Hey guys,
I’ve recently realised that I need to be involved in music in some shape or form. My band has gone fully south now and having had some time away from gigging, it has shown me that I need a new music venture...
So, I’ve recently taken up the piano which I am really enjoying,
but I remember modding a couple of my guitar pedals years ago and loving the practical side and seeing how I could make my pedals sound even better from some quite basic mods.
The thing is, My knowledge of electronics is basically non-existent.
I've looked into books on this subject and whilst it is pretty thin on the ground I have come across Wampler’s ‘how to modify guitar pedals’, which looks pretty great. Does anyone know where I can get this for less than £55 in book form? I’d rather buy it than download a pdf online. Not only to support the author, but I won’t read it on the laptop.
The reason I’m looking into this is obviously the interest in pedals, but also the idea that in years to come, I could possibly start building and selling a few pedals on the side, if I became good enough of course. It would give me great satisfaction in being actively involved in the music scene (now that I’ve given in and realised that now I’m 25 years old, I’m never gonna be a rockstar
).
So, apologies for the essay, but does anyone have any advice or book recommendations for beginners with a bit of a dream? I’m assuming that any basic books on electronics is a good place to start...Then I can feed the knowledge into building pedals, and possibly amps at a later stage?
Let me know now if it sounds daft too- I can take it
Thanks all,
Luke
Comments
brain wampler's pedal books 1 & 2.
defnitely search out the collected schematics & experiments of tim escobedo. not a book, in so much as a random brilliant collection of schematics drifting around the interwebs. they are amazing starting point for ideas.
so many so called boutique things 'stole-borrowed-took-influnce-from' starting points found in his work. so he deserves far more recognition & respect among musicians who use pedals than he gets. a seminal figure in pedal world.
def check out RG Keen's website AMZ. lots of resources & expert advice.
& sites. diystompboxes & freestompboxes & diy guitar layouts (gfx) you need to sign up to immediately. gfx has a really good forum that is really accessible & friendly. the other two are for once you have got going.
well that's all i can remember now from my 'devi-wannabe' pedal making days, but enough to keep you going for a few years. best of luck & be warned, it's a terribly addictive hobby.
I’ll dedicate some time over the weekend to check it all out and see where I need to go.
Im hoping it will be addictive, so that’s good to know
Much appreciated,
Luke
Get yourself a bread board, build something simple like a fuzz face, treble booster etc and experiment with changing component values.
Analogue guitar electronics is all pretty ancient stuff; the future is in building a DSP platform in a pedal and developing algorithms. Or endless TS clones.
Or what I used to do; semi-modular routers. Being able to design and make your own PCBs is a useful edge.
Its going to be a big learning curve for me...But I’m quite looking forward to it.
Cheers!
Feedback
Also, great idea with the Haynes manuals for guitars. Despite asking for pedal building info, it obviously integrates into each other, so I’ll check them out.
I love my amps too (being left handed, guitars are sparse!), so this is also something I’d like to venture into at a later stage once I’m competent in pedal building. I’m not expecting this to be overnight and I am quite happy for the next few years to focus on gaining the skills and experience for this.
I must however keep grounded- getting a bit ahead of myself already and am already thinking of names for pedals, ha ha.
Thanks all,
Luke