i think i will be going for a byoc pedal but now i've gotta choose which one.
i like the look of the mouse distortion which has got a rotary pot for 6 different drive sounds. the other one i like is the overdrive 2 which is an overdrive/boost. anyone had any experience with these.
The OD2 is a tube screamer with more mods than you can shake a stick at. It's pretty good, but possibly a little over complicated (surprisingly) for what you need. I'd get a BYOC under your belt then start looking at doing your own (Mouse looks fun).
There are a few simple principles you just need to get down that apply to most pedals (
wiring up a 3PDT stomp LED and power) that when you've got that sorted, dropping effects into a box becomes relatively easy. So do that, then do a SHO on vero (brilliant little boost, bugger all parts). This is our version of it that uses an obtainable in the UK pot and is less likely to blow the transistor every few months. Still worth socketting the transistor for paranoias sake:
Some tips:
- Keep your tip clean ;) works on so many levels
- Get a solder sucker, very useful things
- Get a good set of small pliers and side cutters
- Helping hands help (little stand with croc clips on it)
- Take your time, fit the smallest components first and work up in size, this will make sense why when you do the BYOC
- Get a cone-cutter and a pillar drill press, you would not believe the amount of time this will save
- Read my
decalling guide (though we do this differently now... I'll have to change that), but it'll give you an idea of what you can do with sticky decals and car rattle cans. There are other methods of finishing. You can paint, etch or just write on it, all depends on what you're going for.
- Get a good desk lamp
- Get a vero track cutting tool (looks like a drillbit with a handle)
As you progress, for testing/diagnosis:
Get a multi-meter
Make an audio probe
Make a little test box with spring clips on it to test a circuit before you box it (yeah, I STILL need to do this! it would save so much effort)
