[sdiy] Starter Kit for SDIY

[synth at oldmail.charlielamm.com]

I started off in the stomp-box side too--fun to build, and much
cheaper/more durable than buying the retro effect from an antiques
instrument dealer.

I had good luck with the distortion units here:

www.generalguitargadgets.com

I built the "Brown Sound in a Box" which came out sounding pretty darn
good if you are into a Marshall sort of sound.  Haven't tried the Rev 2 
version but it supposedly doesn't feed back as bad as the one I built.
  
This uses FETS, not op amps.

http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=150&Itemid=178

Another one that looks good is tube screamer....it uses a JRC4558

http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=90&Itemid=118

If this sounds like the original, and it probably does, this is a very 
good sounding distortion unit if you're a rock or blues/rock player.

In general, ggg (boards and plans) and small bear electronics (parts) is a 
good place to start if you are building effects, at least it has worked 
well for me.

--CL

On Thu, 25 Aug 2005, Jonathan Arkell wrote:

> Having built my own kit (x0xb0x), I am ready to delve into the woolly
> world of designing my own synths/effects and modding what I already
> have.  I figure a good thing to do is to grab a list of 'essential
> parts', and start playing around, and buy more as I delve into specific
> projects and as needed.
> 
> Is there anything (component or otherwise) that you guys consider
> essential? I found a "starter kit" list here:
> http://www.kpsec.freeuk.com/starter.htm.
> 
> My first project is going to be building my own distortion effect.
> After that, I think I am going to try my hand at making a couple of 3 or
> 4 pole filters, and work up from there.
> 
> Oh, and if any of you have suggestions for a good opamp for my
> distortion unit, that would be super cool.
> 
> Cheers.
>