Noob question for the Electra Distortion

[Bishop Vogue]

Just joined this forum - looks like a great resource for people like me.  I'm just getting into DIY pedals and my current build (only my 5th so far) is the Beavis Audio Electra distortion.  The only changes I made are replacing the 470 ohm resistor from transistor to ground with a 1k B pot for distortion and adding a volume pot, plus an on/off switch and LED indicator, but basically it's the Beavis project.  

My question is that after assembling the circuit, I notice a kind of compression effect happening to my lowest notes (E through G#).  I am wondering if I change the value of the 0.1 uf cap that comes right at the front of the circuit if that might help.  Has anybody encountered this?  Maybe someone can just take an educated guess the answer.

Here's the schematic: http://www.beavisaudio.com/schematics/Electra-Distortion-Schematic.htm

Thanks a bunch.

[JustinFun]

You could try reducing the input cap to 50nf, but my advice would be to breadboard it and mess around! It's only got 8 components - you could get your answer almost quicker than typing a post on DIYSB.

If you don't have a breadboard yet - go buy one. It's £5-£10 (your local currency may vary obviously) you will never ever regret spending if you like tinkering with circuit building blocks (as it seems you do from your post).

[JustinFun]

another option would be to replace the clipping diodes with 1n4148's - 1n34s will clip pretty hard and will definitely sound compressed - 1n4148s will sound more open, and LEDs will be even more dynamic (but less fuzzy)

[mth5044]

I was going to suggest the clipping diodes as well.

Welcome to the forum! Look forward to your long... long...... forever stay!

It is helpful to post the schematic or at least a link to it when asking for help, for future posts.

[smallbearelec]

Hi--

The suggestion to use silicon diodes is right-on. Silicon-germanium is also pleasing to some ears. The Ursa Minor

https://www.smallbearelec.com/HowTos/BreadboardUrsaMinor/BreadboardUrsaMinor.htm

is my take on the Electra--more gain, better control of distortion. Someone else mentioned breadboarding, and the article goes into that.

Regards
SD

[Bishop Vogue]

Thanks very much for the replies - truly appreciated.  I am definitely hooked on this new hobby.

I do have a breadboard and swapped out both diodes and transistors extensively before the build - I just didn't play any riffs in E so did not catch it until it was 'too late'.

Weirdly, while trouble-shooting this issue, I discovered that the problem disappears when I swap out my Fender for my Gibson.  So the problem might be with the Fender, or not a problem per se, but somehow related to the output of the pickups.  It was truly the last place I thought I'd discover something.

Anyway, I guess I can say 'case closed'.  Thanks again for taking the time out to help me - rock on with your bad selves.

[duck_arse]

I put a warp pot on mine, one Ge fixed to ground, and a 50kA 10kA pot with a Ge one end and Si the other. allows some more volume at the Si end, standard 2xGe at the other.

[edit:] 50 is too many k's by far.