Help with "Sprout" for a Noob

themachinerages · December 22, 2011, 11:31:21 PM

Hey guys,

I'm totally new to building and I am very confused. I want to try the Sprout because it seems to be simple for a beginner. I am looking at the part list and I am lost. I brought it to my local Radio Shack and they were no help at all.

Can someone please tell me exactly where/what I need to buy? I don't want to buy any wrong parts by mistake. If you could include links to buy the parts online, that would be great. Thank you!

I am also confused about the PCB. Do I have to buy one made for the Sprout or any PCB? I am very confused.

sgmezei · December 23, 2011, 01:11:23 AM

You are going to want to purchase a sprout PCB from madbean.
As for parts, I recommend Small Bear because you will be able to get everything from one place. You can also price out Mammoth electronics for your parts.

There are some vendors under the links page.

Have you read through the Build Doc? It has a parts list for all the components needed.

Then, ask away. Everyone here is friendly.
There is also a beginners info section on the main forum page.

themachinerages · December 23, 2011, 01:25:52 AM

I don't see where I can purchase the PCB. For some pedals it says "Order" next to them, but Sprout says "DIY Project".

For the parts, should I look at the part list on the first page which seems general, or the diagram on the second page that lists "R1 - 1M, R2 - 150K, R3 - 10K, etc.

What site should I use to get the 1590A enclosure? Small Bear doesn't seem to sell it.

Thanks!

jkokura · December 23, 2011, 02:04:30 AM

Welcome to the forum! Glad to have you, and also hope you really enjoy building.

A DIY project indicates that you can't buy the PCB from Madbean any longer. However, there is a forum member named Haberdasher that currently sells many of the DIY project PCB's with Madbean's permission.

As for your other questions:

Smallbear sells an alternative 1590A - same size, different manufacturer http://www.smallbearelec.com/Detail.bok?no=49

The Part list is also known as a "bill of materials" or BOM. On page 2 there is a list set up in a spread sheet. The parts on that list are what's needed to populate the PCB. You will need other parts beside those on that list to finish and create a working pedal. Pay careful attention to the values you need, and before ordering be sure you know what you're ordering - it's easy to order the wrong parts assuming you are getting the correct ones.

It seems to me like you need to do some more research and learning before you're able to start building. Take some time and read here, or ask as many questions as you need. I think you should do that BEFORE you order, so that you're fully prepared.

Jacob

themachinerages · December 23, 2011, 02:25:32 AM

Thanks for the great response. How do I know what else I'll need that's not listed?

jkokura · December 23, 2011, 02:37:08 AM

That's where your research comes into play. I'll get you started though - you'll obviously need a switch, and jacks.

jacob

themachinerages · December 23, 2011, 07:20:51 AM

Would it be better for me to start with a kit to get familiar with the components and process? Then work my way to a DIY project?

themachinerages · December 23, 2011, 07:23:56 AM

Actually, I was looking at kits on BYOC and they are SO expensive

jkokura · December 23, 2011, 07:27:15 AM

Yes and no. One great feature of those kits is that they are relatively easy for most of the simple variety. However, many of the decisions have been made for you, like knob and jack layout and such. If you're interested in creating a unique pedal and want to use a specific layout, the BYOC kits aren't for you. If you're looking to learn, and don't mind being stuck with the parts and the features they provide you with, BYOC or GGG make great kits to learn from. I built 4 of them early on in my learning to build stage. I'm down to 2 left now.

Jacob

TNblueshawk · December 23, 2011, 04:29:00 PM

I'll give you my answer to this as someone who hangs at BYOC and who started there. For me I had ZERO experience. Didn't know what a resistor was from as apple. Dumb as a box of rocks if you will. I simply would not have been as successful without starting out with a kit that held my hand. I'm 100% certain of that.

While the kits may at first glance seem expensive, by the time you source, maybe make a mistake or two and have to reorder, pay for shipping at least once and "customize" your knobs etc... what you save is really minimal. Probably a dinner at Outback or something. But what you get in return is what? A working pedal you are proud of.

Having said all that, there are a ton of people on here who started here and were successful. The only way that works and I'm assuming you don't have any experience, is a helpful forum which is what this place is (BYOC is as well). So, if you have a set of hairy ones give this a whirl here at Bean's. People will help you out. Worst case is it doesn't work out of the gate and you have to troubleshoot, which by the way you can learn more doing that than the actual build it seems.

I would also suggest to hang out on a few of these fourms and just read, read read and jump in a thread if you are not following it. There is just a ton of knowledge you can gather up. Get orgainized and save some of what you read to as you will refer back to it.

Anyway, my 2uf's

sgmezei · December 23, 2011, 06:33:53 PM

FWIW

I started over at General Guitar Gadgets because their kits were less exspensive than BYOC. Having built both, they are both awesome. There is more documentation walking you through the process from BYOC. GGG offers the bill of materials and a picture of where you put everything.
I am not a member but I have heard the BYOC forum is great too.

Both have a sale on right now though too.

timbo_93631 · December 23, 2011, 07:06:12 PM

Mammoth has some kits based off of guitarpcb.com boards, but I don't know the level of support you can get for those. GGG and BYOC are both really good for beginners because of the build documentation you get, step by step etc.

themachinerages · December 23, 2011, 08:05:34 PM

Thnks guys! I'm going to check out the GGG kits and see if there's anything that interests me.

I think I definitely need the "hold my hand" approach for my first project. I'll continue to browse these forums and absorb as much as possible.

You have a great community here!

sgmezei · December 23, 2011, 10:01:49 PM

Yeah I totally forgot about the Mammoth kits. The boards are from Guitar pcb and they have a support forum.

snz728 · December 24, 2011, 03:54:55 AM

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Help with "Sprout" for a Noob

themachinerages

sgmezei

themachinerages

jkokura

themachinerages

jkokura

themachinerages

themachinerages

jkokura

TNblueshawk

sgmezei

timbo_93631

themachinerages

sgmezei

snz728