SCA kits for first time DIYer?

[cletus]

Hey there! My first post here on the SCA forum, I have been a long time lurker though. So i'm seriously considering taking the plunge and was wondering how many of you tackled these kits as an intro to building pre's and what not. I have soldered cable but never endeavored to build a pre before. I have heard such good things about all the SCA pre's. I would be starting off with one A12 and one N72. I don't even currently own a soldering iron and have no idea what kind of workstation to get (Recomendations?). I don't think I can help myself even if it might be really difficult for a first timer. Any inspirational stories of first time success? Thanks!

[cletus]

Where's the love? I know someone's got something to add here. C'mon don't be shy? An inquiring mind would like to know!

[yavuz]

Where's the love? I know someone's got something to add here. C'mon don't be shy? An inquiring mind would like to know!

Hi,

I am a first timer.
I had only soldered guitar pickups nothing else...
I bought cheap practice boards from Radio Shack when I had orderd my pres. Then, I was ready when they came.
Extreme care, patience is the key.
I found that good tools help when you are not good at what you are doing.
Buy a good soldering station, good solder (Suggested 63/37 solder).
buy a very good digital multi meter.
Also, being new, buy good desoldering tools like solder wick and solder sucker. I have both.
Wiring the power cables is tedious and not so easy.
There are alternative poer connectors.
Do a serch here.
I would have gone with that option if I had known about them before.

Pay great attention to capacitor markings and resistor colors.
I have made many mistakes even though I was extremely patient and careful.
On the positive side, I have finished 8 Mike pres without having to send even one of them back for repair.

I have built 4 X C84s, 2 X N72s, 2 J99s.


Now some inspiration...

These three links are the test recordings that I have made with the pres I have built. I suggest you listen to these before you buy to decide which is right for you.

C 84
J 99
N 72

Good luck.
Here are some pics;

[craigmorris74]

I build an N72, which I think is supposed to be the hardest to build, and with a little patience and Tim's help, got it working fine. I should add that I'm semi-retarded when it comes to soldering (I'm sooo shaky) and have a mediocre understanding of electronics (can identify all the parts, know what they do, have no idea how they work together).

I would definately practice beforehand on some beginner kit (from RadioShack) with a PCB. Learn how to desolder parts. And once you get your kits work slowly, double and triple check your work (the major problem I had was I left a wire off the input transformer!). If you do this, I think you'll be fine.

Craig

[timmcallister]

I would be starting off with one A12 and one N72.

thats what I ordered. Got them in today, i'll let ya know how it goes

[Royce]

I came in with virtually no experience and didn't have too much trouble. Just takes some patience and the ability to follow directions..

For the soldering station, I bought the Hakko 936 -- very nice unit that i would highly recommend.