madbeanpedals::forum

General => Open Discussion => Topic started by: sam_c on October 25, 2011, 09:40:32 PM

Title: hi all
Post by: sam_c on October 25, 2011, 09:40:32 PM
just a quick hello as Ive joined the site and ordered some pcbs.

Just gone through the BOM's and ordered evrything so I will try to get some good results and post some finished pedals!

Ive gone for the fatpants, greenbean and egodriver - 2 of each. one for me, one for my buddy.

I built a nice little 5w valve amp kit last christmas break and I want some pedals to use with it.  Im also learning to build guitars too, but as winter gets closer that is on the backburner.

cheers!
sam - uk
Title: Re: hi all
Post by: irmcdermott on October 25, 2011, 10:11:32 PM
Welcome to the community Sam!
Title: Re: hi all
Post by: keysandguitars on October 25, 2011, 11:47:41 PM
Welcome Sam, this forum is the best...actually it's the only pedal forum I'm on.

What kind of amp kit did you get?
Title: Re: hi all
Post by: mjcyates on October 25, 2011, 11:53:18 PM
Welcome! Happy building.
Title: Re: hi all
Post by: CK1 on October 26, 2011, 03:26:34 AM
Hello and welcome!
Title: Re: hi all
Post by: sgmezei on October 26, 2011, 04:33:56 AM
Welcome Dude. You will find this is a really friendly forum with lots of experienced builders to help you out.

And start saving, as you will be ordering more boards from the Bean shortly....

Scott
Title: Re: hi all
Post by: sam_c on October 26, 2011, 08:28:11 AM
Thanks for the welcome!  I have to say this seems like one of the better forums for this stuff. I have been reading through a few others but the madbean kits seem very concise and the support info is the best ive been able to find.  I would like to learn about simple audio electronics rather than just putting the pieces together and posting like crazy when it doesnt work. 

Quote from: keysandguitars on October 25, 2011, 11:47:41 PM
What kind of amp kit did you get?

It was an Ampmaker SE-5a kit from a guy called Barry in the UK.  I highly recommend his kits and the support he gives for his products.  The schemtaics and notes that came with the kit were also excellent.

Not sure if I can post URL's yet, but here is a demo video of it

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wa4E91of2o
Title: Re: hi all
Post by: TNblueshawk on October 26, 2011, 01:47:59 PM
Welcome Sam. I'm fairly new on this one too and can attest to the friendly folks here as well.
Title: Re: hi all
Post by: Quip on October 30, 2011, 02:59:30 PM
Just signed up too. Been building MB projects for awhile. Always pleased with the results. Nary a problem to troubleshoot. Really like building the advanced stuff for the challenge but my favorite tones always seem to be in the simple circuits.
Title: Re: hi all
Post by: sam_c on November 05, 2011, 05:10:49 PM
woohoo!  my first boards turned up yesterday.  I'll have a go at the fatpants over the weekiend.
Title: Re: hi all
Post by: gtr2 on November 05, 2011, 05:25:18 PM
Welcome Sam C!  ;D

Josh
Title: Re: hi all
Post by: sam_c on November 08, 2011, 12:17:00 PM
well, got my first fatpants wired up.  Its a little noisy and theres some bad joints I need to sort out but overall Im impressed!

In hindsight I should have left off the footswitch and dc jack so it would be esier to debug the pcb/pots.  I think I will build myself the testing rig next.

I have to admit I underestimated how difficult it is to judge the offboard wiring lengths/routing etc. in order to avoid a tiny rat's nest.   I havent boxed the pedal yet but I will really need to have a look at the wiring before I do.


Title: Re: hi all
Post by: TNblueshawk on November 08, 2011, 06:13:46 PM
Quote from: sam_c on November 08, 2011, 12:17:00 PM
well, got my first fatpants wired up.  Its a little noisy and theres some bad joints I need to sort out but overall Im impressed!

In hindsight I should have left off the footswitch and dc jack so it would be esier to debug the pcb/pots.  I think I will build myself the testing rig next.

I have to admit I underestimated how difficult it is to judge the offboard wiring lengths/routing etc. in order to avoid a tiny rat's nest.   I havent boxed the pedal yet but I will really need to have a look at the wiring before I do.




Experience and technique will come to you. I can't decide on what order I want to wire things and I've built 15 pedals  ::)
Title: Re: hi all
Post by: bigmufffuzzwizz on November 09, 2011, 04:01:07 AM
Good job on the fat pants! Awesome sounding circuit, I wanna stick mine in a 1590a.

You'll develop your own method with some time and practice. I highly recommend building a test rig, even if it is a really simple one. I only have the DC jack and In/Out jacks with alligator clips to attach to the board being tested. Has helped me so many times, with all sorts of debugs.
Title: Re: hi all
Post by: sam_c on November 09, 2011, 09:41:51 AM
Quote from: bigmufffuzzwizz on November 09, 2011, 04:01:07 AM
I highly recommend building a test rig, even if it is a really simple one.

Yes, that will be my next project.  Luckily the only issues with the fatpants were the stranded wires I had used to go to the pot terminals, gauge was too big.  Where I had thinned it out to go through the pcb holes, the loose strands on the otherside of the board were shorting out on each other when I moved it around.  When I box it I will replace the wire with some 22-26awg stuff and heatshrink it.   

Also marked up my enclosure last night ready to drill out, will be getting the GF to do a zvex style paint job in enamels and then give it a dusting of lacquer.  Will post pics and possibly a vid when its done!
Title: Re: hi all
Post by: TNblueshawk on November 09, 2011, 09:07:03 PM
Audio probe Audio probe audio probe.

Can't recommend this tool enough. Should have bought one out of the gate. I can't get those 10 hours back !
Title: Re: hi all
Post by: sam_c on November 09, 2011, 11:58:52 PM
yep.  Ive got some old multimeter probes somewhere so i will build one into the test rig.