madbeanpedals::forum

Projects => General Questions => Topic started by: ckalinec on January 31, 2011, 10:23:08 PM

Title: First Build Help
Post by: ckalinec on January 31, 2011, 10:23:08 PM
Hey guys, I want to start my first actual pedal build. After doing a couple tap tempos and junction boxes I'm confident in my soldering abilities. I want my first build to be the Aristocrat (King of Tone clone). I just have a few questions:

How do I know which type of Cap, resistor, diodes, etc. to get? I was looking from small bear, can all of my parts be purchased from small bear?

Thanks, keep in mind, I know NOTHING about caps, diodes, and resistors so all education is welcome.

Title: Re: First Build Help
Post by: jkokura on January 31, 2011, 11:07:59 PM
Welcome to the forum! This will be a great place for learning, and yours is a prett common question. You may find other threads with info you'll really appreciate.

But to answer your question, yes all of the parts you need can be found at smallbear. About caps and diodes and such, if you post some links here we can tell you if you're on the right track.

The aristocrat is somewhat a big project to attempt. Perhaps trying something simpler first might be helpful for learning?

Jacob
Title: Re: First Build Help
Post by: gtr2 on January 31, 2011, 11:48:46 PM
Quote from: jkokura on January 31, 2011, 11:07:59 PM

The aristocrat is somewhat a big project to attempt. Perhaps trying something simpler first might be helpful for learning?

Jacob

+1

But, if you do decide to go with the aristocrat and you want to keep it per the build doc you will have to buy source the diodes elsewhere.  Links are in the build document.  It's a fun build but it could be complicated for a first build like Jacob said.
Title: Re: First Build Help
Post by: ckalinec on February 01, 2011, 12:38:16 AM
My reasoning for trying the Aristocrat is that I already have a SHO. I don't really need a fuzz, so I want to try out the Aristocrat. Would the Klon be an easier build. These are the only pedals I'm really interested in
Title: Re: First Build Help
Post by: jkokura on February 01, 2011, 01:52:39 AM
No, the sunking and aristocrat are on par with each other for difficulty.

Take it slow. Ask lots of questions and have us help you. Check that the circuit works brfor you box it up, and you'll be fine. Sometimes diving into the deep end works out just fine!

Jacob
Title: Re: First Build Help
Post by: ckalinec on February 24, 2011, 04:56:30 AM
So, thought I'd bump this up since I just ordered everything last night! Very excited about this.

However, I ordered the JRC4580 IC from Mouser and they are back ordered until April 18th. Anybody know where I can get one other than Mouser?

Thanks, I'll also be posting any questions I have in here as I go
Title: Re: First Build Help
Post by: irmcdermott on February 24, 2011, 06:13:09 AM
mammoth sells them, i think. pedal parts plus sells a workalike.

mammoth shipping is kind of high for small orders, so that may not be your best bet if that is all you need.

I would check ebay first.
Title: Re: First Build Help
Post by: ckalinec on February 24, 2011, 09:15:54 PM
So went ahead and ordered a JRC4558 from mammoth and a socket that way in April I can swap out the IC's when the right ones get in

Now just waiting for everything to come in
Title: Re: First Build Help
Post by: ckalinec on March 04, 2011, 05:54:16 PM
Everything is here except the biggest order. Ugh. Smallbear was the first place I ordered from and the last thing to come in. I still haven't got it yet.
Title: Re: First Build Help
Post by: ckalinec on March 04, 2011, 10:11:07 PM
Quick question. I decided I'm gonna try of the cap switch per madbeans advice. I ran down to radioshack to see if they had any and I picked up 2 of what I believe is the correct cap just making sure.

The build says 27n-47n and I picked up a .047uf polyester-film cap.

This is the correct cap right?

Also, will this be too much bass response being the highest value suggested. Thanks, Clint
Title: Re: First Build Help
Post by: jkokura on March 04, 2011, 10:13:56 PM
.047uF and 47nF are the same yes. A film cap is the right cap to use in that place. Is it the right size?

