Extreme beginner, Fuzz Face help

chago04 · July 22, 2005, 12:37:30 PM

1.Name of the project: Fuzz Face from Small Box

2.Links to the source of the project â€" web site with the schematic or project, layout and wiring diagram. http://smallbox.zeonhost.com/projects/fface/

3.Some candid admissions about how closely you followed the suggested layout: I followed the schematic very well, and can't figure out what's wrong, upon visual inspection.

4.Any parts substitutions or modifications you made to the original.
No substitutions

5.What it does and does not do â€" how it works: The volume pot works just fine, but instead of the guitar input being magnified, all I get is a clicking noise that is magnified. It's a constant clicking, about once every second, maybe a little faster.

I am a true beginner, I've made a pocket amp before, but that is my biggest experience so far. I dont have access to pictures or measurements until tomorrow/late tonight, but thought I might see if anyone might know of a quick fix? Is this what a short sounds like? I cant find where the ground is supposed to be on this circuit, maybe I screwed that up?

Thanks for any help you can provide, and I can answer your questions late tonight.

AL · July 22, 2005, 12:46:45 PM

What type of transistors did you use? What's the pinout? Are you sure you have them oriented correctly?

So... just in case - if you look at the circuit layout where the transistors are there are letters C, B, and E - that's Collector, Base, and Emitter. The transistors must be put in the circuit that way or it won't work correctly - not sure about the ticking noise.

AL

dadude · July 22, 2005, 01:45:52 PM

It sounds like a ground issue. Are you using a AC adaptor jack? Check your solder joints to see if you have a cold solder issue. Also have a good look over the board you may have two points soldered together and you might not know it. Have you put it inside the box yet?

chago04 · July 22, 2005, 03:22:21 PM

Quote from: dadudeIt sounds like a ground issue. Are you using a AC adaptor jack? Check your solder joints to see if you have a cold solder issue. Also have a good look over the board you may have two points soldered together and you might not know it. Have you put it inside the box yet?

I havent put it in the box yet, but I'm not sure where to ground it at. I'm just using a 9v battery as the power source currently. I'll look over the board when I get back home from job #2, see if I can get some pictures up somewhere. Thanks for your help.

chago04 · July 22, 2005, 03:27:06 PM

Quote from: ALWhat type of transistors did you use? What's the pinout? Are you sure you have them oriented correctly?

So... just in case - if you look at the circuit layout where the transistors are there are letters C, B, and E - that's Collector, Base, and Emitter. The transistors must be put in the circuit that way or it won't work correctly - not sure about the ticking noise.

AL

I put the transistors in correctly, they came with a diagram showing E, B, and C, so theyre right.

jimbob · July 22, 2005, 04:36:33 PM

what kind of trannies did you purchase?

petemoore · July 22, 2005, 09:21:22 PM

I put the transistors in correctly, they came with a diagram showing E, B, and C, so theyre right.
yupp, Did the Q's come with the/a kit?
at any rate ... are they PNP or NPN transistors?
Did you socket the transistors?

RobertUI · August 25, 2005, 09:18:45 PM

I built the exact same pedal using the same website, and am experiencing the exact same problem. I would like to know if this has been solved. I know it's been a month since the last posting, but I've had account trouble, so I've been lurking for over a year now.

Thanks,
Rob

petemoore · August 26, 2005, 12:59:57 AM

Could be good, depends ALOT on what transistors are used [PNP] or abused [NPN]...
That schematic is a little too 3d ish for me to read easily, I had to look For the Q1E ground connection. I didn't fine tooth comb over it, but I'm certain it's 'right'.

stankyfish · August 26, 2005, 03:43:51 PM

I'd use the audio probe to trace the signal from the effect input to see where you lose it. Check out the audio probe/debugging link at the main page

Michael · August 26, 2005, 04:17:47 PM

perhaps you overheated the transistors?

if its germanium that can happen very easily.

Lund

RLBJR65 · August 27, 2005, 09:05:20 AM

Schem. is not correct the 2.2uf input cap polarity is reversed.

R.G. Keen has a wonderfull tech. page on the FuzzFace that should be a must read for anyone wanting to build one.
http://www.geofex.com/Article_Folders/fuzzface/fffram.htm

BTW here is my vero layout.
http://aronnelson.com/gallery/Richard-Boop-RLBJR65/FFace?full=1

petemoore · August 27, 2005, 09:08:12 AM

Schematics are easier for me to read.
Use a bipolar for the input cap if you got it.
.22uf is big enough bass through input cap for me on the 'bass loose' side of my input cap mod switch.

RobertUI · September 01, 2005, 11:00:26 AM

reversed cap... can i just flip mine around, or did this smoke anything? i hope to get a chance to look at this tonight, but i'm wondering if i need to replace the cap with a new one.

thanks for all of the help!

rob

petemoore · September 01, 2005, 11:19:02 AM

Quote from: RobertUIreversed cap... can i just flip mine around, or did this smoke anything? i hope to get a chance to look at this tonight, but i'm wondering if i need to replace the cap with a new one.
it's hard to say what the cap actually saw...as far as RP Damage voltage, and when the 'symptom' of the damage will arise, I'd just start with a new electrolytic...actually I don't use electrolytics much in signal path.

thanks for all of the help!

rob

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Extreme beginner, Fuzz Face help