Thinking of getting into DIY pedals

nebucanazza

nebucanazza

New member
I have been toying with the idea of making a few pedals of my own. Did a lot of reading at the recommended sites and feel I am ready to take the plunge. I was checking out www.pedalpartsplus.com today and they seem to be having all that is required. Some stuff I am planning to get from them:

125B /1290 Enclosures(Powder coated in various finishes.I don't have a means to do the messy painting work myself)
Switchcraft Jacks, Alpha pots,trimpots, 3PDT switches, knobs

I live in India, and you don't get this stuff here. I can easily find the other stuff like PCB/perfboards and components here though.

Did I miss out on any important stuff? I am planning to get this stuff through a friend who is visiting the US, so I want to get everything right.

I was also wondering - is it a good idea to do the final project on a veroboard? Do these have any noise issues compared to a PCB or perfboard? Just seems way easier to make and debug stuff on a veroboard.

Any words of wisdom/advice from bros experienced in DIY is most welcome:D
 
Re: Thinking of getting into DIY pedals

Well, you need to get the specific components for each project. Just remember that it's difficult to find some kinds of IC's and transistors, as well as some values of capacitors and resistors at local stores. It's much much cheaper to buy components in bulk through online stores, also. Secondly, you'll want to pick up a bunch of 9V battery clips and/or power sockets so you can plug your pedals in. A lot of electronic places in my town don't carry good wire either, so if you could find some 22 to 24 guage stranded insulted copper wire, that would be best. You'll also need some sort of "stand-offs" to hold the veroboards, perfboard, or PCB's away from the metal enclosure. I've done plently of projects on Veroboard and I've found the difference in noise from that and PCB boards is little to none. Veroboards are a great way to get into DIY pedal building. I also suggest trying to "pad-per-hole" type boards. Good luck with the pedal building! It's a great hobby! Let me know if you have any more questions.
 
Re: Thinking of getting into DIY pedals

Thanks for the advice guys:D

@HolyDirt..Thanks for reminding me..I got to order some J201, 2N5457 and select transistors.You are right, these are difficult to get hold of. As for the boards, stand-offs and wires, I know I can get them here. We have a large wholesale electronics market in our city and I have seen people to buying this stuff there. I plan to put DC jacks on all my pedals, so I am getting a bunch of them.

@Joelap..I am avoiding kits due to cost and because I am fairly confident I can manage this with parts. I can get many parts(passives, sockets, boards) for cheaper here.The exchange rate is just killer for me, so I am getting only the essential/unavailable stuff from USA.

Plan to start with the ROG Professor Tweed or maybe a Rangemaster clone.
 
Re: Thinking of getting into DIY pedals

nebucanazza said:
Thanks for the advice guys:D

@HolyDirt..Thanks for reminding me..I got to order some J201, 2N5457 and select transistors.You are right, these are difficult to get hold of. As for the boards, stand-offs and wires, I know I can get them here. We have a large wholesale electronics market in our city and I have seen people to buying this stuff there. I plan to put DC jacks on all my pedals, so I am getting a bunch of them.

@Joelap..I am avoiding kits due to cost and because I am fairly confident I can manage this with parts. I can get many parts(passives, sockets, boards) for cheaper here.The exchange rate is just killer for me, so I am getting only the essential/unavailable stuff from USA.

Plan to start with the ROG Professor Tweed or maybe a Rangemaster clone.
Click to expand...

I would start with something really really bare bones. Like a simple booster or overdrive. It seems easy on paper, but when you have to actually start wiring things, it can get a bit overwhelming if you're not used to it.
 
Re: Thinking of getting into DIY pedals

Thats OK..I think I can handle it. Did some basic breadboard circuits and electronics courses during college. I am an EE, though not specializing in circuits.

Still, I see what you are saying. Maybe I will do the Rangemaster first, it being simpler and having fewer parts.
 
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