BYOC Confidence Boost: mod troubles

[Grolla]

http://www.buildyourownclone.com/confidence.html

Howdy everyone. I'm an aspiring electronics nerd, and I'm having some problems converting my BYOC Confidence Boost circuit into a buffer. I found some designs on the internet that add a 9v DC jack, a pot for the trim, an LED, and a footswitch, but I basically only wanted the LED and DC jack, so I made some creative (uneducated) guesses, and it flopped. I've searched the BYOC forums and this forum top to bottom for similar issues, but everyone else seems to want to use it as a boost, necessitating the footswitch and the pot.

Anyway, here are some pictures so you can help me identify where I went wrong. The first is the original mod design, second is the design I modified, and the third is the buffer so far. I appreciate any and all help, I've really been beating my head against the wall with this one...

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn46/ambivalentami/ConfidenceBooster.jpg
http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn46/ambivalentami/Buffer.jpg
http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn46/ambivalentami/IMG_20120614_134848.jpg

[Grolla]

I would like to add that I realize this is my first post. I may not be going about this 100% correctly, and I hate to be that guy, but I've spent hours searching for solutions and trying different things, to no avail. Tried registering for the BYOC forums, and the e-mail confirmation never sent (re-tried several times). This is the only other forum I've ever found to be helpful, so you guys are it.

[joegagan]

welcome!

there is a difference between a buffer and a booster circuit. the buffer takes its output from the emitter side, whereas the boost normally takes its out from the collector.
if you want to use a boost similar to how you would use a buffer, you would need to reduce the boost to an output similar to your normal level. this might be a separate topic.

you could possibly be better off using a circ designed as a buffer. there are several schems online, let us know if you need further guidance.

[deadastronaut]

^ +1

so you want it on all the time?....if so...heres a quick n dirty way....

[Grolla]

Thanks for the welcome! And thanks deadastronaut, that is exactly what I needed, you are a true champion.

I have read that the BYOC Confidence Boost circuit is partly based on the LPB-1 by EHX, but with an added buffer. I have also read that many people who build this circuit, as I have, feel the desire to house it and use it for either the boost or the buffer. Since the boost is controlled by a small trim pot on the circuit, I planned on just leaving it at unity, adding an LED, 9v DC jack, and housing it in a small box. No pot for the gain, no 3PDT switch, on all of the time, just for the buffer.

Mostly I chose to do it this way because I'm still new at this, I had the circuit lying around, thought that I may be able to use a buffer in my chain (my pedal board is getting too big), and thought that with a trip to Radio Shack I could probably whip up something that lit up and passed signal. Just for kicks!

I really appreciate the help and guidance, friends.

[deadastronaut]

your welcome...

you should check out a buffer/line driver as joe recommends though if you have lots of pedals ...