Kits n stuff

[Irish]

Alright, I've read for a couple of days now, and to be truthful a bunch of this
is over my head. 
Let me explain; I am (was) a GMP/MilSpec rated assembler. I can ID almost any
part made, interpret schematics and drawings, and perform amazing feats of art
in solder using a dizzying array of tools from $2.98 snips to $160,000 PnP
machines.  
What I am not is an engineer. I know what various components are and do, and
in a general way I know what happens when you put certain ones in a circuit
together. I can use a meter but not a scope. 

Now, what I'd like to do is learn some theory, specifically as it relates
to our mutual interest :) , but to start out it might help me to understand
what all these things (like LFOs, VCFs, filters, modulators, etc. ) DO
individually and when hooked together. To that end I would like to find some
kits. I've already ordered the MadMouse - looks like fun to make and use. I'd
also like to find some signal processing / effects type stuff. Ring Mod maybe,
or analog delay? Stuff that's a kit, but winds up being cool useable gear. I've
tried a few web searches, but come up empty. Any pointers folks? 

If I may, I'd also like to ask your patience if I come up with some
ridiculously simple sounding questions. For example, I want to build a Midi
Thru box. I have a very simple diagram (it's not rocket science...) that calls
for a 74LS14. I can get it at RS or a local distrib for under a buck, BUT it's
a 14 pin DIP and the diagram naturally just shows the symbols, not the pinout.
Where can I find pinout for this and other common-as-dirt ICs? Again, web
searches I made were fruitless. This really seems silly - these must be
referenced somewhere on the net! 

Thanks for your help, 
Irish