Simple DIY Projects

[AMZ-FX]

Here are a few simple DIY projects, a booster, Fuzzface and A/B box that are shown with very detailed layouts that are quite simple for the beginner to follow:

http://smallbox.zeonhost.com/

regards, Jack

[Reaxis]

wow.. this is freakin great. thanks!!! keep the great links coming!

[Moltar]

thank you!!! I have been looking for this site for weeks!

[AMZ-FX]

Either the booster or fuzzface will give a lot of bang for the bucks and are easy to make, even for a beginner!

regards, Jack

[Cosmic_Monkey]

Those 3D style layouts are cool looking, I wonder how he does those.

[phaeton]

I've gotten a lot of mileage out of both the LPB-? and Mr. Orman's 'Muffer'.

The canonical "Hello World" of stompbox building is usually a FuzzFace, but i think the above two are more straightforward, fun to tweak, and possibly more 'fool proof' for a beginner.


Just my $0.02

[powerplayj]

I'd recommend Jack's MOSFET boost over any other beginner project out there. It's small, the parts count is low, the parts are cheap and it is an extremely versatile pedal. It also works well with a clean and dirty amp and plays well before and after other OD's and distortions.

[RoboPimp]

*cough sticky*
*cough sticky*

that's a great site

\the only critique I have is I think the "layout" drawings are a bit hard to follow because of the 3D perspective. It isn't impossible and they are beautiful graphics but it seems that form should follow function. Despite my bitching I am bookmarking the site!! Thanks AMZ

[RoboPimp]

also, anyone care to explain the differences between the build of the LPB-1 on this page and the general guitar gadgets.

There are different values in a few of the resistors and capacitors.

for ex. the input and output caps are .1uf on the GGG and .15 on the smallbox site.

thanks

[InterpolJaguar]

You need to make more of these! Possibly a Rat circuit?

[Pwn3d]

man, I've been trying to remember what that site name was for ages

[PolyFmorf]

Originally posted by phaeton
I've gotten a lot of mileage out of both the LPB-? and Mr. Orman's 'Muffer'.

The canonical "Hello World" of stompbox building is usually a FuzzFace...

Just my $0.02 Uh oh. Another programmer amongst us.

[dan-o-guitar]

Originally posted by PolyFmorf
Uh oh. Another programmer amongst us.

Heh. Back in the 90's I wrote two books on programming. Hello world sure brings back some painful memories (i.e. don't write a book, it is way to much work)

[RupertB]

I've built the LPB & the AB box.

The LPB sounds good in front of my 5E3, though at higher settings, it can inject a bit of high-end fizzyness that I don't care for. I've even used it to boost the signal of my acoustic.

The AB box works great & also serves as a "ground fault detector" BZZZZZZZZ! ;) (no hum with proper ground)

[phaeton]

Originally posted by PolyFmorf
Uh oh. Another programmer amongst us.

10 ?"OMG THEY FOUND US OUT!!!";
20 RUN

[thebeatcatcher]

if i'm not mistaken when the boost is not on the switch just connects the two jacks together right? so is this a true bypass which would not mess with tone when not using the boost?

[bmf5150]

i built one of your AMZ mosfet boost pedals!i love that damn pedal.makes my plexi sound like Vanhalen 1!!!here is a clip!
http://www.mp3lizard.com/download.cfm?id=18856

[PolyFmorf]

:thu: I'm sold!

[OU813]

I just finished building a tele clone and am looking for another project This just might be it. thanks:thu:

[Bruce Bennett]

I'm offering a pre-packaged circuit kit for the LPB1
comes with clear photographic instructions.
all componants tested and ready to install in PCB.

15.00 + 2.50 shipping

[bmf5150]

Originally posted by Bruce Bennett
I'm offering a pre-packaged circuit kit for the LPB1
comes with clear photographic instructions.
all componants tested and ready to install in PCB.

15.00 + 2.50 shipping sounds like a great deal!

[thebeatcatcher]

can the LPB1 be used to boost the signal of a piezo pickup (increase input resistor?) to perform the duty similar to an impedance matching preamp, or is this not a good solution for piezos?

[AMZ-FX]

Not really... the input impedance is too low and it will sound muddy with no top end.

regards, Jack

[molsen]

what different components can be used in construction of the fuzzface to change the tone?

[dan-o-guitar]

Originally posted by molsen
what different components can be used in construction of the fuzzface to change the tone? http://www.geofex.com/Article_Folders/fuzzface/fffram.htm

[molsen]

just what i was looking for, thanks!

[azerjaboomafar]

where should i get the all the pieces for this kit. im a noob on building stuff

[molsen]

goto the link he provided originally and click on the pedal you want to build then up at the top, click on the parts list. it includes all of the parts you need and where to buy them.

very nice stuff :D

[fluxpunk]

hi iam new in diy i wanted to build the fuzz box as linked to. just wondering does

8K2 1/4 watt mean a 8.2k resistor?

and also i notice there are 2 types carbon film and metal film which one ?

thanks

[PolyFmorf]

Yes, it means 8.2K. I guess people too lazy to type a period abbreviate it.

