May 2007
I decided to take the plunge into pedal building after I built my first amp. I love the sound of a JCM800, but sometimes I need a little more gain and sustain for leads. I decided I would build a very classic but simple clean boost pedal - the MXR Microamp. It is an incredibly easy build especially after building an amp.

I ordered a ready to solder circuit board from General Guitar Gadgets. These guys are awesome. They have tons of kits, layouts, and schematics to choose from. They also ship super quickly which is great for an anxiety ridden, impatient old rocker like me. Here's the board I received:

I also ordered a predrilled 1290 pedal enclosure and some various other parts from Pedal Parts Plus. This company also has a great selection of items and ships fast too. I ordered the box in the metal finish (which you will see in some of the shots) but I decided later to polish the aluminum like the motorcycle guys do. My only conundrum to figure out is why is it that pedal building supply stores use aliteration when naming their companies? Hmmmmm.....

I assembled the circuit board using the layout from General Guitar Gadgets (I don't see it on there anymore?). I already had most of the parts. I decided to use a chip socket instead of soldering the chip directly to the PCB. I heard there were several other op amp chips that could be substituted. I ended up using a TL061.

I like my stuff heavy duty as you know from my amp builds, so instead of using plastic stick-on standoffs as many pedal builders do, I drilled 2 holes in the enclosure and used screws as stand-offs to have the circuit board ride over the gain potentiometer.

I used the finished board to adjust the standoffs to the right height.

After I adjusted the standoffs I removes the board and installed the rest of the components. Notice this was the first time I put it together when the box was gun metal blue!

I then put the potentiometer in the hole, and then layed the board back onto the stand-offs.

I soldered everything up as indicated in the layout. Here is the pedal completed!

After it was together for awhile I decided to polish the enclosure. I pulled all of the guts out and wet sanded the enclosure with.

Finished!

Clips soon!

Other Pedal Builds:
General Guitar Gadgets ITS8 Ibanez Tubescreamer TS808 Clone

Amp Builds:
Rachelle Prototype
Rachelle - My one-of-a-kind personal amp
Buy a Rachelle amp!

Check out my current band:
The Hornrims

If you live in the Tampa Area go see my new rock musical in 2009!
Pericles

Buy some of my old music! Support my kids dance lessons!
- Joe Popp
- dogs on ice



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