Q for pedal builders - noob here!

TTony

First off, this is my *first* pedal build.  Thought I'd do something as a lockdown build.

It's an Eagle Claw Overdrive from FuzzDog.
https://shop.pedalparts.co.uk/Eagle_Claw_Overdrive/p847124_17569983.aspx

All done, all works, but it's not 100%, hence the questions.

Q1:  I've followed the pictures to build it.
http://pedalparts.co.uk/docs/EagleClaw.pdf
*Why* do they have 2 x LEDs on the underside of the board?  Surely they're not going to be visible from there?  And why *2* LEDs, isn't one enough?
But I didn't think of that as I was busy soldering everything in place, as per the pictures!  So, Q2 ...

Q2:  Having soldered all the components onto the main board, I then moved on to the daughterboard.  It appears that I should have kept one of the LEDs back for the daughterboard, plus the CLR.  But (a) which LED and (b) which is the CLR?  

Q3:  Rather than unsoldering the LED and CLR from the main board, can I just add extra ones to the daughterboard and leave the existing ones in-situ?

Q4:  Any good sources for odd LEDs and resistors, or is any eBay seller as good as any other?

TIA !!

WeZ84

1) it looks like the circuit is using those 2 LEDs as clipping diodes rather than as indicator lights. So you aren’t meant to be able to see them - different types of diodes clip the audio waveform differently so in this case LEDs have been used.

2) when I did my fuzzdog kits there was an extra LED and resistor left over for the daughterboard so maybe they forgot to pack them. When I had some parts missing in one kit I let fuzzdog know and they sent them out.

I think the LED for the daughterboard is smaller than the type used on the main board so I don't think you'll need to desolder anything.

TTony

Cheers @WeZ84 ;

Fuengi

From memory I think the Rat Clone that Fuzzdog uses a couple of LEDs as part of the circuit too. I believe it is part of the original circuit design. 

ICBM

1 - yes, the LEDs are used as the clipping diodes. LEDs have a softer turn-on characteristic so they produce a smoother, more valve-like clipping than standard silicon or germanium diodes.

2/3 - CLR: Current Limiting Resistor for the LED. It's entirely separate from the effect circuit really, so it's not on the main board. If the extra LED and resistor weren't supplied with the kit you'll need to get suitable ones. The right resistor value depends on what colour LED you use and how bright you want it to be, but something between 1K and 4K7 should be about right.

4 - Ebay is fine for small quantities. It's usually not economical if you need a lot of parts but if you're only buying a few it often works out the cheapest.

poopot

I have a few leds and the right resistors.

Can pop one of each in the post if you like.

No idea what colour the leds are, you takes ya chances!!!!

TTony

What excellent service from FuzzDog!!

I pinged them a message via their contact form this morning.

30mins later, I've got a reply saying that looks like they missed the LED, so there'll be one in the post, plus another 2k2 CLR. tomorrow.

Guess where I'll be going for my next pedal build kit ...

poopot

Lee is the best out there for kits and service tbh!.

stickyfiddle

Yep - there's a reason he's *always* people's first recommendation. Top company

PeteC

If you need any odd resistors or caps etc let me know as i have thousands accumulated from amp building over the years.  I can pop in the post for free Tony 

TTony

Thanks @PeteC - will do.

I remember in the early days of guitar building, people would say "use a piece of scrap".  But I was just starting out - I had no scrap!

It's a similar stage for my electronics dabbling ... I've not accumulated any odds & ends yet. 

I'm not planning on building loads of pedals, this was really just a lockdown project (that I didn't find time for in lockdown #1) and a bit of soldering practice.  Although pedals do take up a LOT less space than guitars ...

PeteC

Very true @TTony -  since you lot got me started i now need to buy another 5 guitar cases !  Seriously though if you ever need any bits and bobs just drop me a pm 

djspecialist

I've been looking for an EQD Talons, and came across this post. @TTony what did you think of the finished pedal?

TTony

@djspecialist ;

To be completely honest, it worked, which was all I was hoping for!  

How does it compare to X, Y or Z pedals?  I'd really have no idea because I've never tried any of them (I'm not much of a pedalist).  But for the price, and an hour or two of my time, I'm more than happy with it.

For me, the fun was 2/3rds making it and 1/3rd using it.  

tanihhiavlt

Now you've got ta post pics of your soldering for people to "advise" you on  

I found pedal wiring made guitar wiring seem a lot simpler

djspecialist

Thanks @TTony . I think I might give this a go!