Damonjames Posted December 21, 2013 Share Posted December 21, 2013 Hey guys, looking at making a fuzz pedal. Anything I should watch out for? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeFRC Posted December 21, 2013 Share Posted December 21, 2013 getting hooked and spending all your free time hunched over with a soldering iron... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_5 Posted December 21, 2013 Share Posted December 21, 2013 [quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1387650007' post='2314243'] getting hooked and spending all your free time hunched over with a soldering iron... [/quote] this. Also check that you put your transistors in the right way round… Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UglyDog Posted December 22, 2013 Share Posted December 22, 2013 1. Always, always use IC sockets -- don't solder 8-pin op-amps etc. direct to the board. I'd also recommend using transistor sockets. 2. Use a heat sink when working with certain components, e.g. 1N34 diodes, as they don't like getting too hot. 3. Don't attempt to solder your fingers into the circuit. It hurts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_5 Posted December 22, 2013 Share Posted December 22, 2013 [quote name='UglyDog' timestamp='1387675229' post='2314522'] 1. Always, always use IC sockets -- don't solder 8-pin op-amps etc. direct to the board. I'd also recommend using transistor sockets. 2. Use a heat sink when working with certain components, e.g. 1N34 diodes, as they don't like getting too hot. 3. Don't attempt to solder your fingers into the circuit. It hurts. [/quote] all of the above. Transistor sockets are useful, as you can often swap transistors to change how much gain/raspiness etc a fuzz pedals have, same with diodes (depending on the circuit). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobbass4k Posted December 22, 2013 Share Posted December 22, 2013 Make sure all your grounds are connected, do continuity tests with a multimeter to check. Some people will tell you you don't need a multimeter to build pedals. These people are idiots. If you're building on stripboard check with a multimeter to make sure all your track cuts are done properly and stray bits of copper aren't tracking across before you start populating it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sibob Posted December 22, 2013 Share Posted December 22, 2013 [quote name='UglyDog' timestamp='1387675229' post='2314522'] 2. Use a heat sink when working with certain components, e.g. 1N34 diodes, as they don't like getting too hot. [/quote] Although I often socket diodes too! Do you know what Fuzz you want to build? Each circuit has inherent pitfalls really. Si Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigBassBob Posted December 22, 2013 Share Posted December 22, 2013 Make sure your soldering technique is acceptable before taking on a project. Practice wiring some pots or something first. It's not fun having to go back over loads of sloppy (but working) solder joints to find the bad one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damonjames Posted December 22, 2013 Author Share Posted December 22, 2013 [quote name='BigBassBob' timestamp='1387720628' post='2314856'] Make sure your soldering technique is acceptable before taking on a project. Practice wiring some pots or something first. It's not fun having to go back over loads of sloppy (but working) solder joints to find the bad one. [/quote] Thanks for the advise, I think I should be ok. I am an industrial electrician by trade and studied electronics ;- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damonjames Posted December 22, 2013 Author Share Posted December 22, 2013 [quote name='Sibob' timestamp='1387705208' post='2314619'] Although I often socket diodes too! Do you know what Fuzz you want to build? Each circuit has inherent pitfalls really. Si [/quote] Fuzz wise, I would like To build a tall font green Russian and/or a civil war russian. I would also like to make some variations with a mid boost or possibly a hi/low pass filter like the new deluxe bass big muff. I would like to have a shot at anything really, maybe a noise gate, a compressor, envelope filter or octaver/synth. I have no idea if these are achievable for a home builder or not so some feedback would be great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sibob Posted December 22, 2013 Share Posted December 22, 2013 I had great results from the GGG Green Muff, I also added the AMZ Mid/body/presence control, which is great. Good place to start Si Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_5 Posted December 22, 2013 Share Posted December 22, 2013 My thread a home made OC2 clone: http://basschat.co.uk/topic/203405-faux-c2-build-with-samples/page__fromsearch__1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damonjames Posted December 22, 2013 Author Share Posted December 22, 2013 Nice one Paul! Might try that, I'm not overly picky about the octave, just something to add that synth feel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UglyDog Posted December 23, 2013 Share Posted December 23, 2013 [quote name='Damonjames' timestamp='1387726546' post='2314914'] Thanks for the advise, I think I should be ok. I am an industrial electrician by trade and studied electronics ;- [/quote] In fairness, you didn't say or suggest that at the start. Your OP did give the impression of a total novice, hence the basic advice. [quote name='Damonjames' timestamp='1387727410' post='2314927'] I would like to have a shot at anything really, maybe a noise gate, a compressor, envelope filter or octaver/synth. I have no idea if these are achievable for a home builder or not so some feedback would be great! [/quote] There are vero layouts online for pretty much anything you can think of. There's even a Meatball clone if you feel particularly brave! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damonjames Posted December 23, 2013 Author Share Posted December 23, 2013 Thanks Ugly Dog, I've been doing some searching online, this could be dangerous! I wasn't trying to sound patronising with my previous comment by the way. You are right, I probably should have highlighted that I have some experience in this field! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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