SOLVED Starboard Fuzz- thin/low volume

Cvp1969

New member
It’s seems to be the simple builds giving me issues.

I just did the Starboard Fuzz. It’s thin and lower in volume than the guitar. I checked everything. Components, point to point continuity. Checked everything a few times. Getting readings in range..

I re-did the ground on one of the jacks.. still scratching my head. Pots are correct.. any help- thanks in advance.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_9216.jpeg
    IMG_9216.jpeg
    555.5 KB · Views: 12
  • IMG_9217.jpeg
    IMG_9217.jpeg
    797.3 KB · Views: 13
  • IMG_9218.jpeg
    IMG_9218.jpeg
    684.4 KB · Views: 10
  • IMG_9219.jpeg
    IMG_9219.jpeg
    774.5 KB · Views: 9
  • IMG_9220.jpeg
    IMG_9220.jpeg
    657.3 KB · Views: 10
  • IMG_9221.jpeg
    IMG_9221.jpeg
    939.7 KB · Views: 10
  • IMG_9222.jpeg
    IMG_9222.jpeg
    781.3 KB · Views: 12
Last edited:
-are wires at corrects spots on input and output jacks? Notice tip vs sleeve vs ring/switch.
-double check 3pdt wiring (and other wiring) against correct layout WITH thought and patience
-use marker pen to mark bom, schematic or layout when going through the circuit
 
-are wires at corrects spots on input and output jacks? Notice tip vs sleeve vs ring/switch.
-double check 3pdt wiring (and other wiring) against correct layout WITH thought and patience
-use marker pen to mark bom, schematic or layout when going through the circuit
Actually- I figured it out- it was the guitar I was testing it on- it was a 12 string that has a super hot output that breaks up easily at full volume. I pulled out another guitar and its performance was a lot better- enough that I am satisfied.. BUT- after a few days, the LED blew. I think the leads crossed each other in the plastic gasket. But- I had a heck of a time getting a new one in that I burned the board. I grafted the LED to the points on the board that powers it. Now the led works but the pedal doesn’t and it might be from the grafting. I’m just getting another board. I breadboarded it and I’m going to experiment with other transistors, etc before the rebuild.
 
This is a silicon Fuzzrite so it's thin and it struggles to reach unity.

You can increase the 22k resistor to ground for more bass. A good idea is to put it on a switch so you can get a bass and volume boost, the latter depending on your amp. Put it on a foot switch with a dedicated LED maybe.
You can also get back some low end by using a larger volume pot value.

For the volume issue you can always add a LPB-1 to the output but that requires a bigger enclosure.
 
Back
Top