SOLVED War Scythe (Hoof Side) Low Output and Gated?

[BMossma]

Hey guys.

Octave and Tone Reaper work beautifully. I'm getting very very very low output, I have to turn up to max level to get close to unity. And the fuzz sounds almost gated. Both the tone knob and shift knob work well as far as I can hear. Thinking the transistors are the issue here, I didn't build it recently, so I don't remember where I sourced them. Any insight would be helpful!

Thanks in Advance!

https://imgur.com/a/yIYXSV8

 

[comradehoser]

I would tend to think you're right--if everything else is built to spec, then probably I would suspect the transistors. Either sus-spec clones or since you soldered them in direct, maybe some got fried. You could do some voltage readings on them to post and see what's up.

 

[PedalBuilder]

Are Q4 and Q5 installed backwards?

 

[comradehoser]

Are Q4 and Q5 installed backwards?

oooohhh, true! I think they might be! OP needs to check the pinout of whatever's in there with what's specified, but I just noticed the orientation of germanium/can transistor tabs vs. the modern-type package in another pedal last night, and I think you might be right.

 

[BMossma]

I just looked up the datasheets and you're right they are backwards. Will swap this evening and update!

 

[BMossma]

Had Q4 and Q5 backwards. Watch those pinouts on the modern packages when subbing for cans!

 

[comradehoser]

Right on! Good eye, PB