DIY guitar pedals

Music is a primeval force guiding its creators to ancient places. Share stories, compare equipment, join bands, get feedback.
User avatar
vO)))id
Metal God
Posts: 12201
Joined: 13 Apr 2009, 14:44

DIY guitar pedals

Post by vO)))id »

I’ve been thinking about getting into building some myself and I am going to start getting things together.

My knowledge of electronics isn’t much.

Anyone here experienced with such?

I’ve found some websites with kits, schematics and tips. Should be a lot of fun :idea:

Poor man’s outboard gear :xx:
User avatar
Lavabug
Metal God
Posts: 7659
Joined: 17 Apr 2009, 16:15
Location: An ocean of filth.

Re: DIY guitar pedals

Post by Lavabug »

I've done some half-assed builds. Currently using a diy channel switcher. :P Been procrastinating a build of a rangemaster clone (the thing tony iommi and kk downing/tipton used to boost amps on all the 70's records). Ultimately haven't built anything more complicated cause I haven't had the need. Silicon fuzzes and booster pedals are notoriously easy. There are several <10 parts count schematics out there.

Kits are the way to go for a total beginner if you don't know how/where to buy electronic parts and how to look for the right types and such (tayda is the best site for individual parts), and many freely available schematics only give you general ideas of what parts could work, best to buy a kit with tried-and-true values for all the parts.

The amount of electronics you need to know is relatively small, and soldering technique isn't awfully hard to learn if you have a temperature controlled iron. Much like cooking, you don't need to know all the science underneath and still be good at it, but it really helps if you have an understanding of kirchoff's laws and how a transistor works, because most of the famous beginner boost/fuzz circuits are something comparable to exercises in an analog electronics class in my experience. Basically it's only marginally harder than changing the pickups/wiring on a guitar.

One word of advice is if you get kits, get PCB kits. Breadboard/veroboard is harder to learn on. If you do go with vero use lots of space and don't worry about getting the circuit to fit in a small enclosure, bunching parts together as a beginner is a quick way to get stuff shorting out together if your soldering technique isn't great. Always use a hot iron (above 400 F) and apply heat for the shortest amount of time possible to avoid damaging parts when soldering.

There are a number of proco rat kits available, you should try one of those. :o
User avatar
vO)))id
Metal God
Posts: 12201
Joined: 13 Apr 2009, 14:44

Re: DIY guitar pedals

Post by vO)))id »

Yeah I’ve seen the proco rats (rodents) kits. Cool stuff. I’ve found a dutch site with a webshop that sells kits. I’m gonna start with those. Simple fuzz pedals.
User avatar
zim
Zim(a)
Posts: 26223
Joined: 14 Apr 2009, 02:36
Location: couch

Re: DIY guitar pedals

Post by zim »

I've been building my own midi controller board with an Arduino for my axe fx, not an actual pedal but still pretty cool
User avatar
zim
Zim(a)
Posts: 26223
Joined: 14 Apr 2009, 02:36
Location: couch

Re: DIY guitar pedals

Post by zim »

some pics of my project, it's super janky and messy but it's just something i've been poking at when i get bored. everything 'works' but i have to rebuild the midi circuits on pcb and finish up the programming.

it's actually not that complicated. sending midi is surprisingly easy but reading it requires special circuits (like an optoisolator) which makes it a little more annoying. the hardest part was programming some of the reading stuff from the axe fx

i'd really like to have a 3d printed enclosure which makes me not even want to finish this :homework: but i'll probably eventually finish this and just build another one. since it's just a midi controller i could set it up with a daw or something cool like that.
8CCYwG9.jpg
HNPf0Ge.jpg
i bought this stupid box thing at hobby lobby because i couldn't be bothered to build my own :redneck:
W9woXz8.jpg
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
User avatar
vO)))id
Metal God
Posts: 12201
Joined: 13 Apr 2009, 14:44

Re: DIY guitar pedals

Post by vO)))id »

How do you like the breadboards? Look simpler than a PCB :idea:
User avatar
zim
Zim(a)
Posts: 26223
Joined: 14 Apr 2009, 02:36
Location: couch

Re: DIY guitar pedals

Post by zim »

breadboards are the best way to go for prototyping, no soldering required. if you mess up then no materials lost. you can even buy these cool wires that don't require you to do any stripping and what not https://www.amazon.com/Smraza-Breadboar ... uino+wires

@lavabug, not sure what you mean by breadboarding being more difficult to learn on?

the process is something like this with a breadboard https://www.premierguitar.com/articles/ ... box?page=2

either way, just jump in and try something, it's a lot of fun. be aware of cheap beginner soldering kits though, they tend to burn out very quickly and stop working.
User avatar
vO)))id
Metal God
Posts: 12201
Joined: 13 Apr 2009, 14:44

Re: DIY guitar pedals

Post by vO)))id »

Nice. Well I found some nice and cheap kits for a simple fuzz pedal. When I have some more experience I’d love to make a rat clone. :idea:
User avatar
Lavabug
Metal God
Posts: 7659
Joined: 17 Apr 2009, 16:15
Location: An ocean of filth.

