DIY, Guitar Gear, Schematics & Amp projects
(photo: BYOC Wah Pedal Kit - Gear Gas Store
)
The DIY revolution is coming to guitar, effects pedal and amp modding! Time to spiff up your basic electronics knowledge and soldering skills! This looks like the next big buzz out here in guitar land as the prices on boutique gear climb higher & higher.
If you can already re-terminate a cable or re-solder your guitar jack's twisted off connections, chances are you can also save BIG $ by modding your own guitars, effects pedals and amps. After getting your feet wet with some small basic projects, you might then try building your own pedals and eventually even your own amp!
Note: No attempt to oversimplify here or insult the skilled professionals who design, build and market fine gear. This isn't Lego's folks! But those with the aptitude should be connected with the ever growing number of resources available both for learning & obtaining kits & components.
Below is an ongoing directory of suppliers and resources for guitar gear mods and projects.
Electronic Projects for Musicians by Craig Anderton
- The classic pedal DIY book we've seen for decades by GP mag's legendary pedal geek. This link takes you to Amazon where you'll see other Craig Anderton DIY books on digital effects, multi-effects and studio gear DIY projects.
5 Sweet Amp Mods I Wish I'd Thought of Myself - Resource article
DIYguitarist.com Huge free DIY resource site for all guitar gear. Includes discussion forum.
DIRTBOX - Resource site for pedal geeks. Includes forum, reviews & good DIY stuff!
Wiring Tools ref. Items you'll need in addition to small screwdrivers, needle nose pliers & side cutters.
www.youtube.com/user/CuriousInventor - The absolute BEST tutorial videos on soldering and de-soldering techniques. Fill any gaps in your soldering savvy!!!
Geargasstore - Parts, Kits and cool boutique pedals. Some of the wildest pedals out there!
Pedal Hackers Tone Center "We take your average effects and distortions and tweak them into something better. Kits are available for sale or we can mod your pedal for you. You can always contact us with any questions you may have." (check all their pages)
LuciBox "We stock Effects Pedal Parts, Guitar & Amp parts & EH Effects Pedals. Fasel Inductors, Potentiometers, Capacitors, Vintage Transistors, LEDs & Holders, LuciBox Swirl Painted Effects Pedal Boxes, Plain boxes, Knobs, Feet, Grommets, Logos, Upgrade kits, Switches, Jacks, Jack Plates, Footswitches, etc."
Mod Kits DIY -Supplier of complete parts kits for amps, pedals and mods. See full review at 300Guitars.com
Germanium-Transistors-AC128-NKT275 Actual eBay Store name, run by boutique pedal outfit Elite Tone. Get some steroids for your Fuzz Face or DIY projects!
www.buildyourownclone.com "Welcome to Build Your Own Clone. We are the world's premier manufacturer of professional quality do-it-yourself effects & electronics kits for guitarists... B.Y.O.C. offers a full line of DIY guitar effects kits that are based on some of the most famous circuits ever conceived and use top shelf components to provide you with superb sounding boutique level effects pedals that are both fun to build and save you money."
www.generalguitargadgets.com "General Guitar Gadgets - The DIY Stompbox Authority
Schematics, wiring diagrams and detailed instructions for the best DIY Stompbox Effects Projects on the internet. Ready-to-Solder PCBs or Complete Stompbox Kits are available for many of the projects. Contact us if you don't find what you're looking for. Check out our Blog Page for more "behind-the-scenes" information about General Guitar Gadgets."
JMI Music "The best guitar and amplifier parts on the planet. Authorized dealer for Seymour Duncan, Lindy Fralin, Fishman, Mercury Magnetics, Allparts, George L, THD, Weber, Mojo. We stock Tonepros, Gotoh, Schaller, Leo Quan, Celestion, Sperzel, Tung-sol, JJ, Electro Harmonix, Fender, Gibson and Bartolini."
CeriaTone Amplification "...home of quality and affordable guitar tube amp board kits. We at CeriaTone would be happy to serve your needs, whether you are a DIYer, an amp shop, or a boutique amp manufacturer. CeriaTone has classic circuits to offer, as well as custom made to clients' specifications.
We offer PTP boards, chassis, kits, and full working chassis. No order is too small for us, and we let you customize however way you want."
