Returned to a build and now the gain is gone.

[HunkFunkPedals]

I built a muffin fuzz, green Russian variety, a couple months back. I was doing some tests and now the gain is gone...

Its still kind of loud...but has the gain of a a blues driver.

never had this happen...any guesses?

 

[swyse]

Did you socket the transistors? I’ve had this happen before and had to pull them out and put them back in and after the second time I just soldered them in.

 

[HunkFunkPedals]

Did you socket the transistors? I’ve had this happen before and had to pull them out and put them back in and after the second time I just soldered them in.

I did socket them....maybe they didnt seat correctly?

Edit: they are now soldered...i'm taking it apart.....didn't change anything.....

 

[BuddytheReow]

Does the sustain knob do anything? It sounds like the first stage isn't working very well.

 

[HunkFunkPedals]

Does the sustain knob do anything? It sounds like the first stage isn't working very well.

The sustain knob seems to be doing its job.

The volume is just really low. I realized that the volume has to be jacked to have equal volume with rhe dry....and the tone also jacked to have any kind of dirt.

 

[BuddytheReow]

If it worked before just fine but not anymore that probably means there was a cold solder joint that came loose. Reinspect all solder joints again and reflow all suspects. Also post some pics so we can help you.

 

[HunkFunkPedals]

If it worked before just fine but not anymore that probably means there was a cold solder joint that came loose. Reinspect all solder joints again and reflow all suspects. Also post some pics so we can help yo

https://imgur.com/a/FiCwEG9

 

[BuddytheReow]

What’s going with those electrolytics? They look like they are not mounted through both holes. Is it just the camera angle?

 

[fig]

What’s going with those electrolytics? They look like they are not mounted through both holes. Is it just the camera angle?

The pcb has two pads for GND for some of the ECs…

Do you have an audio probe @HunkFunkPedals ?

 

[HamishR]

As a long time BB King fan, I have to correct you. It's not "The gain has gone" it's "The thrill has gone", and he doesn't sing "a-gain" he sings "away". And I don't believe he ever used pedals in the first place.

 

[HunkFunkPedals]

The pcb has two pads for GND for some of the ECs…

Do you have an audio probe @HunkFunkPedals ?

I do...I've been tracing the circuit but have yet to find anything helpful, lol......that being said....do you have any tips that might help?

 

[Coda]

Is the backside of the PCB grounding out against anything?...

 

[HunkFunkPedals]

Is the backside of the PCB grounding out against anything?...

As far as i can tell it is not. In my experience a ground issue like that would cause no effect...not just less. Has that happened to you?

 

[Coda]

As far as i can tell it is not. In my experience a ground issue like that would cause no effect...not just less. Has that happened to you?

I have noticed that a ometimes things can touch and short out together, resulting in some interesting tones.

 

[HunkFunkPedals]

I have noticed that a ometimes things can touch and short out together, resulting in some interesting tones.

Interesting, I'm definitely going to triple check but there is pretty good space back there and it did the same thing when I had the PCB out of the case.

I'm thinking maybe it's the diodes? The clipping in the muff circuit comes from the diodes if I'm not mistaken.