Re: DIY guitar pedals

Post by Lavabug »

sorry i meant to say veroboard, of course breadboarding is simpler.

I'm actually gonna try to build this little pedal-sized poweramp, it's essentially like a mooer babybomb, but it's ~$10 in parts and 60W.

I just bought mooer the day before I found that circuit. :redneck: I'm not sure if I like how it sounds yet, I think it colors the sound of my s&k vhd (ampeg vh140c) preamp pedal noticeably and doesn't sound as clear at loud volumes as my rack poweramp, so I think it's not gonna work well for my portable live rig. If this build ends up sounding clearer/flatter, I'll probably sell off the mooer.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
User avatar
vO)))id
Metal God
Posts: 12201
Joined: 13 Apr 2009, 14:44

Re: DIY guitar pedals

Post by vO)))id »

Started on a simple Germanium fuzz pedal and an Acapulco overdrive pedal, based on the poweramp of a Sunn Model T.

Will post pictures of progress soon. :santa:
User avatar
zim
Zim(a)
Posts: 26223
Joined: 14 Apr 2009, 02:36
Location: couch

Re: DIY guitar pedals

Post by zim »

I managed to crack the code with the axe fx, that was super challenging but I had issues with all of those buttons chaining together, I couldn't get it to work right. eventually learned how to do it but I'd have to start over at this point :homework:
User avatar
vO)))id
Metal God
Posts: 12201
Joined: 13 Apr 2009, 14:44

Re: DIY guitar pedals

Post by vO)))id »

Crack what code?
User avatar
zim
Zim(a)
Posts: 26223
Joined: 14 Apr 2009, 02:36
Location: couch

Re: DIY guitar pedals

Post by zim »

i can't remember exactly but there was some specific numeric hex id that was required to interface with the axe fx and it wasn't listed in the documentation, it was a lot of trial and error
User avatar
vO)))id
Metal God
Posts: 12201
Joined: 13 Apr 2009, 14:44

Re: DIY guitar pedals

Post by vO)))id »

First fuzz pcb done!
Now on to wiring and mounting.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
User avatar
vO)))id
Metal God
Posts: 12201
Joined: 13 Apr 2009, 14:44

Re: DIY guitar pedals

Post by vO)))id »

Done!!! Germanium/silicon fuzz that sounds pretty damn aggressive. Will do a demo soon.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
User avatar
vO)))id
Metal God
Posts: 12201
Joined: 13 Apr 2009, 14:44

Re: DIY guitar pedals

Post by vO)))id »

Ok this thing with my telecaster (has 2 humbuckers) on neck pickup and tone all the way down = instant kyuss/QOTSA riffing jizzfest :jizz:
User avatar
vO)))id
Metal God
Posts: 12201
Joined: 13 Apr 2009, 14:44

Re: DIY guitar pedals

Post by vO)))id »

The insides. Again,, very first time for me ever doing this kind of work.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
User avatar
zim
Zim(a)
Posts: 26223
Joined: 14 Apr 2009, 02:36
Location: couch

Re: DIY guitar pedals

Post by zim »

very nice, where is the custom artwork :redneck:

looks good inside
User avatar
vO)))id
Metal God
Posts: 12201
Joined: 13 Apr 2009, 14:44

Re: DIY guitar pedals

Post by vO)))id »

zim wrote:very nice, where is the custom artwork :redneck:

looks good inside
Thank you! Yeah I need to learn about artwork, paintjobs, transfers, etc. I really dig the transfer stuff.

The Acapulco Gold clone is up next. I really want to implement some Sunn O))) art on it.
User avatar
User
Metal God
Posts: 15370
Joined: 14 Aug 2014, 13:18
Location: Unknown

Re: DIY guitar pedals

Post by User »

well done man, looks great
more metal
User avatar
vO)))id
Metal God
Posts: 12201
Joined: 13 Apr 2009, 14:44

Re: DIY guitar pedals

Post by vO)))id »

Acapulco Gold clone done :cool:
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
User avatar
vO)))id
Metal God
Posts: 12201
Joined: 13 Apr 2009, 14:44

Re: DIY guitar pedals

Post by vO)))id »

Deep Blue Delay clone almost finished.
Wiring it up for testing then painting the enclosure and ship it out to a fellating lover. This is my first commissioned build. This one is a lot of fun to make as well :xx:
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
User avatar
User
Metal God
Posts: 15370
Joined: 14 Aug 2014, 13:18
Location: Unknown

Re: DIY guitar pedals

Post by User »

impressive!
more metal
User avatar
vO)))id
Metal God
Posts: 12201
Joined: 13 Apr 2009, 14:44

Re: DIY guitar pedals

Post by vO)))id »

Painted two enclosures this week.
Metallic black test for a ProCo RAT clone.
Metallic violet for a delay pedal.

