DIY Fuzz Face Extremely low Output

[Phildog]

Hello All!

This is my first post as a new member. Great site you guys have here. Hope to stay a long time and learn a ton.

Anyway, I received this DIY FF that was thrown in along with some other gear. I installed a fresh 9v, then plugged it in stand alone from the pedalboard. I get the bypass signal fine, but when I engage the pedal, the volume is so low, that I have to dime the volume pot. When I do, I can hear the Fuzz effect. So not knowing anything about the build or solder skills, I reflowed the solder on all of the joints, hoping that there was a cold one somewhere. But I noticed no change. So, I'll tell you everything I know about the build, and maybe someone can point me in the right direction. Oh, if it matters, this build was done with a plastic enclosure. I don't know if that matters in reference to grounds, so I thought I'd mention it.

I believe the FF is based on the build from the site referenced below...

http://fuzzcentral.ssguitar.com/fuzzface.php

Here are the pics...











I've never seen a pedal built into a plastic enclosure before, so I'm assuming that is the grounds location where you see the 4 to 5 wires soldered on. Should I get a metal enclosure? If this IS a ground issue, would a metal enclosure work?

Like I said, the volume is extremely low. And I'd love to get this working properly. I hope the pics are clear enough, and that I explained things in a way that you could understand.


ALSO, FORGIVE ME IF THIS HAS BEEN COVERED ALREADY. I TRIED TO DO A SEARCH, BUT FOUND NOTHING THAT RELATES TO THIS ISSUE HERE.

[LucifersTrip]

no need to get a metal enclosure...it'd only be better for sturdiness and shielding "noise"

but for this:




...and welcome!

[kingswayguitar]

I can't exactly help but I built many fuzz faces and one of them had this problem.  Good tone, everything A1 except low output...I mean, come on...a fuzz face is a crazy mo-fo.  I just tell myself it's relaxed.

As for grounding, it's typical to ground a battery powered pedal to the jacks, not the enclosure.  Looking at your first picture, that attachment to the enclosure is doing nothing good, but there's a direct connection to the jack via the red wire on the right hand side.  Try detaching that ground fixture and just ensure a good connection to the jack.

[LucifersTrip]

you just reminded me...I've had this problem a few times and it was always caused by a poor connection, usually the guitar plug going into the jack....double check the jacks and the wiring of the jacks.

also, gentle jiggle all components on the board

[rousejeremy]

Could you possibly post a pic of the underside of the board as well?