(supplies full chassis kits for most legendary amp designs)
AMPGARAGE.COM - The Amp Garage is a discussion forum site for amp builders. Those guys are serious over there-- all I see is TrainWreck & Dumble discussions, so if you wanna get down to the nitty gritty of how to build TONE, ya better get into The Amp Garage!
BitMo's eBay Store - Limited variety of cheaper mod kits for Epi Valve Jr. & Blackheart amps. Not so impressive but check 'em out anyway.
SOURMASH AMP CABINETS "Marshall style and custom speaker cabs. All cabs are made w/ 3/4" birch. All cabs are connected w/lap joints, glued and screwed. I'm now proud to offer WAREHOUSE GUITAR SPEAKERS in all my cabs at unbeatable prices. I also sell tolex, piping, handles, and feet." (He has Marshall type HEAD CABS to accomodate chassis builds.)
The Musican's Hardware Store
- Similar to Sourmash (above), but focusing on Fender style cabinets.
Stellartone Manufacturer of the Tonestyler direct replacement guitar tone control. These aren't simply "better pots". It's an improved design for enhanced tone variation. Visit the link and find out more about 'em. Click Here for the GP demo vid. Tonestylers swap directly with stock pots and require no batteries or added modification to your guitar. (see dealers below)
Stellartone Dealers:
Tricked Out Guitar
Providing the best parts and hardware for tricking out your Strat. Product lines include: Allparts, Q-Parts, Stellartone, Lindy Fralin, TV Jones, Seymour Duncan, Wilkinson, Mighty-Mite, Fender, Gibson, Custom Shop and more. Be sure to check out TOG's custom prewired pickguard assemblies in several yummy flavors.
RELATED DIRECTORIES:
Pimp Your Strat Directory Find Strat wiring Diagrams, parts & upgrades suppliers and other similar links.
Tubes & Amp Parts Directory Find new and NOS tubes, switches, pots, knobs, bulbs, boards material and other components at low cost.
Disclaimer: Stratoblogster will not not be responsible for the above merchants with regard to product quality, trademark or design patent issues.
(photo: BYOC Wah Pedal Kit - Gear Gas Store
The DIY revolution is coming to guitar, effects pedal and amp modding! Time to spiff up your basic electronics knowledge and soldering skills! This looks like the next big buzz out here in guitar land as the prices on boutique gear climb higher & higher.
If you can already re-terminate a cable or re-solder your guitar jack's twisted off connections, chances are you can also save BIG $ by modding your own guitars, effects pedals and amps. After getting your feet wet with some small basic projects, you might then try building your own pedals and eventually even your own amp!
Note: No attempt to oversimplify here or insult the skilled professionals who design, build and market fine gear. This isn't Lego's folks! But those with the aptitude should be connected with the ever growing number of resources available both for learning & obtaining kits & components.
Below is an ongoing directory of suppliers and resources for guitar gear mods and projects.
Electronic Projects for Musicians by Craig Anderton
- The classic pedal DIY book we've seen for decades by GP mag's legendary pedal geek. This link takes you to Amazon where you'll see other Craig Anderton DIY books on digital effects, multi-effects and studio gear DIY projects.5 Sweet Amp Mods I Wish I'd Thought of Myself - Resource article
DIYguitarist.com Huge free DIY resource site for all guitar gear. Includes discussion forum.
DIRTBOX - Resource site for pedal geeks. Includes forum, reviews & good DIY stuff!
Wiring Tools ref. Items you'll need in addition to small screwdrivers, needle nose pliers & side cutters.
www.youtube.com/user/CuriousInventor - The absolute BEST tutorial videos on soldering and de-soldering techniques. Fill any gaps in your soldering savvy!!!
Geargasstore - Parts, Kits and cool boutique pedals. Some of the wildest pedals out there!
Pedal Hackers Tone Center "We take your average effects and distortions and tweak them into something better. Kits are available for sale or we can mod your pedal for you. You can always contact us with any questions you may have." (check all their pages)
LuciBox "We stock Effects Pedal Parts, Guitar & Amp parts & EH Effects Pedals. Fasel Inductors, Potentiometers, Capacitors, Vintage Transistors, LEDs & Holders, LuciBox Swirl Painted Effects Pedal Boxes, Plain boxes, Knobs, Feet, Grommets, Logos, Upgrade kits, Switches, Jacks, Jack Plates, Footswitches, etc."
