DIY pedal kits

Lots of sage advise in the Burnt Fingers DIY Effects room of this forum. Vero,kits, breadboard stuff.....

 

Not really sure where to point someone this early in the game who doesn't like fuzz. My advice would be to build a simple fuzz or a clean boost just to get some soldering experience, you can start on Vero or buy a pcb kit, a kit will save time but will limit your options. I always build from scratch on Vero, you just need to find a good supplier that's affordable, I use bitsbox in the UK but not sure about the USA. I would go the Vero route and when you get a handle on the basics of suggest runoffgroove's Britannia circuit.

 

Yeah, we have been stuck down here forever.. whats it like up there these days?

 

I'd say ditch the kits. Vero board is easier for novices rather than PCB. Pick 3 pedal circuits and make a spreadsheet of all the parts in the builds. Buy extra components because if this is your first time, you're liable to "screw" something up. Buy parts in bulk from eBay. Look for assortment packs of resistors and electrolytic capacitors.

 

If you want a kit that will look really good try aion electronics (https://aionelectronics.com/). I have built up some of their pcbs and loved them. The kits they make will give you a pro quality end result for your first build. Their kits are closer to $80 but they come with nicely finished enclosures with graphics, nice stomp switch, quality components.

 

For your first effects you could also use kits from china. Cheap and nice for learning soldering and basic wiring. I have a couple of kits from this store: https://www.aliexpress.com/store/1045809?spm=2114.12010608.0.0.249e74189JAibN They are quite decent when build as supplied. I have modded mine and still buy these kits as a base for new pedals.

 

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Start with these. Order stomp switches, pots, etc on Amazon/etc and build. I found glass-fiber (rigid) boxes with neat lids (not overhanging wall-board type like most) electrical boxes at Mendard's a few months back that I picked up for pedal builds. Least expensive project boxes I've found.

Ten Minute Fuzz

Howie's Metal Simplex Fuzz

Passive "Black Ice" ToneFiend


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Buildyourownclone.com

 

I've noticed there are a lot of cheap pedal kits on Amazon. Makes me want to try making something. They're like $27 and up.

Here is a Klon clone:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N0K3NUI/?tag=tdpri-20

 

OP, kits are fun.
Last year, I was interested in trying a pedal that would be a faithful reproduction of the EP3 tape echo pre-amp. After a lot of reading and looking, I stumbled on this small business in the UK ~ they sell on ebay. The pedals they sell are available as kits, or fully assembled. I bought their Fet-O-Plex, which is claimed to be a near exact clone of the EP3 pre-amp.
All you need is to be able to solder and follow detailed, step by step instructions. Ended up with a good pedal for something around $30 or $40. I may try their treble booster one of these days.

Here’s the link off ebay. GMR Spares.
I have no affiliation...
Scroll down to see “sellers other items”.

http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-5...0001&campid=5338148343&icep_item=254389831862

 

General Guitar Gadgets is a very good place to start with. Great kits with instructions that make sense.

 

I've put together their Red Llama, Jordan Boss Tone, and Blues Breaker. All pretty easy builds.