Grateful Dead Music Forum

I know there are so many knowledgable members of the forum in the area of all things electrical and electronic. Can anyone recommend a good "get your feet wet" project to start learning more about it? Obviously, I am not looking to become an electrical engineer through this but maybe build an effect or two and gain a better understanding about what goes where (and why). I have some minor soldering skills from working in a electronic auto parts assembly plant as summer jobs when I was in school. That job didn't necessarily teach 'the why' just 'the how'... Part A into Part B...solder. Next part... and so on.

I have checked out kits on BYOC and GGG and the like. I was wondering if there is a good recommendation that is not too complex, but is worthwhile in the end. I saw there was a Stratoblaster clone on GGG and thought it might be a good place to start.

Would a few of you all "in the know" weigh in where/what would be a good place to jump in?

Thanks, all.

~BB45

I just tackled the BYOC 250+, which was my first attempt at anything like this. It wasn't too tough, though I did have to troubleshoot a bit when I was finished. It works perfectly now, though, and, sounds, to me, just like an original Distortion plus. So it was a winner on two levels: I got experience and confidence, and I ended up with a useful Jerry effect on my board. I'd say go for it.

Both BYOC and GGG are great places to start. I had a buddy thats a novice at these things who ordered a kit from GGG and said it was pretty idiot proof. Honestly I think as long as you can solder you're good to go. Like I said, he said he had a pretty easy time with things.

I was just checking out a few sites again... the 250+ would probably be more useful in the end to me than the Stratoblaster. I saw on the DIYStompboxes there is a beginner kit on perf board. I think its like a boost-type board for 21.95. I'll have to shop around and compare. Looks like GGG is "closed" on Saturdays.

http://www.beavisaudio.com/

This place has some cool stuff, just look around. They also sell this "Beavis Board" so you can layout and make effects before actually making them.