Where to buy input/output jacks

[kevilay]

Hey guys im looking to buy some input/output jacks? Where is my best bet to get them. Ive been looking on futurlec, they seem to have all the parts I need so far but cant seem to find those jacks. Another quick question. What type of capacitors and resistors are best to use?  I notice most caps in pedals are all those orange ones. Is there any other sources you recommend?

Thanks
Kevin

[CynicalMan]

Small Bear:
http://www.smallbearelec.com/StoreFront.bok
PPP:
http://www.pedalpartsplus.com/
Tayda:
http://www.taydaelectronics.com/

Futurlec has had bad reviews here in the past for holding back orders for weeks and for storing credit card data. Small Bear and PPP are good and reliable, with good shipping rates if you're in the US. Tayda has better shipping rates worldwide, but parts often aren't as high quality as from SB or PPP. They all have input and output jacks that should work well for you.

For resistors, most people use 1/4W carbon film or metal film. For low value capacitors, many people use ceramic capacitors but many prefer poly film capacitors, saying that ceramic caps are microphonic and non-linear. I'm okay with using ceramic because I think that these flaws are usually too tiny to be noticed in effects, but you'll see disagreement here. Whichever kind you use, make sure you buy the small ones and not the big, high voltage ones made for tube amps. For values of around 0.47uF and higher, you'll want electrolytic caps.

[LucifersTrip]

Hey guys im looking to buy some input/output jacks? Where is my best bet to get them. Ive been looking on futurlec, they seem to have all the parts I need so far but cant seem to find those jacks.

Thanks
Kevin

my main suggestion is to not skimp on the quality of the jacks. other than the switch(es) it is the other thing that will be constantly used...plug, unplug, etc...

most go for the neutrik or switchcraft quality ($1.25-$2.50). many of the asian ones (I bought from futurlec years ago) are cheaper and lower quality. I have found a very good indicator of quality is how good the flanging is.

notice the perfect flange on a switchcraft


here's a cheap one:


the better ones are heavier and many times uses fiberglass or phenolic instead of cheap plastic.

I believe this is a good deal on switchcraft mono:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/350485401384?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

[garcho]

Remember to consider buying both stereo and mono jacks so you can disable the battery when nothing is plugged in. If that sounds confusing or unfamiliar, start looking at some general pedal building info from:

DIYstompboxes 'beginner project' threads
Small Bear
Beavis Audio
GEO
Mad Bean
General Guitar Gadgets
Fuzz Central
etc.

I buy from Small Bear whenever I can. Do a search on this forum for 'small bear' and you'll see why. These are the jacks I use:
stereo
mono
Don't worry about solder vs. PC mount if you're not using a PCB. If you are, and there are rivets in the board for mounting the jacks, make sure and get the PC mount version.

[kevilay]

thanks for the great info! do these places have all the chips I need, Im building a few pedals. Does it have most of the standard pedal chips, Delay, Chorus, Reverb? Thanks for the tips on jacks, I always plan to buy good quality Ive seen the result in crappy guitars.

[CynicalMan]

Tayda, Small Bear, and PPP all have PT2399s. In addition, Small Bear has a variety of BBDs. They all have op amps, 555s, and other common chips, but Small Bear's selection is the best for pedals.

[LucifersTrip]

thanks for the great info! do these places have all the chips I need, Im building a few pedals. Does it have most of the standard pedal chips, Delay, Chorus, Reverb?

if you're a beginner and just need common ics/opamps, transistors, resistors & caps, then tayda will get you the stuff easily at the lowest price.

if you need more specific chips, higher quality jacks, transformers, inductors, etc, then small bear among others..

always a good idea to check eBay first (if you find a better deal on switchcraft than the link I sent above, please let me know)

good luck

[runmikeyrun]

Please support Aron's store (here) and Small Bear...

[garcho]

I would suggest two different routes:

1: find a type of pedal you're interested in, and buy variations of those components, from this forum's store or Small Bear, for instance. If you want to build a NPN silicon fuzz, buy some 3904s, 4401s, 2222s, 5088s, etc., You'll want multiples of close values for resistors and capacitors (22kOhm, 47kOhm, 68kOhm, etc.) Get some germanium diodes and some 1N914s. Find a basic circuit and swap and tweak until you like what you hear. Here's a great diagram in the gallery for inspiration, thanks to Travis Brown.

2: buy some of the excellent kits available from a number of websites. Check out General Guitar Gadgets for a good place to start. You can find a kit for just about any type of pedal you'll want (phaser, delay, fuzz, wah, etc.). After seeing what components come with those kits you'll be more confident about what to look for.

[kevilay]

Can you buy single resistors from SBE. Id like to buy a pack of say 10 of this value, 10 of this value. etc

[garcho]

Yep, right here. If you're confused about which type to get, get the 1% metal film. Unless you're buying millions, they're only marginally more expensive (like, 20¢ vs. 15¢). Of course, if you buy a bag of 200, they're less than 2¢ each.

[kevilay]

Whats a good size wire for pedals? Should I use braided for in/out?

[kevilay]

I got pretty much all my stuff picked out. Just not sure what caps I use? I want to use best possible ones. Or at least really good quality.

[Jorge_S]

I got pretty much all my stuff picked out. Just not sure what caps I use? I want to use best possible ones. Or at least really good quality.

Poly film's should work fine, try to get 5% ones if not 10%'s are usable. Boxed ones (like wima) supposedly are better, but there are mixed opinions. For small values you can use ceramic (some say they are microphonic) or polystyrene ones. For bigger values (normally above 1uf) you can use electrolytics.