The Jeds Peds Watermelon Sugar is a DIY overdrive pedal kit from the UK kit maker Jeds Peds. The maker describes its range as running from "clean boost to thick drive," placing it among overdrive pedals rather than distortion pedals or fuzz pedals, and sums up the tones as "American-esque blues tones in a box."1
From clean boost to thick drive
The circuit's gain range is wide enough that Jeds Peds added switchable gain controls to it. The maker explains the decision this way1:
"so much that I decided that we needed to add switchable gain controls to make the most of this versatility"1
Those added controls bring two extra knobs and, in the maker's words, "an extra footswitch for good measure," so the finished pedal carries more switching than a straightforward overdrive.1
For comparison, the maker states that "This kit compares to the Free the Tone String Slinger." That is Jeds Peds' own reference point for the circuit, not an endorsement from Free the Tone.1
Versions and what each includes
The kit is sold in five stages, so a builder can take on as much of the work as they want1:
| Version | What you get |
|---|---|
| PCB Only | Just the plain PCB |
| PCB & Components | PCB with the components to solder |
| PCB & Components and off board parts | Adds the off board parts |
| Full Kit | The complete kit |
| Full Kit & Drilling | Full Kit with drilled enclosure as an optional extra |
Drilling is not included with the Full Kit by default. It is an optional extra with a small surcharge, and where chosen it covers all the holes needed for a complete pedal.1
Enclosure, knobs and the pre-built option
The kit is designed for a JP1590BB sized case with top mounted jacks and power, so plan the layout around five control holes plus the extra footswitch. Jeds Peds suggests medium sized knobs for the five control positions.1
The Pre Built Option is built to order and ships with no knobs. Jeds Peds does not accept returns on pre built items, but the pedal carries a 12 month warranty if it develops a fault.1
The pre-built version is priced at £85.00. It suits players who want the circuit without soldering, while the kit stages suit builders who want to assemble it themselves.1
Where it sits among Jeds Peds kits
Jeds Peds sells a range of DIY kits alongside the Watermelon Sugar, including the Weighty, Symbolisation, Nepotist, Dowager, Zendaya kit, Para Para Paradise, Harolds, Plexi, Blue Beret, Fred and English Gent. The Watermelon Sugar is the maker's overdrive entry, aimed at American style blues tones.1
Questions
Is the Jeds Peds Watermelon Sugar a kit or a finished pedal?
It is primarily a DIY guitar effects pedal kit, sold in several stages from a plain PCB up to a Full Kit with an optional drilling service. Jeds Peds also offers a Pre Built Option, built to order, priced at £85.00. Pre-built units ship without knobs and cannot be returned, though they carry a 12 month warranty.
What enclosure size does the Watermelon Sugar kit fit?
The kit is designed for a JP1590BB sized case with top mounted jacks and power. Because the build uses five knobs plus an extra footswitch, planning the enclosure layout matters, and Jeds Peds suggests medium sized knobs for the five control positions.
How many knobs does the Watermelon Sugar need?
Five. The maker's product page states that you will need 5 knobs for the kit and suggests medium sized ones. The two extra controls and extra footswitch come from the switchable gain controls Jeds Peds added to make the most of the circuit's gain range.
What pedal is the Watermelon Sugar compared to?
Jeds Peds states that the kit compares to the Free the Tone String Slinger. This is the maker's own comparison for reference, not an endorsement, and the circuit is sold as a Jeds Peds design.
Does the pre-built Watermelon Sugar come with knobs?
No. The Pre Built Option is built to order and ships with no knobs. Because the kit is then no longer a kit, Jeds Peds does not accept returns on pre built items, but a 12 month warranty applies if the pedal develops a fault.
Is drilling included with the Full Kit?
No, drilling is an optional extra for the Full Kit with a small surcharge. Where chosen, it covers all the holes needed for a complete pedal, which suits builders who do not want to drill their own JP1590BB enclosure.
Sources (1)
- Watermelon Sugar, Jeds Peds (jedspeds.co.uk)
