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Here's my story:

I play both guitar and bass. Started playing guitar in the third grade, picked up bass in high school because I wanted to be in the jazz band, but was late to auditions and they already had filled in the guitar spot. No one played bass so the jazz band director threw one in my lap, gave me a sheet of music and said "The spaces are A C E G. Give it a try." I was hooked, but guitar was still my main instrument.

Fast forward to college. I was playing guitar in a band with a bunch of buddies. Then one day my sophomore year ALL of my gear except my beloved '79 Kramer DMZ2000 was stolen: amp, all my pedals, cables, etc. So needless to say as a poor college student, I couldn't replace my things and relied on borrowing gear from friends to play gigs. Shortly after, my buddies and I decided to stop playing together since 2 members decided to not return to school, and I started playing bass for another band (www.myspace.com/dearfuture). Was with them for three years and rarely picked up a guitar in that time and spent all my money on bass gear.

I still play bass on a fairly consistent basis, but last year I got the itch to really start playing guitar again. Knowing that I couldn't afford to buy all the gear I wanted, I looked into building some of my own and stumbled upon the freestompboxes forum last year, and now I'm addicted.

So I guess you could say I'm a builder so that one day I can be a player again.  

very cool. how are you doing your graphics? it looks slick.

I'll second the Neutrino for an overdrive, very simple build. For a distortion, maybe check out the Krunkee? I haven't built it, but I think that original sounds good and the layout seems to be fairly simple.

that's freaking sweet! i live just south of Nashville, in Franklin. Middle TN is awesome, moved here 3 years ago, and don't plan on moving for a long time. best place in the country to live.

Tennessee?! that's awesome! whereabouts?

i second that one. i recently had a friend ask me if i could build him a Prescription Electronics RX Driver, which is just a CO. haven't had time to come up with my own layout, but i know brian could do a much better layout than me.

Welcome, CF,

We hang in the same places, and know the same guys, and they are good guys.

Moving from kits to boards is a learning experience, don't be shy about asking for help.

I may never need to learn how to etch if Brian and Barry keep up the pace!

i also want to point out how awesome Brian is to be including PCB artwork in the project files for those of us who like etching their own boards. my mind almost exploded when i saw he was starting to do that.  thanks for being awesome brian

DOH! think you're right. thanks! going switch them around and check that. thanks again!

Haven't had this happen before and not sure what to check. My pedal runs off of a battery no problem, but if I plug a power supply into it powers down. Not sure what is going on. Thoughts? Thanks!

i agree with buying in bulk when you can. what i've started doing is whenever i need a value resistor that i don't have or are running low on, i go to Jameco. they sells bags of 100 for $2.00. I figured $.02 isn't bad and now i don't have to buy them for a while.

i typically order from mouser, smallbear, jameco, pedalpartsplus, and futurlec (when i don't mind waiting a month for whatever i order). between those i can usually find anything i need at the right price. all of them except futurlec, and lately smallbear, have always shipped the day after i order them.

thank you so much for always answering my questions. you are a gentleman and a scholar!

One more question. I was hoping to lay this one out just like the original with the 4 pots along the top. My first thought that I would have to use the Alpha 9mm's. However, I'm having a hard time finding one that is 20kA. Any ideas as to where I can get them or maybe another part that I can use instead? I'm not even sure if the 9mm's are what to use to lay it out like that. Thanks!

thanks for the explanation! really appreciate. thanks for all you contribute!

I was looking over the schematic and layout for the Pyledriver and had a question. Doesn't the positive lead of C10 have to be connected to the power source as well? I just don't see that on the layout. Am I wrong, or just missing it (still a newb). Just confused. A friend of mine wants me to build him one of these so I was looking at your board. Thanks!