Friday, June 7, 2013

Is ABS a strong enough material to make a guitar effects pedal from?

guitar effects pedal
 on Ibanez TS808 tube screamer guitar effects pedal
guitar effects pedal image



Matt Holla


I am looking at making a guitar effects pedal which will have a foot operated button on top. ABS can look quite nice and is cheaper than other possible materials. Is this a suitable material? Will it take my weight? Will it crack? Will it scratch?


Answer
Cosmetically and physically ABS will work if it's thick enough. I had a wah pedal built into what was essential a square sectioned plastic gutter down-pipe which was pretty durable but I wouldn't recommend it for gigging, however............. For electrical reasons it's better to mount the pedal in a metal enclosure such as a die cast or pressed aluminium box. The reason is you keep hum and extraneous signals (like radio) out of the unit especially if it's a high gain circuit such as a distortion or fuzz pedal. Also if you make the internal circuit with sturdy construction then you make your pedal "roadie" proof and still able to operate even if some IQ zero plays soccer with it.



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