Mod Kits DIY -Supplier of complete parts kits for amps, pedals and mods. See full review at 300Guitars.com
Germanium-Transistors-AC128-NKT275 Actual eBay Store name, run by boutique pedal outfit Elite Tone. Get some steroids for your Fuzz Face or DIY projects!
www.buildyourownclone.com "Welcome to Build Your Own Clone. We are the world's premier manufacturer of professional quality do-it-yourself effects & electronics kits for guitarists... B.Y.O.C. offers a full line of DIY guitar effects kits that are based on some of the most famous circuits ever conceived and use top shelf components to provide you with superb sounding boutique level effects pedals that are both fun to build and save you money."
www.generalguitargadgets.com "General Guitar Gadgets - The DIY Stompbox Authority
Schematics, wiring diagrams and detailed instructions for the best DIY Stompbox Effects Projects on the internet. Ready-to-Solder PCBs or Complete Stompbox Kits are available for many of the projects. Contact us if you don't find what you're looking for. Check out our Blog Page for more "behind-the-scenes" information about General Guitar Gadgets."
JMI Music "The best guitar and amplifier parts on the planet. Authorized dealer for Seymour Duncan, Lindy Fralin, Fishman, Mercury Magnetics, Allparts, George L, THD, Weber, Mojo. We stock Tonepros, Gotoh, Schaller, Leo Quan, Celestion, Sperzel, Tung-sol, JJ, Electro Harmonix, Fender, Gibson and Bartolini."
CeriaTone Amplification "...home of quality and affordable guitar tube amp board kits. We at CeriaTone would be happy to serve your needs, whether you are a DIYer, an amp shop, or a boutique amp manufacturer. CeriaTone has classic circuits to offer, as well as custom made to clients' specifications.
We offer PTP boards, chassis, kits, and full working chassis. No order is too small for us, and we let you customize however way you want."
(supplies full chassis kits for most legendary amp designs)
AMPGARAGE.COM - The Amp Garage is a discussion forum site for amp builders. Those guys are serious over there-- all I see is TrainWreck & Dumble discussions, so if you wanna get down to the nitty gritty of how to build TONE, ya better get into The Amp Garage!
BitMo's eBay Store - Limited variety of cheaper mod kits for Epi Valve Jr. & Blackheart amps. Not so impressive but check 'em out anyway.
SOURMASH AMP CABINETS "Marshall style and custom speaker cabs. All cabs are made w/ 3/4" birch. All cabs are connected w/lap joints, glued and screwed. I'm now proud to offer WAREHOUSE GUITAR SPEAKERS in all my cabs at unbeatable prices. I also sell tolex, piping, handles, and feet." (He has Marshall type HEAD CABS to accomodate chassis builds.)
The Musican's Hardware Store
Stellartone Manufacturer of the Tonestyler direct replacement guitar tone control. These aren't simply "better pots". It's an improved design for enhanced tone variation. Visit the link and find out more about 'em. Click Here for the GP demo vid. Tonestylers swap directly with stock pots and require no batteries or added modification to your guitar. (see dealers below)
Stellartone Dealers:
Tricked Out Guitar
Providing the best parts and hardware for tricking out your Strat. Product lines include: Allparts, Q-Parts, Stellartone, Lindy Fralin, TV Jones, Seymour Duncan, Wilkinson, Mighty-Mite, Fender, Gibson, Custom Shop and more. Be sure to check out TOG's custom prewired pickguard assemblies in several yummy flavors.
RELATED DIRECTORIES:
Pimp Your Strat Directory Find Strat wiring Diagrams, parts & upgrades suppliers and other similar links.
Tubes & Amp Parts Directory Find new and NOS tubes, switches, pots, knobs, bulbs, boards material and other components at low cost.
More resources coming-- be sure to bookmark/add favorites!
Disclaimer: Stratoblogster will not not be responsible for the above merchants with regard to product quality, trademark or design patent issues.
If you didn’t read this at Stratoblogster.com Guitar Blog, it’s been bootlegged! ©2006 - 2013 JP Holesworth. All rights reserved. This article may not be reprinted, distributed or duplicated without author’s written permission.Pin It Now!
