pedalbuilding - the next step

Benmurray85 · Post by **Benmurray85** » Tue Apr 12, 2011 11:44 am

the saga continues

so i built my musikding "das screamer" got it to pass signal but the effect was dead. having had one of my more experienced mates look it over i now know what i did wrong and its working a treat.

as has been predicted on this forum i now seriosuly have THE BUG!

so im looking for my next project. i love the ts9 but id like something with a bit more dirt, so i was looking at a few fulltone ocd projects but i fear they may be a bit too much yet.

im looking more at overdirve than full on distortion although if anybody can recommend a dist box with great clarity id be very greatful

any suggestions guys

im not able to read schematics properly yet so id like to work off a veroboard layout if poss and i dont really want to do a kit again (a bit too much painting by numbers for my liking)

im open to anything just want a bit of a challenge. thanks

timhulio · Post by **timhulio** » Tue Apr 12, 2011 12:02 pm

Do an big muff on vero. There's loads of layouts around. I think Mike may have posted one.

The parts aren't too fussy or expensive and it's a little more complicated than a TS.

Socket the transistors until you're good at soldering.

Benmurray85 · Post by **Benmurray85** » Tue Apr 12, 2011 12:15 pm

cheers tim

i would do a big muff but i already own one so i kinda cant see the point in making one just for the sake of it (and funds are incredibly tight at the mo!!!!)

i was just looking at mikes veroboard layout for his saltbooster, it looks kinda easy but im guessing not?

timhulio · Post by **timhulio** » Tue Apr 12, 2011 12:51 pm

No, it is very easy. Not that satisfying though, a simple booster.

Howabout a silicon Fuzzface?

lorez · Post by **lorez** » Tue Apr 12, 2011 12:54 pm

i don't understand about saying I already have a muff so I'm not doing it. There are so many of them out there to try with so many different characteristics or modifications.

Benmurray85 · Post by **Benmurray85** » Tue Apr 12, 2011 1:07 pm

lorez wrote:i don't understand about saying I already have a muff so I'm not doing it. There are so many of them out there to try with so many different characteristics or modifications.

fair point

im not really an effects "connoisseur" and although i do understand that all muffs have great amounts of difference in tone, control, gain etc at the mo im not really in the position financially to pursue that tone mecca/holy grail etc

i'd rather build something that i know i need and that ive got a genuine interest in getting some great results out of.

cheers guys

any other suggestions? im thinking more overdrive/mild distortion levels?

Post by **Mike** » Tue Apr 12, 2011 1:13 pm

timhulio wrote:No, it is very easy. Not that satisfying though, a simple booster.

What the fuck ever, Tim.

timhulio · Post by **timhulio** » Tue Apr 12, 2011 1:36 pm

I didn't mean that in a derogatory way, honest. Really I should have said LPB-1 rather than Saltbooster, but if he's getting into effects he should go for something more exciting than a simple booster. I'd have said the same for a SHO or one of those jfet boosters.

Boosters are useful, but hardly thrilling.

Post by **Mike** » Tue Apr 12, 2011 1:51 pm

Far more useful in many a setup than a Muff or Tubescreamer in my opinion.

- they can bring out sounds in other pedals you already own by being stuck up front
- they can be used to even out sounds between different guitars when playing live
- they can smack the front end of you amp from breakup into overdrive
- they can just be tasty to play

Without the Saltbooster I am nothing, I'll never forget where I'm from.

Stuart · Post by **Stuart** » Tue Apr 12, 2011 2:42 pm

The first thing I made from schematic to box, was an Orange Squeezer. I think from the General Guitar Gadgets schematic. It isn't as complex as a big muff, or even tube screamer, but I'd definitely recommend if; you happy with the option for dirt you're already using and/or you're not going to use a kit for your next project.

SGJarrod · Post by **SGJarrod** » Tue Apr 12, 2011 3:36 pm

Do a SaltBooster for a boost and then a DAM Meathead for a Fuzz...

these would be great introductions to vero board....

And the SaltBooster may not be a complicated build but as Mike said it is an amazing tool to ad to ur current rig.... I hardly ever use it as a stand alone pedal but it boosts BMP's like WHOA!!! and is a nice touch to a tube amps break up....

and the Meathead will be a great learning experience in the terms of input and output caps, if you build it experiment with those two caps and u can really change the whole sould of the pedal... I put two selections on a switch so I have the normal version and the dark version in one box

after u do some simpler vero builds like these then I would suggest doing an OCD or DLS for ur distortion/ OD