Stompbox 1.0



Stomp box made from a Musician's Friend shipping box, cardboard tubing (using inside for support), and packing tape.  

A contact pickup from Radio Shack is placed on the box with double-sided tape.




Wire is soldered to the pickup.  

A pill bottle is used for the 1/4" jack.
This was my dad's idea from a previous pickup experiment.  

The signal is processed with a tube compressor (could also use a preamp).  

The signal is routed through a patchbay.  

Technique: The box above is played with the right foot. I used the box almost as a footrest with both feet on the top. This helped with my posture while also allowing me to play without the box sliding across the room.

The signal is inputted to the Roland VS-1680, where EQ is applied. One problem with the carboard prototype was caused by the plastic tape that I used. I got a "sticky" tape sound along with the more thud-like stomp. This could be avoided with paper-based tape, or glue. Using my left foot to dampen the box helped keep the stickiness to a minimum. My next prototype will be wood, eliminating the stickiness completely.