So, what's working well at madbeanpedals? Are the projects satisfying? Are the documents thorough enough? What would you change? What don't you like, if anything?
I'd like to get some opinions on what's good and bad. Don't worry....I don't take constructive criticism personally. It's the only way things can change for the better!
Just to emphasize: you guys have the power to influence how things operate here. I take feedback seriously, and I'm always willing to make changes if it improves your experience with the site and the projects.
So, let 'er rip!
For the most part, I really have no complaints. The quality of your product is outstanding, and the layout of the documents is thorough and easy to follow. Perhaps the only thing I could suggest is take the universal wiring diagrams in the Tech section and move them to a more visible location, i.e. somewhere on the front page.
If anything, I would, with time allowing, of course, finish the madbean website, i.e. the learn and pedals sections. The learn section could be an extremely valuable resource for those who are trying their hand at DIY pedals for the first time; I know I was intimidated the first time around as well.
Other than that, though, I really have no complaints. I am extremely satisfied with madbean pcbs and the forum, and am glad I found this place.
Yeah, delete all of the "coming soon" links. You can always put them back in when you're ready.
For first-time visitors, I'd like the projects star to be a different colour, mainly to let them know where the meat of the site is. Some may click "pedals," see the coming soon screen then hit close window.
Builds I'd rename as photo gallery or something for the same reasons. People have a frighteningly short attention span sadly.
Documentation is amazing. I'd only add a note on any changes made to the original circuits and why you made them. It would pre-empt any "hey my friend has a xxxxxxxxx and mine sounds marginally different. WTF??!?!?" issues.
You could probably remove all the drilling template pdf pages and instead add a section of the site devoted entirely to such templates. THAT would be a kick-arse resource (I'm British...) and no mistake.
Finally, I'd advise against putting projected dates for any new releases or updates. I'd go for wide ranging and vague as opposed to "Feb 15th" or something. It must be fucking stressful on your end to impose strict deadlines, and it again gives potential customers a chance to have beef in the "Oy it's Feb 16th and there's no Knickerbocker boards available yet. WTF? You promiiiiiiiiiised!"
(you're free to use that name for any upcoming layout by the way ;) ;D )
There.
My twopenneth.
Sterling work though. I don't understand how you can make money at the price point you set, but I hope you make a fuckton.
Honestly the new build docs are amazing as far as describing how a circuit works (circuit analysis) and how controls work (I especially love this because I hate pedals that have stupid control names like (glass, or pinch, etc), possible mods, really awesome.
My only complaints lately are the projects with mojo parts layouts because I have a decently stocked bench with radial caps and 5mm box caps in most values but when I want to build a project with mojo parts like the rangemaster/snack shack/etc. I have to track down the mojo, most of the build reports I see people end up using box caps and radial electrolytics and bending the leads to fit. anytime there is a layout for mojo there should be links to a source to order the part that was designed to fit it, and maybe list the lead spacing... I know it could be measured but sometimes you order parts before you get your board... I do like the snack shack board where there are holes for mojo and 5mm caps.. stuff like that is cool.
I think hardest part for beginners is sourcing parts, and a lot of the questions on the forum are about parts selection. Maybe a section of the site that shows how to figure out what to order for a project for beginners.
as far as the layouts go they are the best around, especially the newer fabbed pcbs that are wider but shorter (new wolfshirt/boomstick) I like these shorter boards better than a squared board that leaves space on the sides because vertical space is always tight while you can go as wide as a 1590b and be fine. also for me personally I wouldn't care if you dropped the onboard CLR's and led switch pads because I don't use them.
I agree with Pandadandan, you should remove the unused icons of the main website.
The forum is awesome, the PCBs are flawless, the PDF are great!
The only complaint I have with them is the jack and DC jack pics (the old one for the DC jack, it's ok on the lasts PDF). They litterally don't talk to a noob.
I enjoyed the holliday PIFs, such a great idea.
Keep on the good work! This is definitively a place I'll visit dayly ! :D
sorry for my english
Okay, this information is terrific. Here's what I gathered:
Clean the website up, and populate or remove unused stuff.
Put some actual tutorials on the site.
Change Builds to Photo Gallery.
