Author Topic: DIY effects (Read 1993 times)

Spitfire · « **on:** May 06, 2008, 08:35:50 AM »

i was just wondering about a lot of these DIY effects and amp kits... is the only point that its cheaper and you get to build it? because it seems that all the kits just tell you exactly what to put in, so you wont get a speciaically different sound to anything else... so cant be buying to get your own tone from something....??

MrBump · « **Reply #1 on:** May 06, 2008, 11:05:31 AM »

I think that they give you a better understanding of what goes into them, certainly that's what the BYOC pedal I bought did for me. Just changing the clipping section makes you feel like you're a proper boutique pedal builder!

Mark.

_tom_ · « **Reply #2 on:** May 06, 2008, 11:15:54 AM »

I think its just more fun than buying a premade pedal. Well I've not tried to build my screamer yet as it hasn't arrived, but I always like messing around with DIY stuff like this. Plus like mrbump says, if you know what goes in then you'll have a better understanding of modding and what things will affect what part of the sound.

Catalyst77 · « **Reply #3 on:** May 06, 2008, 11:19:27 AM »

A lot of the sites like BYOC and general guitar gagets also contain loads of threds on modding and experiementing.

I think the benefit - especially of BYOC is that you get an clone of crazy priced pedal; with upgrades and True Bypass for a fraction of the cost.

You also get to paint it! In some ways that kind of makes it original in its own right.

sgmypod · « **Reply #4 on:** May 06, 2008, 11:50:24 AM »

Also BYOC give you more than one pedal in a case as well....usually the original then at least one of the many mods that people have done over the years to make them better/different

WezV · « **Reply #5 on:** May 06, 2008, 12:57:16 PM »

ah come on... its just for fun aint it. I have doen a couple of BYOC kits, have some genral guitar gadget ones on the way, have done a valve amp kit and obviously quite like making guitars.

It all stems from a need to take things apart and tinker, sure beats trainspotting especially when you have a great pedal at the end of it

Catalyst77 · « **Reply #6 on:** May 06, 2008, 01:11:20 PM »

Although it sucks when youve got a great pedal you just can't get to work!

I must have taken the EH Envelope filter (GGG) apart a hundred times and the damn thing just wont work!

sgmypod · « **Reply #7 on:** May 06, 2008, 01:19:56 PM »

yeah more a guitar spotter myself and recovering ampahollic

_tom_ · « **Reply #8 on:** May 08, 2008, 04:05:40 PM »

Quote from: _tom_

I think its just more fun than buying a premade pedal. .

I take this back :lol: I tried building my screamer today, disaster. I got the PCB done ok but then I tried wiring it and I just got so frustrated because I couldnt get any good solder joints. Also some of the joins on the PCB were cr@p and some of them came loose :( I've finished it up but it doesnt work.. the led comes on but it goes on and off if the pedal is moved, obviously something loose. Same thing happens in bypass, when its moved it loses signal. I've just about given up on it for today, annoyed that I wasted £50 on it :x

edit - turns out the connections to the jacks came loose so that probably explains the intermittent signal so I guess they just need soldering back on well. now need to sort out the sound itself - its really quiet and bassy. All the controls seem to work properly though :\

TwilightOdyssey · « **Reply #9 on:** May 08, 2008, 04:29:58 PM »

Quote from: WezV

ah come on... its just for fun aint it ...
It all stems from a need to take things apart and tinker, sure beats trainspotting especially when you have a great pedal at the end of it

I think you hit the nail on the head there, and which is why I will probably always pay to have my pedals pre-made than make em myself. When faced with the choice of writing something new on guitar or putting together some kinda kit, the song writing wins every time.

I have zero desire to solder things!

Lew · « **Reply #10 on:** May 08, 2008, 04:37:55 PM »

I would have fun learnibng on these if the prices were more reasonable!

WezV · « **Reply #11 on:** May 08, 2008, 05:08:27 PM »

i dont think the prices are to bad at all - the effects are really very good.

Try sourcing your own parts and you will see it adds up - maybe not for all the small componenets but just the delivery because you wont find all the parts in one place

If you havnt done one before it may be worth trying the confidence booster kit they sell cheap

i have just got a green ringer and orange squeezer clone from general guitar gadgets. they normally have some pedals which are 10% of each month as these two were when i ordered. They cost $101 including delivery all though i did get stung with a £15 customs charge. £65 for two new pedals and i get to do the bit i really enjoy which is building them (althugh admittedly not for everyone as TO points out)

If i wanted to buy these two effects the new dan armstrong versions go for £90 each (crazy for such a simple little circuit)... i am not confident they would be better than these clone versions

Author Topic: DIY effects (Read 1993 times)

TwilightOdyssey

Lew