Soldering and/or electronics wizard wanted

I recommend Instructables, a web series with tons of projects and how-to stuff. It is an off-shoot of Make Magazine, which I also recommend.

Would the as-yet-unnamed Soldering Wizard take two apprentices? I'm interested in these same things. If only there were a hackerspace for hosting such an event!

You could start with one of the hobby electronics kits they sell at RadioShack. They also sell books that give the run down on components like transistors, capacitors, etc.  Good practice with little risk of damaging something important to you. Doing one of those gave me enough confidence to at least take on simple electronics repairs at home.  Never tried anything on the scale of what you're describing though.  Some sites sell DIY effects pedal kits and such which I've always wanted to try.  Good luck!

There are a few resources on the web like these:

generalguitargadgets.com
buildyourownclone.com
diystompboxes.com

Start with low voltage stuff.

Also, I'd start with messing around on some software synths to figure out the basics of signal generators, filters, envelopes, etc. before diving in and trying to make a hardware one from scratch. Understanding the theory of how a synth makes a specific sound is important and different to the stuff that goes on at a component level. 

Good luck!

It sounds like you all should participate in the local maker collective / hackerspace ... wait! There isn't one. It's been talked about a lot, but no one has stepped up and said, "I'll be the organizer." I would join a group and help such a thing into being but I can't be the organizer.

My husband does that kind of stuff. I don't know about the specific projects you mention, but he fixes computers and occasionally is soldering things as part of that. He also is super nice and is frequently hanging out helping friends with car stuff or computer stuff, so an informal hanging out and sharing skills thing would be right up his alley. He doesn't think he's a good teacher, but I think he is.

Anyway. Yeah. Chris.Bollman @ me.com. I will tell him I posted this so he doesn't get confused.

I might be up to helping. E-mail me at m8r-milhal @ mailinator.com.

I'm not up to doing circuit design or PCB engraving, but I'm willing to show the basics of soldering.

Tim, Jacob, & Rouge: That's the point I'm at right now. I actually cut my teeth on that instructable a while ago (and some YouTube videos). But my joints seem to just ... well, suck. I might be a bit slow on the upswing, I learn a lot better from actual interaction and feedback so that's where I'm at. 

I actually have been messing with synthesis for quite some time (and I love it) but I have a few projects in my head I would like to pursue, so here I am! 

All ya'lls input is greatly appreciated!

It seems I am not alone in this! 

If I find a tutor would people be interested in renting a space out to an experimental teach in? I did this a while ago in my old place of residence (we were all pissing in the dark with circuit bending -- cool sounds, but zero to minimal documentation and finalization) but yeah, we all had fun and learned a bit through near blind experimentation.

I'll get a hold of you rev!