madbeanpedals::forum

Hey all,
It's been a while since I've posted. It's also been a while since I've done any building too. All my stuff is in storage and has been collecting dust. I decided to disappear for a bit after the flood at my house ruined all my gear and most of my workshop. I did have a small setup for a while but it honestly was hard to get anything done. My twin boys just turned 4 and the time is coming where I may have some daytime hours to do something that I might want to do. Music related things, and not doing them, has led a huge hole in my heart and I miss it. I miss this community too. I'm thinking of doing a couple of small projects to start out, nothing too big and probably something I'm familiar with. Most likely a fuzz. But that's beside the point. You (this forum) has always been a second family to me and I want to be a part of this again. I may have burnt a bridge or two before. I hope that isn't the case.
Anyways, how are things out there now. Are parts still a nightmare to get a hold of? Are tariffs affecting costs on boards? Any advice for a veteran of the forum on getting back into the swing of things? Thanks guys and love you all!!
-Mike-

Hey hey Mike, welcome back. Life gets in the way sometimes, and that's ok. Things are great in the diy community. The tariffs have affected the market, but nothing detrimental. I get my stuff from stompboxparts.com but Tayda is still around. They're doing UV prints on enclosures now. It is easier to make your own boards with eagle a schematic and jlcpcb.com
Looking forward to seeing your builds!


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Echoing Jimmy, yeah the tariffs are a thorn in the side, but not a shiv in the gut. I've almost got some boards ready to go myself, waiting to see which way the wind blows...

Stopbox Parts is great, Tayda (my last order got in super fast (as long as you're not ordering a powder coated, drilled, UV printed enclosure*)). LoveMySwitches, amplified parts (Tubes'n'More) are all good, albeit more expensive, but they also have stuff the other two don't. For more esoteric parts, there are a number of reputable eBay sellers, as well as Small Bear for some of them.

*Like Jimmy said, Tayda does powder coating, drilling, and UV printing. They've got a bit of a wait time, but I've been happy with what I've gotten from them. The UV printing art setup is all on the consumer, and while there's a learning curve, it can be done, and there are some good tutorials out there.

Thanks guys! I remember that Stopmboxparts was just starting to ramp up when I ducked out. Glad to see they are still kicking. I'll have to check out their site when I need some stuff. Lawrence (BLMS) and I have kept in touch and I am still a huge supporter of what he does and has done for the DIY community. And Brian is my hero for keeping this forum going for so long.

Another question (or couple of I may) since Eagle has moved to subscription based software what do you all use for PCB design? What is the learning curve like? It may be a while before I get to designing again, if ever really...just wondering. Thanks again!
-Mike-

Hi Mike - Nice to see you pop up here!  It's been 4 or 5 years since I completed a pedal but I check in here almost every day to see what's going on.  I keep thinking I'm going to start a project "any day now" but there's too much going on in my life so I never get to it.  Maybe I can use this as inspiration.

Quote from: flanagan0718 on May 31, 2025, 07:27:06 PMAnother question (or couple of I may) since Eagle has moved to subscription based software what do you all use for PCB design? What is the learning curve like? It may be a while before I get to designing again, if ever really...just wondering.

If you're looking for completely free, KiCad seems to be the way to go. From what I've seen, other packages seem to be freemium-ware? I still need to make a final decision myself, even though I've been using the freedom bird offline since I got into it a few years ago.

Quote from: flanagan0718 on May 31, 2025, 07:27:06 PMThanks guys! I remember that Stopmboxparts was just starting to ramp up when I ducked out. Glad to see they are still kicking. I'll have to check out their site when I need some stuff. Lawrence (BLMS) and I have kept in touch and I am still a huge supporter of what he does and has done for the DIY community. And Brian is my hero for keeping this forum going for so long.

Another question (or couple of I may) since Eagle has moved to subscription based software what do you all use for PCB design? What is the learning curve like? It may be a while before I get to designing again, if ever really...just wondering. Thanks again!
-Mike-

Older version of eagle. I forgot they were going to a sub only.


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Hey man, good to see you back!  You took a huge hit on all sides so good on you for rolling back in (in any form).  I think getting parts is as good or better than ever with a few peeps (stompboxparts) stepping up their game.  Prices are a bit over the norm with Mouser actually detailing what the tariff hit is. 

I've transitioned more to repairs than builds these days and there's still all kinds of sources available for anything.  I've had to do a lot of Takamine and Ibanez guitar repairs lately and sites pop up for stuff I figured would be unobtainium.

Hey Mike!!!!

I, too, took a long break but I have been building like a madman (madbean?), again. Ive finished about 20 here in the last couple of months.

Like Jimi mentioned, Tayda is doing UV prints which I absolutely love. Doing the whole waterslide/decal enclosure thing was the part of building I hated most but now with Tayda doing the UV, its brought new life back into building for me.

Other than that, I think Madbeans, AxionFX, DeadEndFX, PedalPCB, EffectLayouts, and a few others are killing it with some great new PCBs.

Smallbear, LoveMySwitches, Tayda, Stompbox, and occasionally Amazon and Ebay are still my go-to for parts.

I just wish THIS forum would come back to life like it used to be. I miss seeing and hearing from all the old members. 

Anyway, glad to see you back!

Quote from: peAk on June 01, 2025, 09:07:56 PMHey Mike!!!!

I, too, took a long break but I have been building like a madman (madbean?), again. Ive finished about 20 here in the last couple of months.

Like Jimi mentioned, Tayda is doing UV prints which I absolutely love. Doing the whole waterslide/decal enclosure thing was the part of building I hated most but now with Tayda doing the UV, its brought new life back into building for me.

Other than that, I think Madbeans, AxionFX, DeadEndFX, PedalPCB, EffectLayouts, and a few others are killing it with some great new PCBs.

Smallbear, LoveMySwitches, Tayda, Stompbox, and occasionally Amazon and Ebay are still my go-to for parts.

I just wish THIS forum would come back to life like it used to be. I miss seeing and hearing from all the old members.

Anyway, glad to see you back!

Same!


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Quote from: peAk on June 01, 2025, 09:07:56 PMI just wish THIS forum would come back to life like it used to be.

(https://pixelfed.social/storage/m/_v2/795503109569831668/4f692c7f1-e20d1b/YjssoZ8u3gJm/z9GlJBGOxjQNuKpvfmVMtw43ZQBkZa6Xyvkq3kOx.jpg)

I just started messing with EasyEDA to do schematics and PCB layouts. Interestingly enough, the first pcb I am awaiting to have printed is a modded shoegazer. I built my first one years ago on one of your PCBs. Hope you can find some enjoyment in the hobby again!

Quote from: destro on June 02, 2025, 01:05:47 AMI just started messing with EasyEDA to do schematics and PCB layouts. Interestingly enough, the first pcb I am awaiting to have printed is a modded shoegazer. I built my first one years ago on one of your PCBs. Hope you can find some enjoyment in the hobby again!

This is inspiring! Thanks for the props. I loved doing that PCB and that too was my first PCB design. I'll have to check out easyeda. That sounds interesting. I can't wait to see how your board comes out!

I can't play guitar too much anymore. I have pretty bad arthritis in my left hand. That was another reason I kind of stepped back from the hobby. I do still have a squire strat around the house and a headphone amp so I can test my progress a little. I'm mainly just going to do it for the building aspect, haha. It will be slow going but maybe I'll build some strength in ole lefty over time. Lolz.

-Mike-

Easy EDA is what threw me into Eagle. I enjoy laying them out...sometimes.


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