Electronic Projects for Musicians | DIY Music Electronics Guide for Guitarists and Engineers | Build Guitar Effects, Tone Controls, Mixers & More | Step-by-Step Instructions with Online Audio Access

This book was last published in the 1980s, so proceed (or not) accordingly. That said, it's great for what it is, and some of these projects have been mainstays of my guitar effects arsenal. It's also very good basic primer on old school (70s to 80s) guitar electronics, and some very well designed projects along those lines. Unfortunately, kits may no longer be available for some of the more useful of these projects, such as the Super Tone Control and Spluffer (splitter/buffer). The Super Tone Control, for example, is a parametric equalizer that can really, really open up the tone of my little Vibro Champ amp, and give it some real bottom end. One might check out PAIA electronics, which used to supply the kits via mail order, and has a web site, to see what they may have on hand. Otherwise, you'd have to cobble together the parts from online suppliers, but the lists provided with each project are comprehensive, and I'd expect such basic parts or their equivalents to be available. The basic concepts and projects are explained very well, suitable for a beginner.

I've been around stomp boxes for a few years now (I worked at 4 Guitar Centers and was consistently the 'go-to' guy in the guitar accessories/effects department) and have had a chance to hear good natural sounding botique type pedals and really compressed not so great pedals. For me, this motivated me to get into building stompboxes. The book is really easy to follow. Topics covered include: * Tools to have in your electronics lab * Straight forward schematics and projects * Concepts of electronics * Component overviews Be warned: This book is not intended to teach the mathematics and calculations down to a component level. It touches on basic ideas but in order to understand this book's contents, it might be beneficial to have some prior exposure to electronics to really understand it (ie: schematically literate, able to assemble circuits, etc...). Overall, an amazing value! After reading online reviews, I understand why this book is a standard in hobbyist's and professional's workbenches :)

I lost my old copy and had to buy a new one, if you are interested in DIY audio electronics this is a MUST HAVE! The biggest bonus for me in the book is how Anderton describes how the circuits work, rather than just showing you a BOM, schematic, and a layout. LOVE LOVE LOVE this book and still refer to it quite often!

This book is awesome. I started building my own effects pedals and found this book cited online. I understood enough to not really need the first four chapters covering the basics, but I wished I had had them when starting, they do an excellent job. The projects are a pretty cool collection - I never would have thought to do some of them, like the passive tone control circuit using an inductor. This book is great if you want to get into building circuit diagrams you find online, as these circuits are a bit simpler and more thoroughly explained. The book is slightly dated, but a few projects in so far I've not run into any unavailable parts or anything.

The info is good and schematics valid and useful. My only complaint it that it is 1980’s material. For nostalgia it is good but if you are looking for modern then this is not for you.

Good for guitarists, moderately informative about the theory of audio circuits, not as useful for people looking for circuits to use with synths. Some of the info seems somewhat dated (~1980s?).

Bought this book in the 80's and built a few of the circuits with modifications. Excellent resource for musicians who want to roll their own, so to speak. Even if you've never soldered before. I would only suggest breadboarding circuits to see how they sound (and to tinker with them) before committing to hardwire.

Craig Anderton has long been one of my favorite authors in the field of electronic music. His articles in "Keyboard" magazine, PAiA Electronics' "Polyphony", now "Electronic Musician" magazine are well-known. His articles have been inspiring for a long time, and "Electronic Projects for Musicians" is a summation of simple but effective small projects and accessories useful to anyone with a DIY spirit.