Sorry for leaving out the info about 'the last 3 steps!'
The directions start with a nice general overview of what each component is and what it does: This is a resistor, it limits current; this is a capacitor, it blocks DC and this type is directional, etc. They even give some good tips how to solder. It started off as a 5+ star kit.
The last few steps: the LED shroud had the plastic insert already stuck inside, so it was brutal trying to get it out and I damaged it a little. Then they have you solder in the LED, but the hole in the case is so far away from the location on the board that it's not the easiest thing in the world to line up. When you solder the DC jack, they have a description for "Tip, Ring, and Sleeve" but then use the word 'shield' in the instructions. They also tell you to orient the jacks a certain way, but they don't tell you why. Earlier in the build they have you cut a bunch of pieces of wire - no problem there, but there's literally not a mm of extra length, so when I cut all my 2" pieces at maybe 2-1/8", I was short by almost 1/2" for the 4" pieces. The 4" is more critical than the 2". In other words, the last thing to solder is the jack and my wires were JUST BARELY long enough to make it. Last, I got the pre-finished box, and the holes weren't big enough to fit the jacks. It was simple enough to sand, but I would have preferred not to be making metal shavings with all the components installed. Granted common sense would say to check that things fit first, but being a kit for beginners they could have had a comment about this in the introduction. I took it for granted based on this being advertised for 'beginners' and all the stellar reviews and didn't check.
Everything went together well and I really like the pedal. I would absolutely recommend it (looks like I was lucky - it's new and is now out of stock) and I think it's a great first kit, but the last couple of steps were a bit fiddly and could be improved upon.
Now, I know that the 'shield' goes to the 'sleeve' and common sense told me I had to spin the jacks so they wouldn't ground against the case.
Last edited by Joe Garfield; 22-09-2020 at 04:46 AM.
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