Problem with my Dr. Boogey

[raoul]

Hi guys! I've been lurking the forums for quite a while now and built several pedals (ZenDrive, Dynamic Overhype, Rebote 2.5, EA Tremolo, Dist+, Small Stone), but I just cant seem to solve the problem with the Dr. Boogey I just put together.

I followed Xaviers perfboard layout in the gallery, and everything seems to be in place. I might have substituted some cap within the 10% range but other than that it follows the layout. I've checked and double checked the off-board wiring (true bypass using 3pdt).

Now to the problem. Bypass works just fine, but with the effect turned on the sound volume is REALLY low. Also the distortion it produces is fizzy and extremely bright. EQ controls make little to no difference in the sound, and the presence knob doesn't change the sound at all. Gain knob goes from super-distorted with no noise to super-distorted and very noisy. I can't seem to dial in the bias trimpots to anything better sounding either.

Anyone got a clue?

/greeting from Finland

[the recluse]

Have you tried swapping out the transistors?  Also, when you are biasing, are you going by voltages or by ear?  Just by ear you should be able to produce very large output level increases with the trimmers.  If you can't do that perhaps there is a bad connection somewhere.

[raoul]

I've swapped all the J201's and they seem to be working fine. I'm going by ear, and the output levels are still very low at their highest.

I figured i might just rebuild the whole thing on pcb.

[raulgrell]

The fact that the tone controls have no effect on the sound makes me think you have a short somewhere...

Try using an audio probe to... um.. probe around and find out where the whole thing is going wrong. I just fixed an amp with that thing, it's likely the best tool you will ever encounter...