Jacob
Title: Re: First Build Help
Post by: ckalinec on March 07, 2011, 06:20:22 PM
Just picked up my order from smallbean! Only problem is they didn't label any of my resistors, caps, etc. How do I tell them apart?
Title: Re: First Build Help
Post by: irmcdermott on March 07, 2011, 06:34:58 PM
Resistor Color Code. This might help.
http://samengstrom.com/24614782/en/read/4_Band_Resistor_Color_Codes (http://samengstrom.com/24614782/en/read/4_Band_Resistor_Color_Codes)
Title: Re: First Build Help
Post by: ckalinec on March 07, 2011, 06:44:39 PM
^^Thanks man! Couple more questions

1) Why don't my capacitor look like "boxes" like the builds I've seen? Can I still use them?

2) On my cylindrical caps, why are the positive and negative ends on different sides unlike the others that have the both on the same side? Can I still use these?

Thanks! Did I completely screw up when ordering or is this ok?
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5255/5507001170_671f4571b4.jpg)
Title: Re: First Build Help
Post by: irmcdermott on March 07, 2011, 06:53:24 PM
You should be able to use them since I'm assuming they are the right value. You may just have to bend the leads a little. Or, they may not fit in, I'm not sure what the actual dimensions they are. The "box" caps you see people using are usually WIMA, AVX, or Topmay brand. Smallbear sells Topmay caps.

You ordered "axial" caps for your electrolytics, instead of radials. You can still use them. The arrow on the black line indicates which lead is your negative lead. Just bend one down and stand it up.
Title: Re: First Build Help
Post by: ckalinec on March 07, 2011, 07:32:55 PM
Ok I as I was looking I noticed another question.

Why is it that in the build docs C8 and C19 have a positve/negative and are circular while C9 and C20 are Square and have no positive negative. The build docs show these to be the same value etc. Can you help me out with this?

Thanks for all the help guys!
Title: Re: First Build Help
Post by: irmcdermott on March 07, 2011, 07:48:34 PM
same value, C8 and C19 are polarized (electrolytic) the others are regular film.
Title: Re: First Build Help
Post by: ckalinec on March 07, 2011, 07:53:40 PM
Hmmm, I guess I ordered 4 polarized caps. Will Radioshack carry some regular film caps?
Title: Re: First Build Help
Post by: bigmufffuzzwizz on March 07, 2011, 08:02:00 PM
I haven't seen them at radio shack before. Futurlec has them(http://www.futurlec.com/CapPolyFilm.shtml) but I hear they take forever with shipping. I just put in an order 2 days ago so we'll see!
Small bear has lots of box caps for sale, the shipping is probably faster with them.
Title: Re: First Build Help
Post by: ckalinec on March 07, 2011, 08:41:33 PM
This should be the right thing right? It says they have them in stock at my local radioshack


http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2102515#
Title: Re: First Build Help
Post by: bigmufffuzzwizz on March 07, 2011, 08:49:58 PM
yes that will work. i read it wrong. i thought you were asking for box caps!
I feel its overpriced but thats the exchange for convenience.
and now i know where you got those blue caps from..hmmm
Title: Re: First Build Help
Post by: ckalinec on March 07, 2011, 08:57:43 PM
Ya exactly, I don't want to wait a week.

And actually, everything in that pic came from smallbear
Title: Re: First Build Help
Post by: ckalinec on March 08, 2011, 02:44:35 AM
If I want to use just two mono jacks instead of a stereo jack I can right? I don't care about the battery
Title: Re: First Build Help
Post by: bigmufffuzzwizz on March 08, 2011, 03:02:25 AM
yup thats correct.
Title: Re: First Build Help
Post by: ckalinec on March 09, 2011, 12:13:57 AM
Welp, got everything solder up and in the enclosure. I just can't test it out to see if it works until friday. The LED's work so that's gotta be a good sign! haha