Notate any changes or mods I make to the designs in the documentation.
Put the drilling templates on the site rather than in the documents.
Don't put strict deadlines on the new Kinkerbocker releases (LOL).
Layouts for mojo parts only can be frustrating.
Add some helpful info on part sourcing.
Maybe drop the onboard LED stuff.
Make the wiring diagrams more illustrative in terms of jacks, etc.I agree with pretty much everything here. The website has been left half-done for too long. The lack of pages with content is unprofessional and it does bother me. I've held off on devoting time to it mainly because I want to completely re-design the site and streamline it. I'd like to create an actual store front and make that the home page. A new store front would also allow me to offer other things besides PCBs, like maybe some parts or rarities, etc. I also want to add a "customer/user" area where people can put info about themselves or pictures of their work. Also, I really want to do a monthly "featured builder" on the site. Much of the work here is outstanding and it's a shame for it to be found only in the forum.
The lack of tutorials is definitely very present in my mind. I have wanted to do a complete and thorough tutorial on making/building pedals for quite some time, with HD video and all that. So, maybe it is time to prioritize that for this Spring.
I definitely do want to bring all the documentation into the current form, and I absolutely will. I can change the jacks illustration easy enough.
I'll fix up the layouts for some of the mojo oriented boards so that standard spaced caps can be used. I have done this for a few, but not all.
Lastly, on the release dates. I try to put at least some kind of info there because about 1/4 of the emails I get are "when will such and such be ready". It doesn't bother me, but I guess that's my way of trying to preempt some of those emails.
Quote
Sterling work though. I don't understand how you can make money at the price point you set, but I hope you make a fuckton.
Everyone in my immediate family/friends says I need to charge more, ha ha. But, I'm doing all right. Most of what I made last year went right back into MBP in one way or another. I have increased prices on a couple of occasions, but they are usually accompanied by reductions to other PCBs at the same time.
Thanks again guys. This is very helpful.
But, this thread isn't over, so please anyone else chime in. I can take it!
The "build of the month" is such a great idea!
Making tutorials with vids is a huge amount of work, but it's worth the effort!
There will be less noob tech help posts then... And it's sometimes frustrating to gather one information at a time after searching various forums, and reading tons of topics and replies!
A building bible with minimal tech information on each component would be the holy graal of the diy hobyist ::)
I love this site. I think your price point is right on! I think if you lower the price it would be difficult for you to keep the gig running and if you raise it you'd get more people etching the layouts instead (maybe? I for one hate etching and drilling them). I really love the fabbed version pcb's as well, it makes it so much easier with the silkscreen parts and soldering as well!
I'd love to see some stuff in the learn area of the site as well and a parts help section would be great for many new builders. The easier you make it for new builders the faster you'll sell more pcb's to that new builder.
I think the documentation is great!!!! Really pretty much the best out there, unless you go with kit from somewhere.
One thing that does bother me a little is the posting of klon clones with the sunking fabbed pcb's I see on ebay, but I know this is something impossible to stop. I don't mind selling one off pedals to friends or trading with someone etc..but it bothers me of the posting to make a profit of these on ebay. I think this under minds what your trying to promote here on the site.
It has not been mentioned I don't think..but I really like the trend of less new cloned boutique builds and more original pcb builds like the trem, rump roast etc. While I still would like to see the cloned stuff I like the idea of some original items that you can't buy from pro guitar shop or the like...
Keep up the excellent work!! I just wish I could buy more pcb's but I'm so backed up with projects already...and little time.
Josh
Josh,
I'm well aware of the Klon klones that have been floating around recently. In the last month there has been an uptick, actually. I spend at least some time once a week checking out stuff like this. I don't like it, but I also try to remain fair about it. All I can do is say "I don't endorse that". I don't want to be the Clone Police, after all. I have a certain ethic about DIY that is probably a little abstract, and I can understand if others might think it's total BS. But, I'm comfortable with it :)
And, in my mind, there's a difference between selling your work for a fair and reasonable price and then there's profiteering. At least in one case someone had a Klon clone for sale for more than the original unit sold for!! I mean, come on.... ::)
One another note, I have been working with someone recently who is running classes for pedal building and providing an "educator's discount" to help him get started...that's the kind of thing I really like to see happening.
