Mods for Jordan Bosstone?

[John]

Hello, I have a old jordan Bosstone fuzz. I't sounds ok but very noisy, unstable and kinda un-useable. Is there any good mods for this to clean it up some?

[jmusser]

Yes, I know exactly what it needs. It needs sent to Squid Squad! He really misses his original. Aron redone the original schematic, and made a monster out of it, so I'd get his attention. I don't know if the original transistors were germanium, but they may have seen their better days, and could be the main problem. If the caps were the old paper type or whatever they could be shot too. I'd just like to see a picture of an original!

[John]

I will send you a pic, I have not replaced anything in the unit, all original. What is your e-mail?

[R.G.]

It needs general rennovation.

If it were mine (and I don't mean to tread on any deals that may be going down now) I would:
- replace any polarized capacitors in it. Electros get dried out and bad with age.
- replace the transistors. It's noisy because the transistors have been abused on the base-emitters (see "When good opamps go bad" at GEO).
- generally clean the board with water, toothbrush, then rubbing alcohol
- remelt every solder joint with a touch of fresh rosin core solder.

It should approach new sound then. Pots may need replaced if they're intermittent.

[brett]

Hi.  If you replace the transistors with higher hFE modern types, I suggest you put a small resistor (eg 220 ohms) on the emitter of Q1.  This keeps the gain sane.

good luck

[squidsquad]

Heheheeeee......!  jmusser...REALLY tickled me w/his reply!  Been too busy these days to do any building...but still read all I can...and would love to see the *innards* of my *ex-beloved*...HA!  It's been MANY years.......