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How to Modify Stomp Boxes

Stomp boxes are effects units typically used with guitars, including acoustic, electric and bass guitars. To activate an effect, you press a switch with your foot. Most stomp boxes also include other controls, such as knobs, for modifying the effect. If you want to create an original effect or improve the sound of a stomp box, you can modify the electronics, but you should only do so if you understand how the circuit works.

Things You'll Need

  • Screwdriver
  • Soldering iron
  • Desoldering braid
  • Electronic components
  • Solder
  • Wire clippers
  • Wire
  • Wire strippers
  • Drill
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Instructions

  1. Open the Stomp Box

    • 1

      Remove the power supply, such as batteries or the AC adapter, from the stomp box.

    • 2

      Remove the screws holding the stomp box together with a screwdriver.

    • 3

      Pull off the stomp box's cover.

    • 4

      Pull the circuit out of the stomp box.

    Replace Electronic Components

    • 5

      Place the tip of a hot soldering iron and desoldering braid on the joint of an electronic component you want to remove.

    • 6

      Remove the soldering iron and desoldering braid from the circuit board when the solder is on the desoldering braid.

    • 7

      Place electronic components in the holes in the circuit board. Use the side of the circuit board that isn't used for soldering.

    • 8

      Flip the circuit board to the soldering side.

    • 9

      Bend the component's leads to secure them. Do not bend pins on microchips.

    • 10

      Place the tip of a hot soldering iron and solder on the copper joint where the component meets the circuit board. Remove the soldering iron and solder from the board when the melted solder has secured the component to the circuit board.

    • 11

      Trim the component's leads with wire clippers.

    Add Electronic Components

    • 12

      Strip both ends of a piece of wire with wire strippers until 1/4 inch of wire is exposed. Repeat this process for all of the required wire. For example, if you're adding a single pole single throw (SPST) switch, you need two pieces of stripped wire. If you're adding resistors, capacitors or other through-hole components with long leads, you might not need wire.

    • 13

      Solder one end of the wire to the component you're adding.

    • 14

      Solder the remaining end of the wire to a copper track on the circuit board.

    Finish the Stomp Box

    • 15

      Drill holes into the stomp box if you added external components, such as switches and knobs. Each hole is the same width as the external part of the component. For example, if you added a potentiometer, the width of the hole is equal to the width of the potentiometer's shaft.

    • 16

      Put the circuit board inside the stomp box. Pull external components through the drilled holes, if necessary.

    • 17

      Screw the cover onto the stomp box.

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