Anyway, you are right on target in terms of the development of projects from this point forward. There will be very few straight clone projects in the future. While it was a good jumping off point for getting things started, I'm much more interested in exploring new designs, or re-tooling classics. I also plan on (hopefully) developing some DIY projects that offer real-time control over multiple effects. That's the kind of thing that will allow people to develop really unique sounds and techniques!
First of all, I love this site. The boards are great, and the forum and build instructions match that quality.
Madbean, I think you mentioned in a post that you would be doing more projects that were not so specifically clones. That is pretty interesting to me. The clone stuff is very cool, but it would be cool to see some more unique things.
Not to take this off topic, but pedal building classes! Who? Where? How do I sign up?
Chad
Would love to see a section for audio/vid examples of each pedal. You can usually find someones build demo'd on Youtube, but having a link on the site for each pedal would be handy, so you can hear what each sound like before ordering the board.
I think that Madbean is awesome. Best source for pedal pcbs. The documentation is great. Sometimes I get slowed down a bit converting capacitor values from nF to mF, and checking the layout to see if they are electrolytic or not. But that's not a big deal.
Also, I'd like a link on the forum to get back to the Projects site.
Finally, Madbean t-shirts and stickers would be cool!! Thanks!!
Quote from: rowland1 on February 05, 2011, 05:21:00 PMAlso, I'd like a link on the forum to get back to the Projects site.
+1 :)
First of all, I think the forum is awesome. I feel like that out of all of the forums out there, it is the most "noob" friendly. It truly has a great sense of community and everyone is willing to help each other out and not make anyone feel embarrassed for asking those beginner questions we all have had. So, thanks to everyone on keeping that type of environment.
Brian, your work is some of the best out there, and your prices are ridiculously fair, and I've said it before, it's incredible that you willingly include the PCB artwork for people to etch their own boards.
I love the direction the project docs are heading, with in depth circuit analysis and mods.
So that's just some positive feedback. I would say that everything that has been said on some improvements that could be made I agree with and can't think of anything to add to the list.
Thanks for everything you do and the services you provide Brian!
Okay, video and audio demos is something else that needs to happen ASAP. I totally agree with that. Ideally, I would like to get them done for everything. The biggest hold-up is actually trying to stay current with orders.....it's the thing I worry most about. Just this last week I had more orders in a seven day period than ever before. So, it pushes everything else back. Hell, I've had my new CNC sitting in my dining room for 2 months and I haven't even used it yet!
Also, I'd like to improve my responsiveness with email and PM's. That's another thing that gets de-prioritized when things are cookin'.
Quote from: plesur on February 05, 2011, 06:31:22 PM
Quote from: rowland1 on February 05, 2011, 05:21:00 PMAlso, I'd like a link on the forum to get back to the Projects site.
+1 :)
This is my only issue. Nothing else bothers me. This IS DIY.
Thanks for being here and doing what you do!
Chris
Brian, if the order load is so high that you can't even respond to PMs and emails on a timely fashion, I don't think too many people would complain; at least I wouldn't. I'd much rather receive the product on a timely fashion rather than wait 3 weeks for the pcb because you're creating DIY videos. If I run into a problem, that's what the forums are for. The videos would be a good side project when time allows.
Of course, this is my opinion.
I agree and if you do videos I only think it be needed for the original projects...
I think videos should be user submitted, like the Skreddy site. They would, of course, need to be approved, but that saves Brian the time of making a bunch of videos for each pedal. That would also allow people to hear what the effect sounds like under several different setup conditions and playing styles.
Great site/forum, I think I've checked it every day since I discovered it, really. From a non electronics background guy, meaning I build/modify by "paint by numbers" and by looking at pictures(build reports)exclusively, your plans(which are the best) and this forum and it's members make it possible for me to build pedals.
I think the current prices for your boards are fair. I have five boards waiting to be built(I am just now finishing my second pedal), if they were more expensive I may not build as many. As they are I don't think much of ordering multiple boards at once. For example...if the Sunking boards were $20 each I would only build one but at the current price I will probably build 3 or 4. One for different pedalboards or for friends. Cool thing is, it's like you have this massive manufacturing force around the country and world making Madbean pedals and sharing them with friends and other musicians, what great advertising for your site!
