Re: The D.I.Y. thread.

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Re: The D.I.Y. thread.

Post by ThePearDream » Tue Mar 28, 2023 9:07 am

When I built my klone (on the same pedalpcb board), I used individual pin sockets in the diode positions so that I could experiment with different diode options. All of the commonly used germanium diodes sounded good. Some Silicon diodes sound good too, I had some BAT41 in for a long while. I eventually settled on a pair of 1N34A, which are really only slightly better/different than the other stuff I tried. Hope this helps!
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Re: The D.I.Y. thread.

Post by Dr Tony Balls » Tue Mar 28, 2023 11:48 am

ThePearDream wrote:
Tue Mar 28, 2023 9:07 am
I eventually settled on a pair of 1N34A, which are really only slightly better/different than the other stuff I tried.
The real measurable difference we're talking about here is forward voltage. I have germanium diodes ranging from about 0.23V to 0.38V and the difference between them would be VERY slight compared to, say, silicon diodes that have forward voltages up like 0.7V. Supposedly a good chunk of people play their Klons set in the "not-even-diode-clipping" range, anyway.
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Re: The D.I.Y. thread.

Post by F15hface » Tue Apr 25, 2023 12:02 pm

I built a pedal for the first time over the weekend.

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Image

7 minute fuzz, super simple but given my prior soldering experience is very poorly wiring a single pickup single volume guitar it was quite the learning experience. Miraculously it works, except for the LED. I have another PCB so will make another with better pot, jack, and power spacing, and hopefully it’ll light up too.

Oh, and it sounds outrageously filthy.

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Re: The D.I.Y. thread.

Post by sal paradise » Tue Apr 25, 2023 12:06 pm

Cool! How long did it take you?

I’m dangerously close to beginning a v similar journey. To learn a bit about electronics, and take my time with something that I can enjoy afterwards.
I have nothing to offer anybody, except my own confusion?

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Re: The D.I.Y. thread.

Post by F15hface » Tue Apr 25, 2023 11:42 pm

sal paradise wrote:
Tue Apr 25, 2023 12:06 pm
Cool! How long did it take you?

I’m dangerously close to beginning a v similar journey. To learn a bit about electronics, and take my time with something that I can enjoy afterwards.
Populating the PCB didn’t take that long, maybe half an hour? All the offboard wiring took me about two hours though, I broke a wire and had to struggle though removing it’s end from a pad without any desoldering materials. I suppose once you account for drilling and testing it’s an afternoon.

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Re: The D.I.Y. thread.

Post by sal paradise » Tue Apr 25, 2023 11:45 pm

F15hface wrote:
Tue Apr 25, 2023 11:42 pm
sal paradise wrote:
Tue Apr 25, 2023 12:06 pm
Cool! How long did it take you?

I’m dangerously close to beginning a v similar journey. To learn a bit about electronics, and take my time with something that I can enjoy afterwards.
Populating the PCB didn’t take that long, maybe half an hour? All the offboard wiring took me about two hours though, I broke a wire and had to struggle though removing it’s end from a pad without any desoldering materials. I suppose once you account for drilling and testing it’s an afternoon.
That’s not bad at all. Worth the effort invested?
I have nothing to offer anybody, except my own confusion?

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Re: The D.I.Y. thread.

Post by F15hface » Wed Apr 26, 2023 2:05 am

sal paradise wrote:
Tue Apr 25, 2023 11:45 pm
F15hface wrote:
Tue Apr 25, 2023 11:42 pm
sal paradise wrote:
Tue Apr 25, 2023 12:06 pm
Cool! How long did it take you?

I’m dangerously close to beginning a v similar journey. To learn a bit about electronics, and take my time with something that I can enjoy afterwards.
Populating the PCB didn’t take that long, maybe half an hour? All the offboard wiring took me about two hours though, I broke a wire and had to struggle though removing it’s end from a pad without any desoldering materials. I suppose once you account for drilling and testing it’s an afternoon.
That’s not bad at all. Worth the effort invested?
I think so. I had fun, got much better at soldering, and now have a pedal that only cost £30 and a bit of time. I’m definitely planning more builds, looking through fuzzdog and jedspeds is dangerous.

