DIY Pedal Question

[SabbathFan0220]

I've seen a couple threads on here about DIY pedals, and I want to get into it. I was hoping to do it cheaper than the kits on BYOC if possible. Those BYOC kits cost as much as a new pedal for the most part.

My question is about the PCBs. I found this site:

http://www.pedalpartsplus.com/

And it looks like they have all the parts pretty cheap. I could use the plans found on BYOC (among other sources) and assemble them myself. Except for those PCBs...can a pedal be assembled without one? Is it more difficult (if it's even possible)? I'm pretty handy with a soldering iron. Any info for a newbie would be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[Rich_S]

Re: DIY Pedal Question

Many pedals can be assembled point-to-point or on a perfboard, or veroboard. (If you don't know what these are, check the DIY pedal sites). This is mostly simple effects, like fuzz boxes, or simple distortion pedals like the RAT. (There was a recent thread in the TDPRI "Burnt Fingers" DIY Effects room about a perfboard RAT build.

For more complex effects, General Guitar Gadgets sell their boards separate from the kits. Also, I've recently had some great dealings with MadBean Pedals - he sells PC boards for a bunch of clones.

By my rough estimatation, you can save 30-50% off the kit prices by shopping around and sourcing the parts yourself from Small Bear or Mouser. You can save more than that if you can get by without fancy enclosures - more than half the money in a DIY pedal goes into the switch, enclosure, jacks, and hardware. If you can cut corners (using electrical boxes from Home Depot for example) you can save more and still get the same sound.

 

[Mincer]

Re: DIY Pedal Question

I think BYOC will just sell the PC board. But really, the prices for their parts aren't too bad, if you compare them to the prices boutique pedals are going for. I built their new Overdrive +, as well as their 5 knob compressor, and both are more than worth the $$.

 

[MojoMonster]

Re: DIY Pedal Question

I think BYOC will just sell the PC board. But really, the prices for their parts aren't too bad, if you compare them to the prices boutique pedals are going for. I built their new Overdrive +, as well as their 5 knob compressor, and both are more than worth the $$.

+1.
When I got bit about 4 years ago, you really couldn't source the parts from one place, so factoring in various shipping costs it was actually cheaper to get a BYOC kit.
I got the original Overdrive.
Amazing bang for the buck and a blast to build.

That said, if the OP is really into sourcing it himself places like Small Bear and Mouser are useful, too.

MM

 

[DankStar]

Re: DIY Pedal Question

yeah, if you do the math on good parts (true bypass switch, nice housing, an etched board, etc. etc.) it usually comes out to about $40 - $50 at least. for something like the univox superfuzz that isn't made anymore that goes for sometimes over $200 this is a steal. and I wouldn't want to perf a superfuzz, but I'm sure it's possible. sure, if you buy resistors, LEDs, diodes, and such in bulk they are super cheap individually, but then your stuck with 800 leftovers, which is kind of a waste unless you end up doing more projects.

there's tutorials out there to make your own pcbs from layouts too, but then you're handling sorta hazardous chemicals in the etching process.

a lot of runoffgroove's and homewrecker's designs are perfboard friendly.

homewrecker's bazz fuss is a great intro to pedals cause it's so simple, yet has a drastic sound (wall of bassy synthy fuzz).

 

[Rich_S]

Re: DIY Pedal Question

Your intended use for the pedals factors into the cost. If you intend to use them to play out, then a hammond enclosure and 3PDT stomp switch are probably necessary, driving up the cost.

If you just want to experiment at home and use them for recording, then you might get away with a cheap electrical box or other "found" enclosure, and a simple DPDT toggle switch for bypass. Much cheaper.

 

[SabbathFan0220]

Re: DIY Pedal Question

Thanks for all the responses guys. General Guitar Gadgets sells just PCBs, maybe I'll give that a shot. Although a full kit from either GGG or BYOC for my first build isn't a bad idea. The GGG kits are a little cheaper than BYOC.

 

[Rich_S]

Re: DIY Pedal Question

I just visited MadBean's site, and found he'd done a major upgrade. He has boards for a lot of cool pedal clones. I fixed the link in my previous post, but here it is again.

http://www.madbeanpedals.com/index.html

I think today's the first day for the new site - his forum registration process isn't working right yet.

 

[uOpt]

Re: DIY Pedal Question

I built a big muff from these kits:
www.generalguitargadgets.com

I love it.