Noob pedal tinkerer just joined

[oldfuzzface]

Hello - old dude new to building pedals.
Since I retired and moved into a condo, I had to find a new hobbie that didnt make a lot of noise or dust so here I am.

Lots of good stuff on this site and hopefully you all will bear with my ignorance of some of this. Maybe there is a section dedicated to noobs ?

Anyway, I've been breadboarding and soldering with success, but really dont understand some part of the schematics. I suppose I would have to upload a schematic and point to the area in question, but if theres a link or links that would help me out please let me know.

In the meantime, thank you in advance and happy building!

 

[Dan M]

Welcome! @BuddytheReow has put A LOT of good info in the test kitchen forum. Especially since you are already breadboarding, you can jump right in to a lot of his circuit breakdowns.

 

[oldfuzzface]

Welcome! @BuddytheReow has put A LOT of good info in the test kitchen forum. Especially since you are already breadboarding, you can jump right in to a lot of his circuit breakdowns.

Thank you for that!
Maybe I should have clarified, I understand 'most' of the symbols, its connecting them that sometimes gets me confused. Especially the pots and switches.
I've been starting out with easy circuits and following along with a breadboard example. I have been replacing components and learning how each component change makes the circuit react.

The difficult part is, at this point in the game, I dont know the right questions to ask. lol I will search through the info you directed me to.

Thanks again!

 

[BuddytheReow]

Are you asking for a "correct" way to breadboard something? I think I mentioned this in a 'tips and tricks' section, but there is no right or wrong way to breadboard something. It either works or doesnt work. The way i layout my breadboard builds can and most likely is completely different from how someone else does it.

The way you're approaching tinkering by substituting different values is a great way to learn and I still do that too.

Schematics can be a bit tricky to read in terms of pots. Pin 2 is a no brainer, but more times than you think I reverse pins 1 and 3 in error when breadboarding based on a schematic. But, that's an easy fix.

 

[Locrian99]

Are you asking for a "correct" way to breadboard something? I think I mentioned this in a 'tips and tricks' section, but there is no right or wrong way to breadboard something. It either works or doesnt work. The way i layout my breadboard builds can and most likely is completely different from how someone else does it.

The way you're approaching tinkering by substituting different values is a great way to learn and I still do that too.

Schematics can be a bit tricky to read in terms of pots. Pin 2 is a no brainer, but more times than you think I reverse pins 1 and 3 in error when breadboarding based on a schematic. But, that's an easy fix.

I really like using trim pots for breadboarding for cleanliness and simplicity but I think as buddy has mentioned you have to have a screwdriver handy.

 

[cdwillis]

Welcome to the forum. Somebody already mentioned Buddy's breadboard posts. I'll add that Smallbear Electronics has a decent beginner breadboard article too: http://diy.smallbearelec.com/HowTos/BreadboardSiFF/BreadboardSiFF.htm

 

[Fingolfen]

I can't add much - but welcome!

 

[Feral Feline]

Bienvenu!

In addition to the tips-sources already mentioned, Beavis Audio also has some great beginner tips including on breadboarding and AionFX has some good info on parts sourcing.

 

[BuddytheReow]

Bienvenu!

In addition to the tips-sources already mentioned, Beavis Audio also has some great beginner tips including on breadboarding and AionFX has some good info on parts sourcing.

+1 to Beavis Audio

beavis audio research

 

[oldfuzzface]

+1 to Beavis Audio

beavis audio research

Yes, thank you. your guides are helpful! And thanks to all of you that posted !

I have been using Beavis Audio as a guide and built the FuzzFace. Sounds great after I swapped out a few components and biased it.

And yes - regarding the pot wiring, but also the input/output jacks. Thats what was giving me the most problems. The input/output jacks and volume pots do not show how to wire on the schematics, or are they? lol

I also haven't built a pedal yet with a tone pot, that should be interesting.

Regarding the fuzz face schematic. If the diagram of the breadboard showing the pots wired did not exist, I dont think I would have ever figured it out.

http://beavisaudio.com/beavisboard/projects/bbp_FuzzFace_Rev1_1.pdf

Thanks again!

 

[KR Sound]

Welcome. I just started back this summer after a 20-some-year hiatus. The wealth of information and cool people here is astounding.