ilovefuzz.com

So, I'm about to embark on my first BYOC build. I wanted to see if any veterans out there had any advice for the new guy when it comes to building these tiny things.
I've got a good amount of electronics experience with building/repairing amps, but I've never tried anything with such small components.
Thanks for any advice, and wish me luck!

Start with a Bazz Fuss it has 5 components...

http://www.forrestwhitesides.com/node/42

I've already got my kit. It's their take on the Boss SG-1. Seemed like a totally sensible first build, right? ha

My advice is to test as you go. Don't build the whole thing and box it up before being sure it works. Test it using alligator clips, a cable, and a tested 9V battery before you connect the jacks, switch, or LED. Once it works, add the jacks, switch, and LED, and test it again. Once it works, put it in the enclosure, and test it again.

There are just too many things that can go wrong when doing your first build. Tackling each portion of the build in stages with testing in between might take a little bit longer, but you are much more likely to have success.

Good luck!

Mike

Mike wrote:My advice is to test as you go. Don't build the whole thing and box it up before being sure it works. Test it using alligator clips, a cable, and a tested 9V battery before you connect the jacks, switch, or LED. Once it works, add the jacks, switch, and LED, and test it again. Once it works, put it in the enclosure, and test it again.

Yeah definitely this. It's something I never do and so when I try to turn stuff I built on for the first time and it inevitably doesn't work, I don't have a clue what the problem was because I hadn't checked while doing it!

Definitely some good advice. Just realized I don't have my alligators here...Off to get a new pair!

Dude I got the BYOC starter pack thing like 6 months ago cause I wanted to learn to solder to mod my guitar. I ended up getting the classic compressor and the octave fuzz. The comp is pretty good. Sounds just like every other comp Ive tried. And the octave fuzz is kinda cool but real harsh. But i think that's just octave fuzz for ya.

When I got them, I started with the confidence booster that came with the kit and finally got it to work after like 3 days of messing with it. Then I went to town on the others and finished them both in a day or two. The fuzz is a little iffy in terms of reliability but I've had them on my board since then. But I'm getting a dyna comp in the near future just cause its the same thing but smaller and the fuzz is good just to be noisy with

This reminds me to get up on some first time building.

I layed out and labeled all the parts before starting either of my builds (BYOC Divided Octave and Envelope Filter). I highly recommend that, as it'll keep you organized and on task.

I didn't do any testing whilst I soldered, and both my pedals worked fine the first time. But I think I got lucky. Although, I was very careful and methodical (see above).

General guitar gadgets has a nice variety of kits that are really fairly simple to build.

vrom wrote:I layed out and labeled all the parts before starting either of my builds (BYOC Divided Octave and Envelope Filter). I highly recommend that, as it'll keep you organized and on task.

I didn't do any testing whilst I soldered, and both my pedals worked fine the first time. But I think I got lucky. Although, I was very careful and methodical (see above).

This. I'm way too ocd to not lay out and label everything in the pack before building. You get a feel for what all you're working with that way, too.