Anybody who can build a pedal for me in Germany/nearby?

[AfLf]

Hi,

this is a great site with many interesting layouts. Unfortunately, I have no knowledge of electronics, soldering etc., so that I couldn't build one of the layouts properly and riskfree. Is there anybody out (t)here that could build some pedals for a reasonable price for me? I'm living in Germany and would be interested in

mad-professor-sweet-honey
vemuram-jan-ray
klon-centaur
shins-music-dumbloid-special
menatone-red-snapper


Perhaps some of these are obsolete, as they are very similar soundwise to each other?
Also, would it be possible to put three layouts into one case with only one power adapter?

Thanks for any suggestions,

Tom

[ξεναγος νεκροπολης]

hi aflf!
take the risk and try it!
i didn't have any knowledge in electronics too...

the red snapper for example is an easy start cause it's here
http://tagboardeffects.blogspot.gr/2012/04/vero-build-guide.html
with a step by step guide!

you can start from an easier layout too (there are plenty of them here), and i'm sure there will be a lot of people who would like to help you. including me.
i've build most of those pedals your looking for, and 20 more, in about 8 months since i've started this hobby with no electronics background

if you see that you can't do it yourself, then someone could build it for you.

[AfLf]

Hi,

thanks for the heads up. What worries me, for instance, is that I can't estimate what is crucial and what not, when some parts are not available (what replacement?) or are only available with a certain tolerance. Do I need to check every component valuewise, can I destroy something etc.?

A friend of mine would help, but he asked for the actual schematics, not just the board layouts. And the schematics are not posted here, or did I miss something?

Kind regards,

Tom

[mim#1]

I'm in the Czech Republic and also want to encourage you to get into this yourself! I'm a guitar player, with no electronics schooling but thats not a problem cause we know what sounds good! Get yourself an inexpensive soldering station from china like a Hakko and start with something simple like an LPB-1 boost, Speaker Cranker or something with a low parts count. Better yet, buy a ready made pcb first, its alot easier then tagboard.
I dont measure my parts before installing but I have all my caps and resistors well organized. Buy a resistor kit from China with all the values you'd ever need. Really, the cost of buying one new boutique pedal will set you up with a nice soldering station and all the parts you need to build lots and lots of pedals.There are still some circuits that are a bit too complex for me to tackle but with each build I'm getting better,neater and quicker.
 If your a gigging guitarist the last thing you want is a problem onstage, and thats incentive enough for you to go slow and get things absolutely perfect.
Now, if you hang out on the Gear Page and can afford anything and everything under the sun then maybe go that route. Me, I got into DIY from necessity cause I cant afford to try everything out there.

[ξεναγος νεκροπολης]

all this building-effects thing needs lots of reading, practicing, and some money at the beginning...you need a good soldering iron for sure. Mark and miro have posted here some very helpful information about pedalbuilding.
you could also read topics for beginners on here
 http://www.freestompboxes.org/ 
there are some general rules about the components we use.
everything you need to know for now is here
http://tagboardeffects.blogspot.gr/p/components.html
if you can't find a part ,then a simply question to the project's topic may give you the answer about the replacement. or sometimes goggling is a good way to find it too...
goggling also provides lots of schematics if your friend could help.
try this for schematics if you can find something interesting
http://www.tonepad.com/

you can destroy staff like chips, transistors, capacitors, resistors, switches and other....anything you like....
but if you are careful, then nothing serious will happen...
...but if you can't destroy something, then where the fun is???

have fun mate!

[Heath]

Here's a great idea... I'm pretty sure at least one of those layouts you mentioned is available in a kit.  try and find a kit with actual Vero board so that you can really get the proper experience (not that pcbs are bad.. they're nice, but I am SO glad I learned to work with Vero first)

A kit will have everything you need (except maybe an enclosure, so double check that) without the need to buy a bunch of individual stuff.

If you try it out and hate it, then you've lost a minimal investment.  


- Here is a site where you can get a kit or two, and I believe I see at least 2 or 3 of the ones you listed right off:  http://www.bitsbox.co.uk/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=280_281

- Same site, a solder iron to start off with.  Personally, I'd pay a couple of bucks more to add a stand or just buy the one that comes with an integrated stand.  Either way you go, it's dirt cheap, at least until you decide "I'm going to build 100 pedals!!!!!"
http://www.bitsbox.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=243_268&products_id=1976

- Same site, here is a cheap bit of good solder to get you started .
http://www.bitsbox.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=238_245&products_id=2122

- Check what size enclosure you will need (most of the ones you mentioned should fit in a 1590B or 125B (slightly larger), but I'm sure anyone here will be more than happy to chime in if you mention a particular project), select a couple of knobs to slap on that puppy and you're rockin, man.  

After you've caught the bug fully, you can stock up on cheap parts to have them when you need them and it gets much cheaper... well, cheaper per pedal :D  You will probably find that taydaelectronics.com will be your best friend.

First, just know that you CAN do it.  Second decide on what you want to build and get the stuff you need to build it.  Third, ask questions.  This is the nicest online community I've ever been a part of.  People here like to help.

And just an afterthought... Sort your resistors carefully and you won't have to check them when you're building.  I would, however, check capacitors as you build.  I've never come across a bad resistor, but I have definitely come across a few bad capacitors.  Don't worry too much about that when starting out from a kit, but later on I would advise it.  

There's a component guide here (http://tagboardeffects.blogspot.com/p/components.html) that should answer questions on the various types of resistors, capacitors, pots, etc. but again, ask questions if you are confused and I'm pretty certain someone will answer.

[Heath]

Oh, and if you decide to do this, PLEASE grab one of these as well (you'll want more later, but 1 will last you at least a few builds)

http://www.bitsbox.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=225_230&products_id=1648

Super cheap and it WILL keep you from destroying your transistors and chips.  Also keeps you from pulling an "OH SHIT, I soldered it in backwards!"  :D

[rocket88]

totally agree with heath. i never solder in my IC's or transistors directly. my biggest fear is that i'll fry them. also, by socketing the IC's and transistors you can always swap them out and try others, which is awesome for experimenting and tweaking a circuit to how YOU want it, rather then how a manufacturer says it should sound.

plus, i'm sure i'm not the only one here that would say this, but in the community everyone is here to help each other when there are problems. so never be afraid. if you can solder, you can build a pedal. you just need to take your time. i always start with resistors first, cause they lay flat, then put in my transistor/IC sockets (i socket my clipping diodes so i can try different ones for different tones and clipping sounds), then my ceramic/multilayer ceramic caps, then my poly caps, and lastly my electrolytics since they are the tallest. the rest is the off board wiring with is just time consuming, just take your time and you'll get it. if you check out the thread "show your pedal guts" you'll see a lot of us have gone from very messy and cluttered to a much neater and cleaner install. it just takes time and practice.