GuitarPCB.com provides some general information to teach "how to build a pedal" followed by instructions for each project which focuses on "building this specific pedal." Each build document conveys the build-specific information, without those details getting lost in a sea of "how to build any pedal."
General pedal building documents include the following, which are not covered in-depth within pedal-specific documents:
- What kind of soldering iron to use / what type of solder / other soldering techniques
- How to use Part Codes to identify values for Resistors, Capacitors, and Trimmer Potentiometers
- Pin numbers for Integrated Circuits (ICs)
- Why you may need a stereo jack for your mono pedal
- Why there are 3 lugs on a power jack when there is only +9V and Ground
- How to take voltage readings for troubleshooting
- Much, Much More!
If you have never built a pedal, start by reading the GuitarPCB.com Crash Course documents and familiarize yourself with the other available documentation under the "General Pedal Building Instructions" below. Then, before turning on your soldering iron, you should completely read the instructions that are specific to your kit.
If you find a link to a document which does not work, please use the Contact form and let us know so we can update the link right away. All of these documents are also available on the GuitarPCB.com website (see their store for the PCB for your project).
A Note on Printed Kit Documentation: We do not included printed documentation with kits. Please use the links below to access the build document for your kit. Note that the 3PDT board has its own build document if you need more guidance on that accessory board.
General Build Guides: Newbies start here, then read the build document for your specific project.
The Beginners Build Guide courtesy of Trom1.
The Beginners Guide to Components courtesy of Billy
The Crash Course Guide courtesy of several members.
The GuitarPCB Guide – Tonmann Version