Jimi Hendrix Fuzz Wah JH-1 FW: which transistor? (SOLVED)

[DavidM]

Hi,

recently a Jimi Hendrix Fuzz Wah JH-1 FW came into my hands. It doesn't seem to work, either with batteries or PS. The LEDs just light very dimly.

I have noticed a very obvious transistor replacement, just besides the PS jack, a zener diode, and a couple resistors and a capacitor which I think form a Vref network. However the PCB is double sided, there is no schematic available and I would like to know what transistor goes there. Perhaps it is a device for polarity protection?

Here a couple shots:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/8nlqlsy2ire8ijb/JH-1%20FW%20%282%29.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/s/1i9brj5qf7ymxht/JH-1%20FW.jpg

Thanks in advance for any help,

David

[drummer4gc]

I've needed to replace that same transistor. Nearly positive it's an MPSA18 (I used a 2n5089 or 5088, can't remember, it worked fine.)

[digi2t]

I have the Octave Fuzz Wah. It's an MPSA18 that goes there.

[DavidM]

Thanks all, gentlemen. I stuck a BC 549 in there and it worked as a charm.

Previous attempt at repairing (don't know who performed it) failed because the transistor was soldered assuming the pinout was the same as MPSA18, which is not the case. I swapped the pins and it worked.

Hope this might serve other people with the same issue.

Best,

Dave