Boutique Fuzz problem that may not be a problem

[weeeugene]

Here's a really wierd situation

I've just finished my Boutique Fuzz Face from GGG and it works. Great output. Fuzzes on cue etc.

Wierd thing is with the bias voltages. Here's what i got with my DMM

Q1

C = 8.6
E = 8.7
B = 8.6

Q2
C= 4.6
E= 8.7
B =8.7

I managed to get the collector on Q2 biased to a perfect 4.5V, but the voltages on all other legs of the Ge trannies (got a matched set from SmallBear and used the recommended resistors) seem really out of whack.

But it seems to work. I compared sound clips of my pedal with similar fuzzes posted in this forum and the only diff is that my pedal can be a tad bit fizzy (not overly so) compared to the darker sounds i've heard.

should my pedal even be working based on the wierd voltages i'm getting? If it is, any ideas how to "darken" the sound and give it a bit more girth? the contour knob doesnt really do much.

[weeeugene]

found the problem (or at least i think i have)

i may have used my DMM and probed the wrong areas. previously i put the red probe on the leg of the transistor and the black prob to ground. after reading another post here, i tried futzing with another combi. this time i ran the red probe to the 9V rail and the black probe to the leg. and here's what i got for bias voltages

Q1

C= 0.5
B= 0.1
E= 0

Q2

C= 4.5
B = 0.5
E = 0.4

which perfectly corresponds to the guideline given at GGG. Also, even tho its a PNP negative ground, there's no oscillation or motorboating. guess i'm lucky.

hope this helps anyone else that may be having this problem.

[Bucksears]

Weeeugene,
Which resistors on the Boutique Fuzz did you correspond to Smallbear's recommendations?

I came up with the following, just curious to see if that's what you used:
SmallBear                 Boutique Fuzz
------------                ------------------
R3                            R2
R4                            R4
R5                            (trim setting?)
R6                            R3

- Buck

[weeeugene]

Yup Bucksears

your chart looks right. I had a little trouble figuring it out as well because GGG says the R# on smallbear's suggestions should fit the same R# on the schematic. So for a while there, i was actually looking for a 120k pot (non existent) to replace R6, which on the GGG layout is the Fuzz pot.

i later read a post that this wasnt correct and followed the rough guideline of finding which resistor closely matches the suggested value and swapping it out.


good luck with ur 69