Guitar Gear Forum

While browsing the forums the other day, I ran across a post from Mike LX-R concerning a desire to build the Mad Bean Low Rider pedal. I started looking at it, and decided I wanted to try it. This isn't my first build, so far, I've completed a SLO-100 Clone, a JCM800 clone, a modified tubescreamer clone, several different boosts and a pedal power supply. In this thread, I'm going to go into detail about how I go about building pedals. I'll show how I come up with the Bill of materials, component choices, build pics and costs associated.
Today, I just placed an order to Mouser electronics for most of the components I'll need for the build. When you purchase the PCB from Madbean pedals, there is a .pdf file that contains the schematic, component values, PCB layout, Enclosure layout, and helpful hints and mods. Later this evening, when I'm bored at work, I'll pull up the BOM I created and post it here. Hope you guys enjoy it:
Bilbo

Cool - looking forward to it

Nice!

I bought a soldering station a few months ago …

It's still boxed up.

I thought I talked about having someone build me the Pearl Octaver...?

yeah the madbean stuff has really good documentation and I like that he does a lot of his layouts so you can mount the pots, really makes it easier and cleaner inside.

Mike LR-X The Mad Bean Lowrider is the Pearl Octaver clone. Let's get started. Finished up ordering all the parts Here is a cost breakdown of everything needed for my build:

I used Mouser and Small Bear Electronics almost exclusively for my amp clones. They have a bill of materials importer that makes it real nice if you know exactly what parts you want. For this build, I'm using Vishay/Dale Metal film precision resistors, Murata multilayer ceramic capacitors, Nichicon Electrolytic Caps, and assorted brands of transistors, diodes, Ic's and hardware. I'm not gonna feed you guys any lines, I went with these brands because I thought they would look cool. These are well respected brands, with high quality parts. When I was building my tube screamer clone, I played around a lot with different resistors, caps and diodes and found that I couldn't tell the difference in tone from a carbon comp resistor vs a metal film of the same value, soooo I just buy what's not on backorder and\or convenient. I know gear page will argue with me on this, but I'm playing for me and 50 to 100 drunks in a bar that are more concerned with the hot chick flashing her boobs at the singer than whether or not my tone rivals Eric Johnson's. Soooo here is my order from Small Bear electronics, if you guys are interested I'll make an excel file with the mouser part numbers and prices also:

You'll notice I used a "factory second" for my enclosure. I've ordered 5 or 6 of these so far and really haven't been able to tell what was wrong with it. Color is random, but that doesn't really matter to me. Here is the template from Mad Beans that gives the pedal layout:

Here is the bill of materials from Mad Bean. My only criticism of Mad Bean, is that they don't really supply you with all the information needed to order the parts. Unless you have a background in electronics, this is probably where most people who order the boards quit.



It doesn't tell you power ratings on resistors, what type of resistor it is, voltage ratings on capacitors, and what type of capacitor it is. It kind of tells you that the pots are linear, but only if you're familiar with Potentiometers. It also uses the n (nano) for farads in the caps. Most retailers sell caps in pf or uf (pico farads or micro farads) so you have to convert from nano to either pico or micro.

Wow looks like a pearl octave is going for around $300. This build will cost me around $65. I'm not sure how it will stack up vs the real thing, but the youtube demo's of this build are pretty cool.

bilbo71070 wrote:Here is the bill of materials from Mad Bean. My only criticism of Mad Bean, is that they don't really supply you with all the information needed to order the parts. Unless you have a background in electronics, this is probably where most people who order the boards quit.



It doesn't tell you power ratings on resistors, what type of resistor it is, voltage ratings on capacitors, and what type of capacitor it is. It kind of tells you that the pots are linear, but only if you're familiar with Potentiometers. It also uses the n (nano) for farads in the caps. Most retailers sell caps in pf or uf (pico farads or micro farads) so you have to convert from nano to either pico or micro.

Some of his noob level stuff have all that info, I think Brian figures once you're past noob level, you know what you need and if a certain build requires something different, he will put it in the instructions. He also has the forum which is filled with very helpful people who can answer any questions for someone new starting out. I've never seen anyone on that forum be rude or dick to someone, it's a good place.
I think for someone starting out, their best bet to get their feet wet is buying a complete kit from GGG or BYOC instead of trying to source their own parts.
Can't wait to see your build picks, that's been one of those PCB's I've wanted to pick up from him, but I still have a couple builds I haven't even started yet. I need to get working on my harbinger (univibe) before I take on another build.

Good points, Never really went to the forum. I'll have to check it out. Most of the DIY sites are very helpful. I've only had one bad experience with somebody online while working on a build. There was a guy that really came off as a dick when I built my SLO100, but other than that everyone I've come into contact with has been extremely helpful. It's a waiting game now, Parts should be in Monday or Tuesday.

I have built 4 madbean pedals...All sound great. I have 40 more of his PCB's sitting at the house waiting on me

Love his forum too. Good luck!