Read this about biasing

[Gus]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discrete_Bipolar_Transistor_Biasing

This will help you understand why your transistor circuit works or does not work correctly.

Note the merits and demerits sections for the three common biasing you see in effect builds.

It is so easy now to find information with things like google, ASK etc.

There are cool things with the C to B resistor bias: however the transistor specs matter.  One cool thing is the source feeding it is part of the gain math.

[Cliff Schecht]

They really should get into a discussion about direct coupling as well. They show a DC coupled amplifier (aside from input and output caps) towards the bottom of the page but never really go into any details concerning this style of bias. It's not obvious that the base resistor(s) can be omitted completely most of the time if there is no DC blocking cap between two stages, for example..

[Gus]

A number of posts at this site and other sites are about efects not working correctly and the cause being biasing.

The first two examples are found in some effects.  That is why I posted look at the merits and demerits sections.

I found that link to be short and to the point.  There are other sites with transistor bias information.

Yes the link could be expanded to more bias circuits like the BMP and first transistor Wha biasing and others.

a Shin-ei Companion Fuzz FY2 schematic
vs. a
http://fuzzcentral.ssguitar.com/schematics/foxeylady2k.gif