I like the idea of original or tweaked classics but I remember when I first heard about the Kl_n and how high priced it was. Then discovering the thread of reverse engineering that thing. Really cool stuff. If it wasn't for all that work I would never even have a sniff at owning one. Point is, I think some cloning is essential to interest many that can't afford some of that boutique stuff. I want to build many of the clones that you offer so I can see what a $200 and up pedal sounds like.
Keep doing what you are doing. ;D
Many good ideas. I just want to say I think you have done a fantastic job with this site. Because of you and the many people who frequent this site my pedal building knowledge has increased tremendously over the past year. I think the prices for your products are where they should be. If there are other ways you could use this site to generate revenue to supplement your business (i.e. merchandising, training videos, specialty parts, etc.) that might help. Thanks for all of your efforts!
Looks like most everything has been touched on but here's my go:
- Release dates: keep 'em vague. I DO think the 'coming soon' text SHOULD stay--it's just good marketing to keep junkies wanting more...
- A/V demos: they would be nice but consider the above suggestion of madbean-approved user-submitted files as you already sound busy.
- Project docs: the new style is vastly superior. To deflate wiring questions in the forum, either include wiring diagrams EVERY TIME or provide a hard link to the LEARN page (which leads me to)
- Dead links: Some articles on the LEARN page would help a lot of newcomers. Links to other resources (beavis audio's page on switches or Stephen's Tips over at the BYOC forum) might encourage/enlighten visitors.
- Photo essay: Take a real easy build (zombii) and document the construction from beginning to end in photos for new visitors. There might be lurkers hesitant to take the plunge on a non-kit project
- Price: I'm pretty happy with the current price point--I hope it remains economical to keep it as such!
Basically: KEEP IT UP! This place is pretty exciting and I hope continues to be so.
one thing about the build documents that I really like is most of the new docs have the BOM and the parts layout all on one page. if at all possible please keep this up. I usually print just the pages I need to save paper, and it saves alot looking around too.
Quote from: eniacmike on February 06, 2011, 11:09:09 PM
one thing about the build documents that I really like is most of the new docs have the BOM and the parts layout all on one page. if at all possible please keep this up. I usually print just the pages I need to save paper, and it saves alot looking around too.
Yep, that was on purpose. I try to keep to one page per phase of building. I am giving the schematics a full page though because some people, like me, never know where their glasses are.
Brian... the site kicks ass and your project documentation and pcbs are fantastic!!!
I've learned lots and you've made this cool hobby very accessible to noobs like myself... THANKS ;D
QuoteBrian... the site kicks ass and your project documentation and pcbs are fantastic!!!
I've learned lots and you've made this cool hobby very accessible to noobs like myself... THANKS
well,.....everything´s said :D
awesome site! thx
Really like the site and build docs - only things I would add are:
*Email list for new product updates - I am not a twitterer
*Spreadsheets with parts boms. The build docs are great, but I would like and easy way to cut/paste the build details into a spreadsheet for ordering.
Oh and a pedal that makes me play like Gilmour :)
+1 to pretty much everything above:
we love ya, more of the same, audio demos, tutorials, blah blah, plz keep it cheap haha
Quote from: r4ndy on February 08, 2011, 02:54:17 AM
*Email list for new product updates - I am not a twitterer
I'm not either--it may be a hassle to integrate into all the social media, but tip offs/announcements on a Facebook page would get my (and many others) attention after we've drifted off a bit. I noticed Jkoura/Jacob has a facebook page, maybe he has insight to if it's worth it, etc
I'm not big on the Twitter myself, but there are actually quite of few people following for new release announcements. But, I'm not married to it by any means. A Facebook page could be made, for sure.
Quote from: r4ndy on February 08, 2011, 02:54:17 AM
Really like the site and build docs - only things I would add are:
*Email list for new product updates - I am not a twitterer
*Spreadsheets with parts boms. The build docs are great, but I would like and easy way to cut/paste the build details into a spreadsheet for ordering.
Oh and a pedal that makes me play like Gilmour :)
Not to derail the tread but you can cut and paste with the pdf files...
