.  the beginner project on here is a real good intro, though be ready to redo it a few times.  check out guitartone.net, they publish a few  books just for people like us.  and if your looking for pre-drilled enclosures pedalpartsplus.com has a selection of various sized enclosures with holes for pots, switches, jacks etc for a pretty reasonable price.

[stringsthings]

Hi folks.

I've been lurking around quite a bit lately, because I'm thinking of maybe building a couple of pedals and seeing how it goes. My goal is to build that Mutron clone that a lot of people have built, but I'll likely start off with something a lot simpler at first.

Only problem is that I've never held a soldering iron in my life. I think I have a *lot* to learn.

One think I came across on this board and that has me wanting to make one is Magnus's tube boost pedal. I've been looking all over the Interwebz to see if anyone offers that sort of case drilling service, but I'm coming up with nothing. Anyone got any ideas?

I went into the local Canadian Tire to see about soldering irons this past week, and the selection was bleedin' awful. Er, I was thinking of picking up one of those little soldering stations with the clips that hold the bits together as you work.  Is that a good go, or would I be wasting my money?

EDIT: Sorry, I accidentally posted before I finished typing.

how much income do you have to spend on DIY?

[Electron Tornado]

Couldn't remember where these were earlier, but managed to find them again. These will help you:

http://tangentsoft.net/elec/movies/

[roadkill2309]

how much income do you have to spend on DIY?

Not enough, it seems.  But so long as I keep gigging, I can still justify throwing some cash at this.

[Just1More]

Couldn't remember where these were earlier, but managed to find them again. These will help you:

http://tangentsoft.net/elec/movies/

+1. I used these to teach myself to solder.

Buy yourself a decent iron - makes a huge difference and is a lot easier. Buy a small bit of perfboard and some cheap components and wire and practice making joints before you actually start building something for real.