Devi Ever VFM/SM problem (debug info included, w/pics)

[fournafish]

Right, so I started making my own DIY Rocket from Devi Ever, which is essentially a double-circuit pedal with a Vintage Fuzz Master running into a Soda Meiser. First time around, when I sloppily slapped the circuit onto breadboard because I was a dumbass who didn't know how to read schematics, it worked... ish. The sound went through when bypassed, and when the circuit went on, you could hear some additional noise from the fuzz circuit, but no guitar sound.
Second time around, I completely redid the pedal, using a veroboard schematic I found on Tagboard Effects, so the board wiring made sense. That killed the pedal, apparently- no sound when bypassed or engaged, and no noise whatsoever from the pedal output.

1. Engaged: Induce clipping for fuzz tone.
   Disengaged: Bypass circuit.
   Currently: Doesn't do either- no fuzz, no sound from the guitar when bypassed
2. Name of the circuit = Vintage Fuzz Master/Soda Meiser- the circuits are essentially the same, with the only difference being the 2N2907A transistor being flipped for the Vintage Fuzz Master.
3. Source of the circuit: http://tagboardeffects.blogspot.com/2010/12/effector-13-devi-soda-meiser.html
4. No modifications beyond flipping the transistor for the VFM.
5. No parts substitutions.
6. No conversion.
7. No voltmeter available, sorry.

All of my parts were sourced from Tayda. Below are some build pics.

http://i.minus.com/ibdjHuYZMmGbyD.jpg
http://i.minus.com/ibqR2wA7lbTSYA.jpg
http://i.minus.com/ivOXQecI01Dnc.jpg (Vintage Fuzz Master)
http://minus.com/lbt9xpAtIUzfkw (Soda Meiser)
http://i.minus.com/ibvc9BiqyoubfI.jpg (VFM backside)
http://i.minus.com/iB0ulEcPyzb59.jpg (SM backside)
http://i.minus.com/ibdwwych094mcx.jpg (SM switch)
http://i.minus.com/ibxnrjSe54HGb7.jpg (VFM switch)
http://i.minus.com/ibmmi9Lp7MZDtw.jpg
http://i.minus.com/i8wPkj0s1pLmf.jpg
http://i.minus.com/ieiGdlhgQcxLs.jpg

[fournafish]

I looked over it last night, and apparently I forgot to ground both circuits properly. D'oh.

So, I fixed it this morning, plugged it in, and it... kind of worked. The VFM side works when engaged, but only in chaos mode regardless of whether or not the SPDT chaos switch is on, and the SM side only induces noise and doesn't accept any input- and the signal still doesn't go through when both are bypassed.

[GibsonGM]

Well, you do have to get a voltmeter to build these things properly, 'fish!   Best investment you'll ever make.  All that can be suggested for now is to trace and re-trace your wiring and parts orientation; 99.9% of 'why doesn't it work?' can be solved by noticing the human error that happened when assembling!

Look closely for solder bridges (shorts between things that should not be connected).  This is were a DMM (digital multimeter) with continuity setting is MOST useful....can be had for like $50...

[slacker]

Looking at your VFM switch photo the connection from the top centre lug of the switch to the red jumper wire doesn't look very good, I can't see much solder. If that connection was bad it would explain why you get sound with the VFM engaged but none with it off.

From your photos it looks like you are missing a ground connection, there should be a wire from the sleeve lug of one of the audio jacks to the negative lug on the DC jack or to ground on one of the boards.

Welcome to the forum

[roseblood11]

Is there a schematic /layout for the Devi Ever Rocket? It's basically a Soda Meiser and Vintage Fuzz Machine...