Andy 40's DIY FX Pedals

Hi guys,

I bought two DIY FX Pedal kits as a bit of a comparison for a newbie like me.

1. The 10 min dirt and boost from Paul at diyguitarpedals.com.au
Link Here: http://www.diyguitarpedals.com.au/sh...products_id=35

2. The DIY Compressor Guitar Effect Pedal from protaitone1012 a Chinese supplier on Ebay
Link here: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Build-you...item1a171e7e8d

I should say its not really a comparison as there was no way I could have built the compressor without watching heaps of Paul's videos and doing the 10 min dirt and boost first.

The 10 min dirt and boost only had to come from Vic and got here in about a week or so.

I bought as many of the kit components as I could from Paul and it cost about $27. Not bad at all. The parts supplied are pretty good quality as well eg Germanium diodes and the PCB has almost idiot proof wide solder rings for each of the components.

This is how it came, with a personal hand signed note from Paul.

Attachment 14729

I should note at the outset that Paul (at the moment) doesn't supply the enclosures for the pedals nor the foot switches but both of these can be picked up from Jaycar or elsewhere online.

The DIY Compressor Guitar Effect Pedal got here in about 4 weeks and the shipping from China was free (or included in the price) which was $27.99.

In contrast, everything comes with the kit, the pre-drilled and painted enclosure, foot switches and everything. However, as you would expect its all Chinese parts.

This is how it came.
Attachment 14730

A couple of points to note:-

• The dirt and boost is a lot simpler
• Not only do you get comprehensive instructions but Paul has put up an idiot proof step by step video
• The Compressor is a lot more complicated
• if any of the parts were missing from the compressor, I would have to wait to get them from China as opposed to Victoria
• There is no way I could have understood what to do if I didn't use the Jaycar "Short circuits" book and a couple of kits to practice

Luckily there was no parts missing and I pretty much understood what was going on.....so far.

The 10 Min Dirt and Boost PCB
Attachment 14731 (had to get my glasses out)

The Compressor PCB and enclosure (its tight!)
Attachment 14732

I finished the 10 min Dirt and Boost in about 30 mins (I am a newbie) and wired it up with alligator clips. Works pretty well with the Fender Champion!

Attachment 14733

I've got an enclosure from Jaycar about a 1590B size and just need to get a foot switch (I didn't realise one didn't come with the kit till today).

This is as far as I got with the compressor today in about an 1hour - 1 1/2 hours.

Attachment 14734

More to come:cool:

Good stuff Andy40, the circuit boards look nice and neat, if possible you should do some audio demos of the two pedals in action.

Watching with interest Andy, now that I have a good soldering station.

very interesting, do you have the choice of 9v battery and transformer power?

you can buy the 9v socket from Jaycar and put it in place of the battery leads, that's what I did with Doc's Fuzz.