Wannabe electronics geek

[snuffy]

I'm interested in learning how to build effects pedals and the like (maybe amps and stuff someday).
I'd like to start by building a fuzz pedal. But I don't want to build one of those kits with all the parts and instructions. I want to UNDERSTAND how they work. I want to get the parts from wherever and build MY OWN fuzz. Y'know?
I've tried looking stuff up online, and I always find these schematics that I can't understand for the life of me.
Where can I find the information "for dummies" that will help me get started on understanding these sorts of things?
Thank you all for your time.

[geraldfryjr]

Iused to build all of my own fuzz devices and you can still get suitable parts from radio shack although their prices are quite a bit higher than mailorder.
I started my original design using the MXR distortion+ schematic and built one that was quieter and better sounding than the $90+ costing unit of the day I have a few links loaded with schematics and I will search them up for you.

jer

[snuffy]

Thanks, Jer, but my problem is I don't understand the schematics...
I wanna know where you guys learn these things from.

[geraldfryjr]

These should get you started if there is anything in particular that you are looking for just ask and I will do my best to help you find it!

jer


Blue Guitar Schematics

Guitar Effects Pedals, Schematics, Stompboxes & Electronic Projects

Guitar Effects Pedals, Schematics, Stompboxes & Electronic Projects

Free Schematics Schematic Diagrams

http://diystompboxes.com/pedals/schematics.html

[geraldfryjr]

I mostly learned from books that radio shack used to carry.
Now with the wonderful advent of the internet there are several good tutorial sights available, I use google alot!
I will find some good teaching links aswell.


jer

[geraldfryjr]

Here are a few good ones,

Learning Electronics : Free Electric Circuits Textbooks

Learn About Electronics - Home

Learn About Electronics - Home

I started with a few different versions of these aswell,
Electronics Learning Lab - RadioShack.com

Make: Online | Jeri Ellsworth shares the secret to learning electronics

This one should help,
Electronics Learning-Resources on the WWW


and there are much much more than these. jer

[snuffy]

Jer, you are the man.

[geraldfryjr]

I am glad that you will find this info useful to you as it really inspires me to help people learn and to take on the world of DIY Electronics as I did when I was younger.

It seems that it is not as prevalent nowdays as it used to be when I started learning in the 70's but not impossible thanks to the internet.
I sure wish I had such tools when I first started as it would have been a whole lot faster and easier process!

The coolest thing that you will find as you start learning and become fluent with the terms and functions is that there are several good simulators available (free) aswell to aid you with your design without spending a small fortune in cash and time to find out if it will work or not.
Not to mention the cost of discourgement when it doesn't as this was my biggest downfall but I kept pushing on until I got it right!

Such tools were not readily availible until the last 15 or 20 years which may seem like a long time ago but it really isn't.


jer

[danielwrankin]

Thank you very much, this is exactly the kind of info I'm looking for as well. I'm pretty much completely ignorant of electronics, too, but I'm looking into recording some music and I really like the idea of building my own gear/fixing and modifying old equipment. In this day and age of everything being ready-made for the consumer, and electronic-schematic is intimidating to say the least!

[geraldfryjr]

Yep, That is how I started out even though I now have the ready made stuff now.
You can DIY some really High Quality equipment if you don't mind doing the labor and still save a few bucks while being able to say "I Made that and it Sounds Great" and be able to make it look like you want it too aswell!!!

Keep on DIYing DIYer's ! jer