I noticed that all of the resistors have a copper-colored band.  In galaxiex's pics, I noticed two out of 3 times, the copper band in on top, but once, it's on the bottom.  Just making sure it doesn't matter.

Those pics really saved me from trying to figure out which were the right resistors from my huge pile!!   :tu:

Spent yesterday painting the living room and dining room, with a bit more to go, but I'm hoping to get somewhere with this today!

Roly:  I have zero soldering experience.  I will watch many youtube videos and will enlist the help of my husband.  The idea of surprising him with this is long gone, given my repeated trips to RadioShack and my sudden obsession with my iPad and this site.  LOL.  He's very excited for the results and asked yesterday if I'll ever be able to make him a stomp box.  So, don't worry about me disappearing after this build is done (I'm sure you were all terrified of that. LOL). I sense a new thread a'comin'.

I have been using Tapatalk to post any pics, b/c I can't do it through this site, for some reason.  But I generally read the threads through the site.  What is wrong with Tapatalk?

I am viewing on my iPad, and it has been working out so far.  Enables me to enlarge pics easily to see detail.

Going to try to catch up to galaxiex.  Really appreciate the step-by-step photos.   <3)

And OMG, how do I figure out which resistor is which from my ridiculous collection???

Possible roadblock:


C2: 100uF Mine does not look like galaxiex's; it has leads (?) coming out of both ends.  Do I need to exchange it for something else? 

How do I delete a post I started to draft and then changed my mind on?? It doesn't give a cancel option that I can see.

Good morning!  Thanks, galaxiex, for posting step by step pics...Using then along side Roly's diagram is helping me get started.  Soooo, I just realized that your diagram is only using 1/2 the board, up until the solid line of pads (sorry...I tried to go through the thread to find the correct terminology, but there's too much info for me to find it.  LOL).  If you were sitting with me right now, you'd be laughing at how often I am saying, out loud, "Ohhhh!" as I reread what you've written and actually put things together.  It makes a lot more sense when it's actually necessary to understand for the build. 
I actually understand now how you labeled the board, too.  Sorry for saying they didn't match!  Even with all of your explanations as to why it does, it was not until this moment (actually working on it) that the light bulb went off. At least it did, right?  :dbtu:

I ordered a Helping Hand that should be here on Monday.  I think this is definitely a necessary tool, as [someone--sorry, again I can't find you in the thread!] mentioned earlier.  I am curious as to whether you trim the ends off of things like the capacitor, since the are so long.  Don't worry--I'm not cutting anything.  Just wondering.

Taking pics as I go, too.  Will post when I have something that looks like galaxiex's.  :tu:

Hey galaxiex,

Thanks for the post.  The challenge with communicating through writing is that the tone and inflection get lost...I'll be sure to use more of the emoticons in the future.    I was being playful with the comment about feeling pressured, though I am intimated to get this thing going. (Not because of you guys...my own nerves about the unknown, getting zapped (LOL), and wanting to do well with this, even if it takes many attempts).  I appreciate the supportive words  and now promise to stop apologizing for my limited knowledge and just ask questions, so that the posts don't become about building me up and rather about building the amp. 

You all have been awesome at providing me guidance and answering my many questions.  I am psyched to show you what I can do.  :tu:

Now I just need to know if the difference in the number of solder pads on my board and Roly's directions matters.  How do I compensate...do I have to move things over in any way? Thanks!

Thanks, DrGonz78!  Etiquette question:  Should I wait to post a new question until someone addresses the old one?

I fear I will drive you all crazy soon.  I did not see anywhere in the Ruby plans that I need a socket for the LM386.  Is this something I need to purchase?

Ok.  So I think this would help me a bit to understand the basics.  On the circuit board I have, there are 23 holes going across (held horizontally) and they are "grouped" in twos (vertically) by a gold band.  Then there are 3 individual circles (vertically), followed by 3 circles grouped by a gold band, and a line of circles going horizontally across the board, all grouped by the gold band.  It's repeated on the other side, in the opposite layout.  Roly, your schematics for me has a row of 20 across and goes a-j (10 down).  If I were to label my circuit board, it would 23 across and have 13 holes down, a-m.  How does this affect the build and following your plan, if at all?  What's the difference between the individual circles and the ones grouped by the gold bands? 

Told ya...beeeeggggginnnnnnerrrrrr.  LOL!

Is it necessary for me to mark the board "+/-" the way galaxiex did?  If so, please explain how I should be using the positive and negative sides differently.  How will I know what part of the item goes on which side? Thanks!

So now I am really feeling the pressure to get started!  I know you called yourself a beginner, galaxiex, but you definitely know more than I do just based on what you are already doing and the lingo you use.   I am a bit intimidated by this whole thing, but am feeling motivated by your motivation.  I am going to try to put something together now and will post as I go.  I am going to stick with Roly's plans...more of a "Ruby for Dummies," which I am and need in this instance. (And it has my name on it :dbtu:)  I ordered my 1K Pot on Amazon today and should have it by Saturday (gotta love Prime!).  Still need a couple of other pieces, but I appreciate the ability to build around them just to get my feet wet. 

Wish me luck!

You. Are. Awesome.

And this is the Circuit Board I purchased.  Will it work?

Also need to buy a speaker, which I keep forgetting to factor in!