Press and hold the alt key while you right click and drag the column you want to copy. When the area is highlighted hit ctrl c and then click in your spreadsheet where you want to paste and hit ctrl v. This works for windows. I don't know about macs. Hope this helps!
josh
Just to say really impressed with the quality of the boards and the service.
I've just received my second order just over a week after ordering it and most of that time was the delivery to the UK.
The one suggestion would be to add remove the link on the front page to "pedals". The first time I came across the site I looked under there and finding nothing, I assumed that there wasn't anything on the site I was looking for ;)
Keep up the good work!
I can't think of anything to gripe about except maybe what 'back to back diodes' actually means. What is that? (aqua boy oscillation control mod)
Anti-parallel.
---->----
----<----
Quote from: madbean on February 10, 2011, 05:34:18 PM
Anti-parallel.
---->----
----<----
i'm still confused.
so which one if any are correct here:
(http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k278/sympathyforme/diodes.jpg)
#2
That's the typical configuration for clipping diodes. Not that the other ones might not be interesting, too.
Brian,
Awesome site and I'd like to say i like it when there are mojo parts options.
well I've been lurking this site for about 3 days so maybe my perspective can offer a different view point as I'm new to everything here. I'm also a total noob when it comes to building. The most building I've done is removing the input buffer from a crybaby:) Currently I'm trying to source the products for a snack shack and having a bit of trouble. I'll address this later.
So, I like the schematics. I like the prices.
It would be really nice to have something like a checklist for what you need to actually make it a working pedal, something that will say "you will also need these items besides the things for the circuit board: enclosure, LED, LED bezel, battery clip, mono jack, stereo jack (if required), footswitch, pots, knobs" etc etc.
There's more to building an effects pedal than just the PCB and if someone makes an order from Small Bear and forgets something small like the battery clip or something, it's an annoyance. Having a checklist of parts to source would mitigate this and would take 5 minutes on your part. It wouldn't need links but something so people looking to build an entire pedal can see what they need and check them off so there's no surprises. I know a lot of people here are experienced enough to know what they need, but the fact is that some people aren't.
Make the 'projects' tab either first or bigger. The 'pedals' one is redundant right now.
Builds should be called 'Gallery' or similar as builds and projects aren't far enough apart in my opinion.
I was having a bit of trouble sourcing the correct capacitors. small bear carry about 8 different types (low volt, hi-volt, ceramic, sprague etc etc) and I didn't know which ones to look for. I made a forum post about it and was answered but this doesn't seem necessary. An inclusion in the parts list itself or better - a color coded schematic where axial is blue, axial electrolytic is green for example might also work so one can look at the diagram and think "hmmm... ok, c2 is a green one so I need to look for an axial electrolytic". I'm a noob. I admit that and it's probably my myopia in matters electronica that means I don't know what I'm looking at, but I can't be the only one and I think this would nip it in the bud as it were. I know a lot of people here are experienced enough to know what they need, but the fact is that some people aren't.
At the very least I think a line describing what capacitors to buy is crucial. I got a reply to my forum post saying "For the snack shack i wouldn't go with the topmay, I'd go with panasonics or some axial caps"... ok, great, but couldn't this be included easily enough on the actual parts list with an addendum saying "you know, this isn't the be all and end all, but this is what I recommend to get the stock pedal"? I know a lot of people here are experienced enough to know what they need, but the fact is that some people aren't.
The navigation here is great. The forum is great. You really really need a link back to the main site body from the forums though.
There's a lot of requests for finished PCBs on the foums. This would be a neat inclusiontoo so people have something to aim for, an end point to work towards, and can be user-sourced so people from the forum can photograph finished boards and submit them. This would alleviate traffic/bloat from the forums of people asking the same thing.
One more thing, isn't a Big Muff a fuzz pedal? The DAM Meathead a fuzz pedal too?
That's it for now. These were the most obvious things I saw when I first came to this site and that I still think are issues. But again, I'm a noob, both to this field and to this site so maybe my suggestions are off kilter but at the same time, if everything I listed was in effect I'd have everything I need for a pedal right now.
