Suggestions: My first DIY pedal

Father_Jack · January 31, 2006, 01:34:05 PM

I want to make a cheap overdrive, just to get me used to soldering, creating circuits and the like. I am planning to mod a DS-1 to the keeley SEM specs, so this will just be some practice. Doesn't need to be spectacular, just simple and nice sounding.

Thanks,

Jack

Mark Hammer · January 31, 2006, 01:46:30 PM

Oh, Father!! (Imagine Sylvester the Cat's young offspring with a paper bag on his head, in response to Sylvester being bested by the baby kangaroo)

DS-1s are pretty cheap these days. Unless you have serious reservations about your competence, why NOT start with modding it? After all, you'll know that everything works, and that, unless you create some weird solder bridge or accidentally rip the battery connector, it will STILL work when you're done...just differently.

There are LOTS of mods to be done on the DS-1, and it provides an excellent base for learning many of the things you'd want to learn by building something from scratch...but without the exasperation.

Steben · January 31, 2006, 01:49:29 PM

A real "overdrive" should lead you to the "tube reamer". DS-1 is a distortion.

Mark Hammer · January 31, 2006, 01:53:47 PM

Ah, but you can *make* it an overdrive by changing a few things. That's where the learning happens.

Father_Jack · January 31, 2006, 01:57:10 PM

The DS-1 is still too expensive to start on, as I have no job, and haven't soldered since I was in year 9

I wouldn't mind if it were passive, just something to get me started with soldering, and stuff in a small circuit.

Peter Snow · January 31, 2006, 02:02:45 PM

QuoteOh, Father!! (Imagine Sylvester the Cat's young offspring with a paper bag on his head, in response to Sylvester being bested by the baby kangaroo)

I think it is more likely to be: "Drrrrink! Girrrrls! Feck!"
Father Ted rules!

Peter

hank reynolds 3rd · January 31, 2006, 02:05:07 PM

LPB-1

hank reynolds 3rd · January 31, 2006, 02:06:42 PM

'that would be an economical matter ...'

Alex C · January 31, 2006, 02:09:13 PM

The beginner's project (found here: http://www.elixant.com/~stompbox/smfforum/index.php?board=6.0 ) sounds like the perfect thing for you.

It's a simple booster circuit, so no actual "drive" (maybe a bit at high settings), but it's a very practical build.

The threads in the beginner's project forum will guide you through the build step by step, with pictures, diagrams, and written explanations. It was designed just for those such as yourself, who have not soldered in a long time (or never), and need some "practice" while still yeilding a usable pedal at the end.

Many of the things you will learn (such as input/output jack wiring, stomp switch wiring, pots, etc. - basically off-board components) are not specific skills to this project, but are the foundation of most any other pedal you will build.

Good luck with whatever you choose, and welcome to the forum.

-Alex C

Father_Jack · January 31, 2006, 02:10:56 PM

Quote from: Peter Snow on January 31, 2006, 02:02:45 PM
I think it is more likely to be: "Drrrrink! Girrrrls! Feck!"
Father Ted rules!

Peter

Yeah it did rule.

RIP Dermot Morgan, the show would have never been the same without him.

Mark Hammer · January 31, 2006, 02:12:33 PM

Quote from: hank reynolds 3rd on January 31, 2006, 02:06:42 PM
'that would be an economical matter ...'

Killer pun! Many thanks. You've earned your pay. You can go home with a smile now.

Father_Jack · January 31, 2006, 02:14:01 PM

Cheers Alex. I will have a read and see what I make of it.

Joecool85 · January 31, 2006, 02:18:36 PM

Quote from: Father_Jack on January 31, 2006, 01:57:10 PM
The DS-1 is still too expensive to start on, as I have no job, and haven't soldered since I was in year 9

I wouldn't mind if it were passive, just something to get me started with soldering, and stuff in a small circuit.

This is the only passive thing I can think of as far as an effect goes:
http://www.elixant.com/~stompbox/smfforum/index.php?topic=18270.0

Or you could make a Mr. Clean:
http://www.vmsrecords.com/dissolute/pedals.html
(bottom of page)

petemoore · January 31, 2006, 02:26:47 PM

Read at Small Bear Tweek-O project for soldering, assmebly etc. pic/tutorial/texts.
Use a fine tipped iron.
Use socket, at least for transitor or IC on first build.
You'll be really wanting/needing a DMM to work with circuits.

Joecool85 · January 31, 2006, 02:31:01 PM

DMM?

Alex C · January 31, 2006, 02:43:53 PM

Good one Pete, I had forgotten the Tweak-o. It was my first build, and the step-by-step process was really great for me.
Check it out here: http://www.smallbearelec.com/Projects/TweakO/TweakO.htm

P.S. DMM= Digital Multimeter

P.P.S. P.S. stands for "post script".

P.P.P.S. P.P.S. stand for "post-post script".

......

Father_Jack · January 31, 2006, 03:00:09 PM

Quote from: Alex C on January 31, 2006, 02:43:53 PM
Good one Pete, I had forgotten the Tweak-o. It was my first build, and the step-by-step process was really great for me.
Check it out here: http://www.smallbearelec.com/Projects/TweakO/TweakO.htm

P.S. DMM= Digital Multimeter

P.P.S. P.S. stands for "post script".

P.P.P.S. P.P.S. stand for "post-post script".

....

That seems like the one for me, step-by-step stuff. Cheers

AdamB · January 31, 2006, 04:09:28 PM

joe's Eazy Drive? It's only 1 transistor, very few parts, apparently sounds quite good. There is a breadboard layout in the overdrive/distortion section of http://www.indyguitarist.com/torchy or you can buy a ready made circuit board from http://www.generalguitargadgets.com.

twabelljr · January 31, 2006, 04:28:20 PM

My first project was modding my TS-9. I practiced de-soldering (component removal), and soldering on old radios and vcrs.
No need to worry about damaging anything and you may be able to "scavenge" all the parts needed for the mod.

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Suggestions: My first DIY pedal