I don't know the difference in metal film vs carbon film? Maybe he had both in his parts bin. I am building a project and the four 1/4w resistors are carbon. What is important to me is tolerance. I only use 5%.

[PolyFmorf]

Originally posted by azerjaboomafar
where should i get the all the pieces for this kit. im a noob on building stuff I use Mouser (www.mouser.com). There are also smaller guys I like to support such as Small Bear (http://www.smallbearelec.com/home.html)

[fluxpunk]

hi iam new to electronics just looking at parts for fuzz face and does 470R 1/4 watt carbon film resistor mean a 470 ohm resisotor?

sorry iam really new to this but also what volt Capacitors do you need for this?



thanks

[mumford]

Originally posted by fluxpunk
hi iam new to electronics just looking at parts for fuzz face and does 470R 1/4 watt carbon film resistor mean a 470 ohm resisotor?


Yes.


I like to use 16v capacitors in units that run on 9v.

[HamsterSandwich]

That Fuzz Face looks looks intruguing. I really don't need a fuzz box, but I'd kind of like to try a simple DIY project just for the experience. So far my electronic resume is limited to a Heathkit digital alarm clock I built about 25 years ago. It worked for years, so I guess I did it right.

Now maybe I'm foolish considering straying from the design on my first attempt, but is there any reason not to add a connection for an AC adapter to that? If I were to do that, would it simply come off parallel from the battery connector? Or is there more to it than that?

[molsen]

the impedance or some other property in the battery is favorable somehow. sorry for the vagueness, but i remember reading it somewhere recently and haven't been able to find it again since.

but if you did want to go with the DC in plug, i'm pretty sure you just wire it where the battery connector would be.

the fuzz face would be a fun project i think, but the lack of tone control sort of bothers me. but i guess if you put an EQ after it, you can do what you need with the tone.

[HamsterSandwich]

Originally posted by molsen
the impedance or some other property in the battery is favorable somehow. sorry for the vagueness, but i remember reading it somewhere recently and haven't been able to find it again since.

but if you did want to go with the DC in plug, i'm pretty sure you just wire it where the battery connector would be.

the fuzz face would be a fun project i think, but the lack of tone control sort of bothers me. but i guess if you put an EQ after it, you can do what you need with the tone.
Thanks for the input (excuse the unintentional bad pun). So if I'm understanding you correctly, I could install an adapter connection INSTEAD of a 9V battery connector, but I can't do both without more wiring knowhow. So can someone tell me how the wiring would have to be modified to install both?

As for the lack of tone versatility, I'm looking at this as more of a learning exercise than a way to get a pedal I'll actually use. You know those puzzles you buy for toddlers that have only 3 or 4 giant thick plywood pieces? Well I'm the toddler, and you can consider this fuzz box my first "puzzle". After I get one under my belt, then I'll think more about useable features and such. Thanks again.

[dan-o-guitar]

Originally posted by HamsterSandwich

Thanks for the input (excuse the unintentional bad pun). So if I'm understanding you correctly, I could install an adapter connection INSTEAD of a 9V battery connector, but I can't do both without more wiring knowhow. So can someone tell me how the wiring would have to be modified to install both?

Great power and wiring information:
Adding a Power Jack to a Stompbox (http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=178&Itemid=200)

More fantastic wiring diagrams:
Many Bypass Switching Options (http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=172&Itemid=200)

Originally posted by HamsterSandwich

As for the lack of tone versatility, I'm looking at this as more of a learning exercise than a way to get a pedal I'll actually use. You know those puzzles you buy for toddlers that have only 3 or 4 giant thick plywood pieces? Well I'm the toddler, and you can consider this fuzz box my first "puzzle". After I get one under my belt, then I'll think more about useable features and such. Thanks again.

Very good approach. Get the basics down first with the Fuzz Face. If you want a tone control, move on to a Big Muff Pi clone (http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=27&Itemid=52) pedal--a really great fuzz with a tone control.

[MaxHills]

im about to get into the world of building my own effects... thinking about starting with a build your own clone ross compressor clone.. .but i like the A/B box desigin from thisi site... think i might just have to do that one too... looks easy enough

[HamsterSandwich]

Originally posted by dan-o-guitar
Very good approach. Get the basics down first with the Fuzz Face. If you want a tone control, move on to a Big Muff Pi clone pedal--a really great fuzz with a tone control.
Thanks for the helpful links. I may have to dive into one of these and see what happens.

[azerjaboomafar]

thanks ill definately put on of these together

[fluxpunk]

what type of capacitor would i use for fuzz?

i am hoping to get as many of the components as i can from this site oh and would it be o to use 35 volt capacitors?

http://www.crsupply.co.uk/shop/index.php?act=viewCat&catId=21