Low Tide - Issue with input/output gain

[ExpensiveDinner]

Hi,

I've recently received the parts to finish off the low tide build, but there seems to be distortion/overdriven sound no matter where the mix knob is set (I can hear the modulation through the distortion). From other threads, I've read that this is probably an issue with Q1/2/4/5, and others had luck with replacing the two JFETs
, but I've replaced all four of these and it hasn't fixed the issue. I have substituted the 2SK208 for J201, which I read from another thread that has a different pinout.

I have checked through my soldering and there doesn't seem to be any bridges, though I haven't cleaned off the excess flux. I've lifted up the B1M pot so that there is no contact with the backside of the PCB. If the modulation is coming through fine and there is just distortion even with dry signal, I assume that this mean there wouldn't be an issue with the rest of the circuit? Adjusting the two trim pots also don't make any difference. Any help would be appreciated, though I am not too good with troubleshooting as I haven't encountered many issues with my builds so far.

 

[dcfvgb]

Try gently wiggling the socketed transistors one at a time, I've had issues with them not being soldered.

 

[ExpensiveDinner]

I've tried wiggling the two socketed transistors and then soldered them directly onto the board, but it didn't seem to make a difference. For the J201 that I replaced the 2sk208 with, I bent the wires so that it would be GDS like the following image:

It's the same issue as other people where the distortion reacts to the picking volume, and I purchased the board when it was first released, so there may be some differences to the newer ones.