Ampeg Scrambler Sustain

[ppatchmods]

Just thought i would ask to double check, but is the scrambler suppose to have good sustain on it's own? I built mine off of the tonepad layout, and(after correcting the c3 orientation) it seems gated(obviously) and it sputters out sooner than i expected. I used the correct trannies(5306) with the 3904 sub for the bc169b, and i used the 1n456 diodes(except d1 is a 914). If this is all correct, i will box it up and be done with it. I think i just built it up so much in my head that i was a little dissapointed...i was expecting the big muff on crack with octave 

-JohnP

[bluesdevil]

Sounds like something is wrong. Check for cold solder joints or bridges.

[rousejeremy]

I built a Scrambler and was kinda disappointed with the amount of gain as well. I think most people use it in conjunction with another fuzz.
Here's a vid of mine.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0ZLBhDlBIw

[ppatchmods]

my scrambler sounds similar to that but i expected it to sound more like the one on this page:
[url]http://www.tonefrenzy.com/effects/ampeg_scrambler.html/url]

I did notice that on GGG's project page that list 2 different pinouts for the 5306. i'll have to check into that

EDIT: on second listen, it sounds identical to that.....i feel a little dumb now   So... any mods available...

[bluesdevil]

I've since sold it, but I always played my Scrambler build with a guitar outfitted with a high output EMG active pickup... maybe that's why I didn't notice any lack of sustain? I did have to tack on a booster circuit at the output for unity gain. That guitar was loud!

[Solidhex]

The scrambler is really meant to just give you blasts of very animated high octave madness. It shouldn't sound overly gated but it doesn't have a lot of sustain.


--Brad

[rousejeremy]

You might want to try building a Foxx Tone Machine. It has a great Octave up and lots of gain.

[tcobretti]

Yes, the Scrambler doesn't have a lot of gain.  It is very nasty because it squares the wave so much, but mucho nastiness doesn't necessarily equal mucho gain.  Now that I think about it, more gain seems to usually mean a smoother sound.

BTW, +1 on the Foxx Tone Machine.  Also a very pronounced octave but more sustain than the Scrambler.  It is truly the ultimate octave pedal.