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Re: The D.I.Y. thread.

Post by wingnutkj » Wed Apr 26, 2023 2:49 am

F15hface wrote:
Wed Apr 26, 2023 2:05 am
I think so. I had fun, got much better at soldering, and now have a pedal that only cost £30 and a bit of time. I’m definitely planning more builds, looking through fuzzdog and jedspeds is dangerous.
Contratulations on your first build - definitely worth investing in a solder sucker and desoldering braid. I've made a few now, and inevitably have to desolder something along the way. Anything with more than one connection (eg, getting the pots the wrong way round) is a nightmare.

I found that once I'd built a few and begun to understand the circuits, I became a bit cynical about the world of boutique pedals, but that's a whole different can of worms (and has been covered to death elsewhere).
Kenny

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Re: The D.I.Y. thread.

Post by sal paradise » Wed Apr 26, 2023 4:04 am

When I set up Paradise pedals it’ll be clones of JHS pedals, using Boss style branding.
I have nothing to offer anybody, except my own confusion?

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Re: The D.I.Y. thread.

Post by F15hface » Wed Apr 26, 2023 6:02 am

wingnutkj wrote:
Wed Apr 26, 2023 2:49 am
F15hface wrote:
Wed Apr 26, 2023 2:05 am
I think so. I had fun, got much better at soldering, and now have a pedal that only cost £30 and a bit of time. I’m definitely planning more builds, looking through fuzzdog and jedspeds is dangerous.
Contratulations on your first build - definitely worth investing in a solder sucker and desoldering braid. I've made a few now, and inevitably have to desolder something along the way. Anything with more than one connection (eg, getting the pots the wrong way round) is a nightmare.

I found that once I'd built a few and begun to understand the circuits, I became a bit cynical about the world of boutique pedals, but that's a whole different can of worms (and has been covered to death elsewhere).
Thank you! Desoldering equipment is deffinitely on the shopping list. I agree about boutique cynicism, at the end of the day there’s nothing truly unique about 99% of pedals and you’re paying for a name and aesthetic more than the sound. I’m pretty sure I’ll be picking up a bumble buzz kit soon. A real one looks great, but mine will sound the same and be around 20% of the price.

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Re: The D.I.Y. thread.

Post by Dr Tony Balls » Wed Apr 26, 2023 6:47 am

On the topic of solder suckers, this specific model was a game changer for me:

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Re: The D.I.Y. thread.

Post by JSett » Wed Apr 26, 2023 11:03 am

Dr Tony Balls wrote:
Wed Apr 26, 2023 6:47 am
On the topic of solder suckers, this specific model was a game changer for me:
I bought one of those and it clogged itself within a month with one slightly larger than usual suck, had to throw it away in the end. Maybe it was just bad luck but I've been using a cheaper one for over two years now since and it's been perfect.

Maybe I asked too much of it.
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Re: The D.I.Y. thread.

Post by s_mcsleazy » Wed Apr 26, 2023 3:04 pm

most solder suckers clog up fairly quickly. the best one i ever had was the size and rough shape of a large marital aide. it would clog every 2 weeks or so but i used to clean it out after doing the washing up. usually soap and water is good enough.
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Re: The D.I.Y. thread.

Post by sal paradise » Fri May 05, 2023 10:55 am

I bought a soldering iron kit, a helping hand, and this arrived today. Got my eye on three kits, each getting slightly more complex. It’s gonna happen.

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I have nothing to offer anybody, except my own confusion?

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Re: The D.I.Y. thread.

Post by BlixaFan » Sun Jul 02, 2023 3:56 pm

I’m considering building myself a Fortin 33 clone.. well the Isosceles, so sort of a deluxe version of one lol.. or getting someone to do it because I’ll likely blow it 😂😂

I’ve never built a pedal though so perhaps it’s a little too much for a first one
Thoughts?

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