Do i need a single or dual layer PCB? (Buying a PCB board for my first circuit.)?

Question

I'm making a guitar effects pedal. Here's a pdf that contains the printout of the board:
http://www.docdroid.net/wex6/tech12bassdriver.pdf.html

I don't quite understand if i need a single or dual layer PCB?

Should i get a dual layer PCB if i'm going to use through-hole components? (one side for tracing and putting the component leads through the other side towards the tracing)?

Or can the "heads" of my components just be out through the non-conductive side and the conductive side could have the tracing and component leads. (and dual-layer PCB's are only for those situations when all of your components don't fit on one side?)

Any information on the topic is very welcome. THANK YOU!

Answer 1

If you have fewer than 30 parts, just use a ball of parts.

The outer layer of components typically needs inch or more long leads, to allow access to the parts at the center.

A compromise would be two or 3 tiny boards, with two or 3 parts each in the ball = possibly helpful with hum and undesired vibration pick up.

A few blows with a sledge hammer, on a last century TV, or other electronics will often produce a suitable piece of single sided board that can be re used, after removing the old parts.

Answer 2

What I used to do is use a double-sided PCB and use one side for traces and the other side for a ground plane.

Proper grounding is THE BIGGEST thing you can do to reduce hum and noise in your circuit. And a ground plane is usually the best grounding solution. Avoiding ground loops by using star-grounding techniques is another. And since the signal coming out of a guitar is such a low voltage, it's very important in these types of circuits.

But normally a 2-sided PCB gives one more flexibility for component placement and trace routing. But if your just a hobbyist with a resist pen and etchant solution, it can be difficult(but not impossible) to line up pads on one side with pads on the other. The only other reason to use a one-sided PCB is cost reduction. But this is usually not important to a hobbyist doing a one-off project, as the cost difference is pretty small.

Answer 3

Could use Vero board if limited in number of components. If board is to fit inside guitar, I would use a specialized kit of parts as there is limited space. Cases could be obtained in UK from ESR Components,Farnell, Rapid Electronics, Quasar Electronics.

Answer 4

DUAL LAYERS BOARD HAS BETTER CHANCE TO BUILD MORE COMPLICATED CIRCUIT IN A SMALL BOARD.

Answer 5

You may find vero board easier and quicker.