The RAT will be in a different enclosure, more like the original.

I'll post a picture of the finished delay pedal this weekend.

Next pedal builds on the list:

- RAT
- Green Russian Big Muff Pi
- OpAmp Big Muff Pi (Smashing Pumpkins tone)
- Sunn Model T two channel preamp with EQ

:santa:
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
User avatar
zim
Zim(a)
Posts: 26223
Joined: 14 Apr 2009, 02:36
Location: couch

Re: DIY guitar pedals

Post by zim »

very cool. are you learning a lot about the electronic components and what not?

vahmpy pedal company when
User avatar
vO)))id
Metal God
Posts: 12201
Joined: 13 Apr 2009, 14:44

Re: DIY guitar pedals

Post by vO)))id »

zim wrote:
02 Oct 2020, 22:58
very cool. are you learning a lot about the electronic components and what not?

vahmpy pedal company when
Thanks!

For sure. Learning a lot while I build but studied all the basic electrotech stuff before I started the first one.
It's really a lot of fun getting to understand these components how pedals and amps are built. It always seemed like magic to me but everything is built by humans so why not learn it myself.

https://instagram.com/fuzzrodahpedals?i ... x798hxyo69
User avatar
zim
Zim(a)
Posts: 26223
Joined: 14 Apr 2009, 02:36
Location: couch

Re: DIY guitar pedals

Post by zim »

i've been wanting to build an amplifier, would love to get around that
User avatar
vO)))id
Metal God
Posts: 12201
Joined: 13 Apr 2009, 14:44

Re: DIY guitar pedals

Post by vO)))id »

zim wrote:
02 Oct 2020, 23:31
i've been wanting to build an amplifier, would love to get around that
There are great kits for amps as well. Check GuitarPCB for USA based. All Euro based DIY'ers get their stuff from Musikding.
User avatar
M.Bison
Ancient One
Posts: 2311
Joined: 10 May 2009, 02:46
Location: Scumbria

Re: DIY guitar pedals

Post by M.Bison »

I'll buy a RAT vahmpy :santa: how much?
User avatar
vO)))id
Metal God
Posts: 12201
Joined: 13 Apr 2009, 14:44

Re: DIY guitar pedals

Post by vO)))id »

M.Bison wrote:
03 Oct 2020, 01:20
I'll buy a RAT vahmpy :santa: how much?
That's cool!

But seeing the original sells new for just 77 Euros I have no idea what to ask for it. Maybe about the same plus shipping.

Where do you live?
User avatar
M.Bison
Ancient One
Posts: 2311
Joined: 10 May 2009, 02:46
Location: Scumbria

Re: DIY guitar pedals

Post by M.Bison »

Yeah i was gonna pick a RAT2 up, but having a unique DIY built one is much cooler. Are you using the LM308 chip?

I'm in the UK
User avatar
vO)))id
Metal God
Posts: 12201
Joined: 13 Apr 2009, 14:44

Re: DIY guitar pedals

Post by vO)))id »

M.Bison wrote:
03 Oct 2020, 14:40
Yeah i was gonna pick a RAT2 up, but having a unique DIY built one is much cooler. Are you using the LM308 chip?

I'm in the UK
The RAT kits I order don't come with the LM308 chip but I could get it from ebay. I use heatsinks for all the opamps so replacement is easily done.

PM me if you have any wishes for enclosure type, colours and knobs, led colour, etc.

Just ordered 2 LM308 chips btw. I'm building a Rat for myself as well anyways.
User avatar
vO)))id
Metal God
Posts: 12201
Joined: 13 Apr 2009, 14:44

Re: DIY guitar pedals

Post by vO)))id »

Finished the delay pedal today.
That white led is pretty damn bright!
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
User avatar
vO)))id
Metal God
Posts: 12201
Joined: 13 Apr 2009, 14:44

Re: DIY guitar pedals

Post by vO)))id »

Missing one 4,7 uF elko capacitor and then the pcb will be done.
Also waiting on the enclosure.

