2 Part Question Time!

[Guybrush]

Hey all

I've got a couple of semi-related questions so thought I'd stick them in one post.

1. Please could suggest some builds with very low part counts? I'm trying to get a friend into DIY and think a couple of simple circuits would be ideal.

2. Please could someone suggest some simple vero builds? This is for me. I've got some small pieces of vero and want to give it a try bit I'm not sure where to start.

All suggetions greatly welcomed!

Cheers

[flanagan0718]

For the low part count I would go with the Madbeans Cupcake!
For the Vero I would Go with a boost. Probably the LPB2 or the AMZ mini boost. Those are easy and low parts as well.

[jkokura]

1. Any boost will do likely. I don't really go for the SHO anymore, which is why I released the Wakizashi and Beauty Booster. Both are great, as are the various options available from Brian, Josh and Thomas.

2. I don't build with Vero, so I have no recommendations. Sorry, wish I did.

Jacob

[muddyfox]

Try these for a low part count builds. I'm not saying they are great, just that they are low part count.

http://tagboardeffects.blogspot.com/2013/03/kendrick-buffalo-pfuz.html
http://tagboardeffects.blogspot.com/2013/02/zvex-super-hard-on-compact-layout.html
http://tagboardeffects.blogspot.com/2014/01/lotus-pedals-thdn.html
http://tagboardeffects.blogspot.com/2014/02/emerson-custom-guitars-paramount.html

[pryde]

For vero definitely build an AMZ boost, very simple and you will have a great clean boost to stick in front of pretty much any dirt box you end up building.

[m-Kresol]

The wooly mammoth fuzz fulfills both criteria. I will build it for a friend and try my first vero with that project.

[midwayfair]

For number 1, first ask your friend what effects they like, and figure out what they might think is useful. Everyone suggests a boost for a first build, but not everyone has a use for a boost and he'd be more excited about continuing to build things if he got something useful. Once you know what he's into, it can be easier to find the right project for him to start with. Parts count isn't everything.

For first projects, these are the better criteria:
1) Can they tinker around after it's built? Even just something where socketting a transistor is useful. An electra distortion is only a couple of extra parts compared to your average transistor booster, but you can play around with diodes as well as the transistor. Do the diodes really add complexity worth speaking of?
2) Is it easy to troubleshoot? See, some boosts are really easy to build, like the SHO, but sometimes things can go wrong that will be hard to diagnose. A MOSFET booster of any kind runs the risk of static discharge blowing up the transistor, which can be hard to find for a new builder.

It also might be worth picking a project that requires the use of a digital multimeter, to drive home the fact that it's an essential tool in pedal building at any level. Far too often I see people post a tech help thread and they can't give voltages because they don't have a multimeter. I feel like this is someone saying they're having trouble making coq au vin but then telling me they don't have any pots and pans! It's something that should be bought before a first PCB, heck before a soldering iron (since it's also needed for breadboarding). I wish I'd had someone tell me this before I started building, I could have saved my first couple attempts.

[Guybrush]

Cheers for all the replies and advice. Greatly appreciated!

Jon, I am/was guilty of asking for help with a dead circuit without first learning how to use my DMM (still haven't fully got to grips with it to be honest). I wish I'd have learnt a bit more about it before diving into my first builds!

Thanks again guys!

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

[GermanCdn]

For a low parts count project (non booster), go for Jacob's Fuzzy Muff, there's piles of mods you can do with it, and it covers a lot of ground between overdrive and fuzz.  For comp, go for Josh's Bearhug.  For distortion, go for Brian's Runt.  All of those are low parts count, common (i.e. inexpensive) parts, and deliver a lot of bang for the buck.

As far as vero goes, if you want to try something a little different, go for the Hearthrob trem, it's on tagboard.  It's a really nice trem, and fairly easy to build.  Or, if you want to never, ever try vero again, go for a vero of the Echobase, and see how much you hate vero by the end (moral of the story - vero delays are a huge PITA).