Sola Mark II Pro?

[Arn C.]

I built this yesterday  according to schematic "w/mods by B. Tremblay & J. Orman applied by RDV"

I used for Q1 & Q2  2n4400's with Hfe of 171 each and for Q3 I used 2n5088 with HFE of 500.

I put 3 pos dip switches for 3 each different value caps for each on input and output.
I adjusted Q3 as per schematic notes (set for 5volts on Q3 collector).
and also trim pots for all three transistors.  
This thing has way too much power where I have it set.  I can hardly turn it up at all and I get feedback.    Would could I adjust to tame it down a bit?
Otherwise it sounds great!
Thanks!
Arn C.

[petemoore]

Use a lower gain Q3
1 putting something from output fo ground like resistance will DEfinitely down tame anythng.
 2A smaller value volume pot.
3 possibly messing with the Emitter resistor values to reduce gain.
 4adding resistance between the transistors

 I believe most of these fixes are viable, [never actually tried some of them MYs] I usually have the opposite troubles...how to get 'this' thing gained up /enough|!!!
 5 ? 6?

[RDV]

First, I'm glad people are building this thing.
It's sounds to me that either there is a slight wiring error, or you've used a linear pot for the volume. An audio 100K is probably what works best there. I've only built the prototype, but too much volume shouldn't be a problem.

Regards

RDV

[Arn C.]

RDV:
    I double checked the wiring and it is fine.  I used log taper pots for attack and level.  I put trim pots for the collectors of all the transistors and adjusted the first two as Q1=10K  Q2=47K  and Q3 adjusted to read 5 volts.   should I adjust the first two trimpots to lower the gain, if so, would I have to raise the resistance to lower the voltage going to the transistors?  Or should I leave them alone and maybe raise the resistance of Q3?  Or replace Q3 with lower gain transistor?
Thanks!
Arn C.

[RDV]

Do you have the emitter to ground resistors on all 3 Qs correct?
Also, there should be a lot of gain & feedback with this circuit anyway.

Regards

RDV

[Arn C.]

Yes there is a lot of gain and feedback!
Yes, all the emitters to ground resistors are okay!
I guess I will fart around until I tame it down a bit.
Thanks for everything!
Arn C.

[RDV]

Does turning down the attack(fuzz) knob tame it any? There's actually a bit of useful range to it from about 50% on up. It also sounds best to me into a clean amp(like a lot of DIY fuzzes).

Regardley

RDV

[Arn C.]

Does turning down the attack(fuzz) knob tame it any?  Yes, it works fine.

Just that the Volume is right there when you move it just a tiny bit.

Arn C.

[RDV]

Are you running into a clean amp, or distorted?

RDV

[Arn C.]

I tried it through my PA (clean) and through my Montgomery Wards Airline Tube amp volume set at about 4.   I replaced the volume pot with a 50KA.  I will test this and let you know if the volume is more controllable.
Arn C.