Cheers Marcel / Doc, no idea what the said 'glaring failure is'

My Dad was an electrician and i have 2 older brothers in W.A. one being an ex Navy electronics technician and the other a highly qualified sparky. unfortunately I dont get to utilize their skills as they both work heavy shifts in the mining industry and have little spare time.
They all used to chat electronics and engage in dozens of Dick smith projects at the dinner table, which at the time bored me to tears so I chose an alternate career beginning as an apprentice painter. Now aged 45 and still in the paint industry, i have a growing interest in the guitar-amp related electronics area and wish i paid more attention at the dinner table.
I will look into some jaycar projects as you suggest. Know of any projects that serve as usefull tools for future projects , (i dunno, like a voltage meter or somthing?)

cheers
Guv