Need Help With A Schematic - Triangulum Boost

[BuddytheReow]

Can someone tell me the purpose of Q2 here? I've been scratching my head what this is supposed to do. The build doc says it has no functional purpose. But, why is it even here?

 

[Chuck D. Bones]

It does not do anything. It's a leftover from the pedal Fortin copied, the TCE Integrated Preamp. God only knows why Fortin left it in. Robert left it in because some builders demand authenticity, warts & all. Save some parts, save some solder, save some time, leave that shit out. I wrote about it here.

Q1 can be any high-gain, low-noise NPN rated for 35V or higher. MPSA18 and 2N5210 are good options if you don't have BC550C.