Thanks for the insightful post, EndlessOcean. I can understand your frustration with feeling a bit in the dark in terms of what kinds of parts to order, etc. The lack of comprehensive info in some of the documentation has a lot to do with how madbeanpedals started. It was more of a project palace for folks who already had some experience in building and buying parts, so I did not really put forth the effort to make these things clear.
But now, a couple of years on, there are many new builders that are coming here first, rather than migrating from other places like BYOC, diystompboxes, etc. So, there is a definite gap to be crossed for absolute beginners to those with a few builds under their belts.
Anyway, I am trying to address this more clearly with the documentation I've been doing for releases over the last 3 - 4 months, and I think it has helped. But, there is still a lot of older documentation that needs to be brought up to the current standard. And some projects, like the Snack Shack, will be re-tooled to allow different lead spacings of the myriad of caps you can get. This isn't practical for all of the projects, but ones with low part counts that have a certain "mojo" vibe about them are pretty easy to do this way.
Anyway, I don't have much hope for doing color coded schematics, but this could still be addressed by marking what cap type is appropriate in the BOM. It would be great if I could do fully linked bills of materials, but that is a real time sucker on my end and would come at the expense of other more critical responsibilities. But, a happy medium can be found, I think, and your post is helpful in directing my efforts.
Thanks for the feedback, and welcome to the forum!
thanks for the welcome :)
This sounds like I should wait for the snack shack to be re-tooled. Will the actual PCB change or any of the parts with the re-tooling?
Color-coded schematics was maybe asking too much. It's a lot of work and I'm not sure it's 'proper'. You don't need to do a fully linked bill of materials. Nothing of the sort. All you need is something. If you had something that listed the type of capacitors, that's enough. The values are already there and once you get to a parts supplier it's pretty self-explanatory. Have you noticed how we're going back and forth between two forum posts about pretty much the same thing? This wouldn't happen. Right now you you have nothing to explain anything in greater detail so anything is better. Even adding something to the FAQ would suffice. Again, the recommendations could be user-sourced. The community here is large and knowledgeable so there is information to draw upon and possibly people to write it with the intent of helping cavemen like me come to terms with something unfamiliar.
But, the checklist needs to be created.
As an aside, I went to BYOC first, and tonepad etc. I felt that with BYOC you don't really learn anything apart from how to solder, and I wanted to be somewhat hands on the in the construction and pick up some knowledge of the 'why' part of the equation, not just the 'what' and 'where'. Yes is it frustrating to be a total newb and try to figure everything out from a very small lead but I'm not part of the crowd you aimed this sight at - those with experience - so maybe my insights aren't relevant.
If people tell me what to get other than the PCB and components, I'll mock something up to explain what you actually need to get (enclosure etc) to make a pedal a pedal that you can look at and (if you like) use on the site as a n00b notice.
Oh, kudos to you for the Reddit faces.
I think you need to look at the new project documents. There's a lot more info there.
Also, because BYOC sells kits only, they ate designed to be a beginners guide. Mostly, Madbean projects have been meant for people who have been at this DIY thing for a while, and who haven't needed the checklist or extra help that you're asking for. For every post from someone like yourself who has some questions like yourself there are several dozen who just order and don't need to ask questions. The problem is more rare than your suggesting.
I'm not diminishing the suggestions, they good ones and they'll likely be implemented, I'm just offering perspective. Because the pcbs don't come with parts, they inherently suggest a level of knowledge about why parts to order and th extra stuff. It hasn't been until recently that pure noobs have been showing up here first rather than going to BYOC or GGG.
Jacob
I understand where you're coming from. I also kinda feel like I'm at Warmoth asking for a PRS.
But I don't wanna go to BYOC and spend $90 on a kit when I can assemble it myself from here and Small Bear for around half that and learn more in the process.. buying a kit from BYOC isn't going to give m any knowledge with regards to what capacitors to buy or anything else. I'm trying to learn and this seems like the best place for it with the products they sell but it can be a lot more user-friendly towards less experienced people.
Like you said, this site is geared towards people who know what they're doing and since I don't then maybe I shouldn't be here on this forum or shouldn't be considering building what I'm building, but, if the things I mentioned get addressed then maybe from a business perspective it would lead to increased sales since the market increases as more people could build, less people would ask questions and more people could learn. It's a win/win.
