If you recycle parts you can build things for free, or nearly - just the cost of solder and wire.
I've always wanted to make stompboxes with stupid housings, like an old telephone base or a cookie tin or an old modem.
Like, what's this? A wireless router? No! It's a superfuzz.

I'm a start working on that.

Kayte R. wrote:If you recycle parts you can build things for free, or nearly - just the cost of solder and wire.
I've always wanted to make stompboxes with stupid housings, like an old telephone base or a cookie tin or an old modem.
Like, what's this? A wireless router? No! It's a superfuzz.

I'm a start working on that.

I have a Fuzz/Ring Mod built into a 10" black and white television.

HA! AWESOME!

aen wrote:

Uncle Ovipositor wrote:

4) how much does it cost to get all the components together?

About as much as a pedal from the store. Maybe a little less, but you'll make up the price difference in your time, and probably exceed it by a lot.

I'll have to disagree there. For example, you can build a "Super hard on" aka, a clean boost, for about $25 in parts.

Looking at pricing at small bear:
$10 - pre-drilled aluminum case
$1 - breadboard
$10 - quality 3PDT switch
$1.25 - trim pot
$1 - knob
$3 - jacks

That's more than $25, and doesn't include any actual components.

You could throw it in a cookie tin and save $10, but then you're going to want a uni-bit to drill it out ($12). Of course, unless you buy a pre-drilled case, you're going to need that anyway. You could use a cheap 2PDT switch and probably save $6, and you could use some extremely cheap JFETs (201s are always classic and usually about .40), and the other parts are going to be maybe $2.00 total, assuming you go with the simplest design possible.

All this assumes you already have a soldering iron, solder, and wire and consider your time a learning experience and not an expense.

So sure, it's possible* to build the simplest gain circuit for under $25. Or, you could buy one new for $39. It would be in a better enclosure, with better soldering (sorry), and won't take any of your time.

While I've never cracked open a super-hard on, I'm pretty sure that it's not the same circuit as the ol' LPB-1, and would probably cost you a bit more. Likely not as much as zvex charges, but with him you're paying for the groovy paint job, which apparently some people like.


For $15 you can get any number of Danelectro distortions in plastic cases, some of which sound pretty good. Buy 2 for when the first one breaks and you're still only out $30.


The only reasons to roll your own are if you want to learn about these circuits, enjoy making things, or want to do something specific with the sound. The only instance in which you're guaranteed to save money is if you compare manufacturing a clone of a classic with buying a vintage one on ebay. But buying NOS parts isn't cheap, and that's still going to be an expensive recreation. Worth it, but not cheap.

if someone wants to build me a dearmond square wave...i'll...uh...we won't get into what i'll do.

I see where you're coming from, but let me steer you to my neighborhood.

Pedal Parts Plus has the essentials, including a New sensor/EHX enclosure for $5.50 or something, and a ROHS compliant 3pdt for $4.50 or something.

I suppose, if you haven't got a drill, that adds a bit, but I think predrilled boxes from PPP are like $8.

And yes, the SHO is a linear power booster (with tweaked component values) and a pair of diodes added.


And I'll admit, I'm a little detatched from the "starting pedals" situation, I drilled 11 cases last night, and insulated another 13 circuitboards.


Beware! If you start selling pedlas it becomes a lot less fun!

aen wrote:I see where you're coming from, but let me steer you to my neighborhood.

Pedal Parts Plus has the essentials, including a New sensor/EHX enclosure for $5.50 or something, and a ROHS compliant 3pdt for $4.50 or something.

I would be suspicious of a 3PDT switch for $4.50. There's no misery like a failed switch.

But hey - if, for the sake of argument, we agree that an LPB can be made for $25, I still don't think that's necessarily a big enough savings to be a financial motivator. The extra $14 you'd spend on a new EH micro isn't that much for what you get. So personally I don't buy the "it's cheaper to roll your own" argument. Too many asterisks after that statement.

And yes, the SHO is a linear power booster (with tweaked component values) and a pair of diodes added.

An additional pair of diodes? That's like 20% more components! HUGE increase.

I have a zvex fuzz factory, and it's great for what it is, but he does get away with a lot. "Boutique" is a very appropriate word, and not necessarily one I want associated with pedals myself. I'd probably be more sympathetic if it weren't for the hippy paint job, though.