With this first blog post, I want to help alleviate the unease that people may have when attempting to get into this hobby for the first time.
• You don’t need to be an electronics wiz to successfully build your own pedals.
There are only a certain number of ways that components can be used in building pedals, so you’re highly likely to be using circuit designs that form the basic building blocks of pedal design. In fact, a lot of circuits are simply following the test circuits that component manufacturers came up with to test their devices. You can be a successful pedal builder and not have to ever come up with your own pedal design.
• Pedal kits are your friend!
I would be willing to bet that most pedal builders get their start by building kits put together by someone else. It’s an easy way to get all the parts needed, and it’s likely to be a circuit that works.
• The skills required to assemble pedals are minimal.
Good soldering technique is the main skill needed, and it’s possible to learn that from scratch in a few hours. Of course, in time, your technique will get better, but the basic concept is an easy one. Some knowledge of the components used is helpful so you know which part is which, but for the most part that’s also an easy task and familiarity gets much easier over time. Beyond that, the ability to follow directions, and the patience to complete the build can produce a working pedal!
• The tools required to assemble pedals are minimal.
A soldering iron and a few accessories are really all that’s needed to get started. Even an inexpensive iron will get the job done, but of course better tools make easier work. There are a few go-to tools used by pedal builders, but personal choice play a big part in the tools that will work for you. A later blog post will cover some of these tools, but an entire circuit can be made using only a soldering iron, solder, and a wire cutter.
There are many reasons to build your own effects pedal(s). With a little time, it’s possible to build a pedal of your own that rivals some found in stores. Buying your own components means that you can choose better parts and it’s likely to be much, much cheaper than buying a complete pedal and you get to customize its look. It’s also possible to build a copy of a pedal that’s either out of your price range and/or no longer made. And, possibly the best reason, you’ll have the satisfaction of owning something you built yourself.
Watch this space as future posts will focus on the specifics of pedal building.
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