Squiward transistor hfe? Not important? Just matching the vf of the diodes?

[Overgrown Chimp]

I made a squidward with hfe q1-758 (2n5089), q2-190 (2n3906) and q3-620(2n5089). I didn't socket the transistors and it sounds good on its own
i think on its own and better with a big muff with a mids control. I just matched the diodess 1n4148 with both diodes havingng vf 0.696 and 0.698. Any recomendatuo to try an0ther transistor configuration ? it has a very small volume drop when engaged without any dirt pedal just on its own

 

[Aleph Null]

Q1 would be the only transistor that could make a difference. That said, the gain is set by the resistor network to about 9dB before the signal gets folded in half. So the end result should be close to unity. You could reduce R4 to maybe 5.1k or 4.7k and see if that helps. You could also try a pair of diodes with lower forward voltage (1N60p, BAT46, 1N5817) so that less of the signal is lost to crossover distortion. The latter option has the benefit of producing more sustain and sometimes a stronger octave, but will have less effect on the output volume.

 

[Overgrown Chimp]

Q1 would be the only transistor that could make a difference. That said, the gain is set by the resistor network to about 9dB before the signal gets folded in half. So the end result should be close to unity. You could reduce R4 to maybe 5.1k or 4.7k and see if that helps. You could also try a pair of diodes with lower forward voltage (1N60p, BAT46, 1N5817) so that less of the signal is lost to crossover distortion. The latter option has the benefit of producing more sustain and sometimes a stronger octave, but will have less effect on the output volume.

Thanks, I will try it!

 

[pacealot]

Another place to try if you simply want it a bit louder would be to raise R13, the 47k across the output. I've replaced it with a 100k pot as a volume control, to decent effect. It changes the output impedence slightly, but probably not enough to give an adverse effect for most signal paths.

 

[Overgrown Chimp]

Another place to try if you simply want it a bit louder would be to raise R13, the 47k across the output. I've replaced it with a 100k pot as a volume control, to decent effect. It changes the output impedence slightly, but probably not enough to give an adverse effect for most signal paths.

Thank you for the info. I tried it a lot, the pedal plays very well and I read that the tentacle and the green ringer on their own they give the feeling that there is a slight volume loss but when I use it with fuzz and distortion pedals there is no volume drop, actually it seems like there is more volume when paired with dirt pedals. I will post a video using the squidward I built in the next days to hear opinions.

 

[Fama]

Thank you for the info. I tried it a lot, the pedal plays very well and I read that the tentacle and the green ringer on their own they give the feeling that there is a slight volume loss but when I use it with fuzz and distortion pedals there is no volume drop, actually it seems like there is more volume when paired with dirt pedals. I will post a video using the squidward I built in the next days to hear opinions.

I wonder if that could just be a psychoacoustic thing, an octaver would obviously decrease lower frequencies and increase higher frequencies, which could make it feel like it's quieter and weaker? While a fuzz or distortion would "bring their own low end", but you get more high end too, so it sounds fine? Dunno, just spitballing.