I think it's a good thing that "pure noobs" are showing up here as it means there's a market to be sold to and people looking to learn rather than having someone else doing all the work apart from putting the relevant components in a plastic bag, like at BYOC.
You are both correct. You SHOULD be here EndlessOcean (damn I might hafta call you EO) because this is a fun and informative place to be! And, you should also be one the forums for BYOC, DIYSB, FSB, and so and so on. All of these places are unique and offers things the others don't have....and the same goes here.
Things will progress towards generalizing the projects for all levels of builders. It will simply take time to bring all of the work (which now spans a couple of highly productive years for me) into one standard that is accessible and scalable, in a certain sense.
Thanks again for your input!
call me Tez
If I can help at all, say if you need me to write something in n00bspeak lemme know. I'm at info@tezmphoto.com
I'd be happy to help.
'Bean I think you are doing a great job, and even though I'm haven't been a customer for a while, I lurk and keep learning from what you put out. Eventually, I'd like to get ahold of some of your fab'd boards but I'm just waiting for more projects to come out to place a larger order.
Keep up the good work!
Tez,
I read through this thread, and agree with 'Bean, and for the most part, all the others.
I especially agree that you should haunt as many of the boards as you can.
You are on the frustrating part of the learning curve, but if you stick with it, you WILL get there.
And don't be afraid to make a mistake. That's how we learn.
Trust me, there is not one single experienced builder on this board (or any other, for that matter) that hasn't forgotten to order all of the parts, inadvertently ordered the wrong parts, been 99% complete on a project and was waiting for ONE component that was mis-ordered or not ordered (or ruined my the builder himself).
A mistake is only a mistake if you fail to learn from it.
Keep coming back, and welcome to your new addiction.
Chris
Thanks Chris for the support. I'm fully expecting to screw up then throw the parts in the bin, then pick them back out again.
I ordered everything on the parts list and all the extra bits I could think of (enclosure, led, bezel, jacks, nuts for the jacks, switch etc) so I feel pretty confident I won't have anything missing but you never know until crunch time I guess.
I'm at the complete bottom of the learning curve. I went online to learn how to read a schematic and got confused. It'd be nice if someone had a schematic, then had the circuit next to it to display how they interact but whatever, I'll be going to the library to pick up a book on the absolute basics of current and circuitry in the hopes my retardation is short lived.
Anyway, I'm baffling. Thanks for the words man and for taking the time to write them. I kinda felt like I was the annoying kid asking a million questions that I would know if i'd 'paid my dues' or some other such thing, but rest assured I'll be a thorn in your side in the future.
I look forward to tripping up in your company.
EO,
check out Freestompboxes.org and http://www.beavisaudio.com/techpages/
Most of my noob learning has (and continues to) come from those places...particularly from FSB's library section and reading those informative/layman's-written articles on B.A.R
dang, my spelling was pretty terrible in my last post. I gotta stop using my iphone to post on this forum late at night.
Speaking of... iPhone formated forum could be cool...
Jacob
You have an awesome site!!! You offer great pedal clone alternatives to other sites. Its just fantastic. I believe everything is very well priced. I would buy all your boards if i could afford it and had the time. plus i have a huge list already! Still eagerly waiting for the learn section. I love how you layout your pdf docs. and i can't wait to see the rest of the information you have to share with us! Maybe you could put a nice parts sourcing section helping us find those "mojo" parts in crazy databases like mouser. that would be soo helpful and we can all contribute our knowledge for the next beginner!
keep up the great work and don't stop the new projects flowing!!!!
Quote from: jkokura on February 15, 2011, 01:35:40 AM
Speaking of... iPhone formated forum could be cool...
Jacob
The "Madbean App" would be awesome! +1
+1 on the Beavis site. Schematic to reality and the How does it work on the LPB articles are great for everybody not just noobs. I still find something new there that I missed before.
Quote from: jtn191 on February 15, 2011, 01:29:54 AM
EO,
check out Freestompboxes.org and http://www.beavisaudio.com/techpages/
Most of my noob learning has (and continues to) come from those places...particularly from FSB's library section and reading those informative/layman's-written articles on B.A.R