Constrictor Not Compressing

[jakeabed]

Hi All,

I just finished up my first constrictor build, but I don’t think it’s compressing. It works great as a clean boost, but I’m not noticing any compression at all. I notice zero difference when moving the compression knob around.

The wiring looks all good and the circuit is at least functioning to some extent. My guess is the Vactrol, since I bought it off Ebay. I have one more from the same batch, but I just wanted to show off the build and make sure I’m not missing something silly.

Thanks in ad

 

[Robert]

I may be wrong, but I think the vactrol needs to be flipped over (+ to A/Anode, - to K/Cathode).

 

[SYLV9ST9R]

I may be wrong, but I think the vactrol needs to be flipped over (+ to A/Anode, - to K/Cathode).

Yep, looked at mine and the "cut corner" if the vactrol should be facing the interior of the board.

 

[jakeabed]

Okay, down to the soldering dungeon. Fingers crossed!

 

[jakeabed]

Okay, I flipped it and still nothing. This leads me to believe it’s a busted vactrol too? Unless I got a defective pot or burnt it out while soldering. I’m gonna check both things. Thanks for helping me trouble shoot. Very worst case scenario it’s a clean boost pedal.

 

[Gordo]

Na, continue to troubleshoot. It’s a really nice compressor.

 

[jakeabed]

Okay, best guess right now after multimeter putzing is that the Pot was either defective or fried. Essentially, it’s just always outputting 9k ohms afaik.

I checked the other A20k for the output/volume knob and it works as expected. Unfortunately those were my last two A20ks. So, I’m gonna order some more. In the meantime, does anyone have tips for taking off Pots without ripping up the circuit?

 

[Barry]

Okay, best guess right now after multimeter putzing is that the Pot was either defective or fried. Essentially, it’s just always outputting 9k ohms afaik.

I checked the other A20k for the output/volume knob and it works as expected. Unfortunately those were my last two A20ks. So, I’m gonna order some more. In the meantime, does anyone have tips for taking off Pots without ripping up the circuit?

Snip it off first then remove the solder and whats left of the legs