But progress so far for M. Bison's RAT clone. :santa:
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
User avatar
vO)))id
Metal God
Posts: 12201
Joined: 13 Apr 2009, 14:44

Re: DIY guitar pedals

Post by vO)))id »

Since I'm also waiting on the enclosure for the RAT, I figured to start with the Big Muff Pi OpAmp pedal. It's THE Smashing Pumpkins sound of the 90's.

And for the soldering nerds, a picture of their bottoms.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
User avatar
vO)))id
Metal God
Posts: 12201
Joined: 13 Apr 2009, 14:44

Re: DIY guitar pedals

Post by vO)))id »

RAT in progress for herr M. Bison :santa:
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
User avatar
vO)))id
Metal God
Posts: 12201
Joined: 13 Apr 2009, 14:44

Re: DIY guitar pedals

Post by vO)))id »

And done!

Testing in a little bit.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
User avatar
happiness and harmony
Postwhore
Posts: 77185
Joined: 18 Apr 2009, 07:36

Re: DIY guitar pedals

Post by happiness and harmony »

neat :greenie:
Skinfection wrote:
21 Oct 2020, 20:08
super Jesus people
User avatar
vO)))id
Metal God
Posts: 12201
Joined: 13 Apr 2009, 14:44

Re: DIY guitar pedals

Post by vO)))id »

My own "Black Nebula" ProCo RAT clone done.

Currently with the LM308 opamp but I prefer the OP07, which is tighter and more in your face.

Proud of this one and I'm keeping it for myself!

Going to build 2 more, a white one for my uncle and an all metallic-look one for Uni777 :rocker:
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
User avatar
M.Bison
Ancient One
Posts: 2311
Joined: 10 May 2009, 02:46
Location: Scumbria

Re: DIY guitar pedals

Post by M.Bison »

Rat has arrived and I got some time to jam on it for a bit tonight... Sounds awesome through the Marshall. Very versatile, from bluesy breakup to all out doomy fuzz. The character of the distortion really changes with a boost tightening it up too.

Great job otsx :xx:

I've 'designed' some artwork for it. When I get chance I'll polish it up and see if I can get it stuck on.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
User avatar
vO)))id
Metal God
Posts: 12201
Joined: 13 Apr 2009, 14:44

Re: DIY guitar pedals

Post by vO)))id »

Awesome man! Very happy you like the pedal :xx:

Did you check the inside/battery?
User avatar
M.Bison
Ancient One
Posts: 2311
Joined: 10 May 2009, 02:46
Location: Scumbria

Re: DIY guitar pedals

Post by M.Bison »

Ostx wrote:
07 Dec 2020, 05:03
Awesome man! Very happy you like the pedal :xx:

Did you check the inside/battery?
:redneck: That's awesome! Thanks :santa:
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
User avatar
vO)))id
Metal God
Posts: 12201
Joined: 13 Apr 2009, 14:44

Re: DIY guitar pedals

Post by vO)))id »

IMG_20201215_151603_676.jpg
20201215_155219.jpg
IMG-20201215-WA0002.jpeg

This is Uni777's RAT clone done.
Full Metal Jacket :bang:
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
User avatar
Uni777
Ancient One
Posts: 1429
Joined: 17 Apr 2009, 02:23
Location: Sumerland

Re: DIY guitar pedals

Post by Uni777 »

Nice work man.
Looks killer.
User avatar
vO)))id
Metal God
Posts: 12201
Joined: 13 Apr 2009, 14:44

Re: DIY guitar pedals

Post by vO)))id »

So this one is done. Best overdrive I ever had. :thingy:

Friedman BE-OD so the layout is:

BASS - TREBLE - PRESENCE
VOLUME - GAIN - TIGHT


Tight being a hi-pass filter to tighten up the low end.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
User avatar
Svartmetall
Member
Posts: 349
Joined: 16 Apr 2009, 05:04

Re: DIY guitar pedals

Post by Svartmetall »

:xx:
User avatar
M.Bison
Ancient One
Posts: 2311
Joined: 10 May 2009, 02:46
Location: Scumbria

Re: DIY guitar pedals

Post by M.Bison »

Awesome :xx:
User avatar
vO)))id
Metal God
Posts: 12201
Joined: 13 Apr 2009, 14:44

Re: DIY guitar pedals

Post by vO)))id »

My latest project I just finished today.
HM2 clone a.k.a. The Swedish Chainsaw Sound! :bang:
What a nasty little thing.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
User avatar
zim
Zim(a)
Posts: 26223
Joined: 14 Apr 2009, 02:36
Location: couch

Re: DIY guitar pedals

Post by zim »

killing it vahmpy :xx: that's cool as fuck
User avatar
slugbait
Dope Priest
Posts: 716
Joined: 16 Apr 2009, 11:02
Location: Tejas

Re: DIY guitar pedals

Post by slugbait »

:xx::::
Post Reply