DIY newbie, looking for help with Electra distortion....

[captainmouse]

Hi, everyone. I'm new to DIY stompboxes, in fact this is my first project ever, and I thought some of you might be able to help. I was looking for a simple project to keep me busy over the Xmas break, and I came across this beginner project page: http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Library/1355/beginners.html. I went out and bought the stuff I was gonna need at Radio Shack save for the 2.2M resistor and the 100k audio taper pot (they didn't have them unfortunately, I'm trying to find them elsewhere). Anyway, I really just don't understand how to put it all together, and the directions are so unclear, I'm having lots of trouble with it. How does the circuit actually all come together? I understand the whole punching the perfboard thing (mine's prepunched) and soldering the leads in the holes, but how do I connect x part to y part to z part and so on? It says something about an etching solution... I dunno what that means, it didn't tell me to get that. A friend of mine said I could tie the leads together in the right order like it shows on the schematic, but how would I solder them down then? I'd really appreciate if someone could kinda give me a run-through with my schematic and parts and everything in mind.

Thanks for the help,
Matt

[aron]

A friend of mine said I could tie the leads together in the right order like it shows on the schematic, but how would I solder them down then?

Take a look at how the beginner project (the pictorial) connects leads together. That's how you would connect your leads together with the Electra.

[Marcos - Munky]

Just a suggestion, try to build another thing for the first project. Is easier to build the booster in the begginers project, because is full descripted with photos. And better, if you want a fuzz, build the Bazz Fuss (check runoffgroove.com), the simplest fuzz that you will find. And sonds very cool too. And the Elctra layout have a error in the switch wiring.

[Travis]

If you want to make the electra, it is a pretty simple build.  On perfboard, use the remainder of the component leads to make the connections.  The lead should be cut so that it reaches the place where you want the joint.

When you first wire it up, do not include the pots or switches.  These are the easiest places to make errors when you are starting.  Connect the input directly to the circuit input, and the circuit output directly to the 1/4" out.  Make sure that you ground your 1/4" jacks.

This is a nice sounding little circuit.  Still, if you DO want to do something that has already been laid out for you, the bazz fuss is also very nice sounding.

http://www.runoffgroove.com/articles.html

[smoguzbenjamin]

If you're a perf-er (like me), you're going to lik runoffgroove, they've got perf layouts for all their project posted. Must recommend them!