1. These are the attenuators I use and recommend:
http://www.amazon.com/Harrison-Labs-Line-Level-Attenuator/dp/B0006N41B0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1373666346&sr=8-1&keywords=harrison+labs
I do NOT recommend trying the 3 dB or 6 dB versions.
2. If you buy the right equipment (which isn't expensive and will serve you well for a long time to come), watch a couple of YouTube videos on soldering, practice soldering for half an hour with some scrap pieces and follow the instructions (which include detailed pictures for EVERY step) carefully and methodically, then ANYONE can build a Crack.
In terms of what qualifies as the right equipment, I recommend the following:
- a basic temperature controlled soldering station (check Amazon or eBay, these are NOT expensive - and a digital display doesn't add anything over analog controls) - this should come with a soldering iron holder and a sponge
- 63/37 leaded solder with a rosin flux core (don't go for lead-free, silver or 60/40 solder
- wire strippers (the kind with holes marked for various wire gauges, it should have holes for 20, 22 and 24 AWG)
- a quality pair of flush-cut wire cutters (these are small, not the kind you use for cutting household electrical wire)
- some solder braid to take care of the inevitable mistakes
- high quality tweezers
Other things that come in handy: a magnifying glass, a penlight, forceps. I think that's it.
There are four rules when it comes to soldering:
1. FIRST establish a good physical connection, THEN solder in place.
2. Heat BOTH components you are looking to connect equally.
2. Adding a tiny bit of solder to the soldering iron tip before touching the components will help to conduct heat.
3. Add solder by touching the components, not the soldering iron tip. The solder is attracted to heat, and adding solder to cold components will give you a weak, brittle solder connection that will soon break or give you only intermittent contact.
I know soldering sounds difficult intimidating, but the Crack was my first soldering project and it worked the first time. And it sounds phenomenal and was an incredibly satisfying process.
IF YOU RUN INTO ANY PROBLEMS, DON'T GET FRUSTRATED. Post on the Bottlehead forums and the Bottlehead team will respond very quickly with detailed, helpful advice. They provide better service in their forums, then I've had from most places in person or over the phone. And if anything seems unclear, then again just post in the Bottlehead forum and you will get an answer.
You can easily build a Crack in two nights. Three if you go really slow and want to do some practicing first.
Best regards,
Adam
.
