Distrotion plus problems

[Hellshredd]

I am a beginner and I have built a distortion Plus using schematics found here: http://www.freeinfosociety.com/electronics/schemview.php?id=562

I have used both variations of diodes options and favor the led option.  It sounds very nice and raunchy, but there are a few issues that need to be worked out.

The gain pot doesn't work until the last 1/16th turn, the gain decreases with the volume pot (I only get a decent amount of gain if both pots are at full blast), & even at full gain the sustain cuts out after a second or two. 

I followed the schematics very well, and actually wired up two of these, both producing the same results. 

Your input would be greatly appreciated

thanks

[drewl]

Sumpin' ain't right.
Well according to the schematic on Tonepad, the gain pot is a 500K Reverse Log...and the vol is a 50K  Log.
That's probably why you're gain is backwards and only works on the end of it's rotation.
I think I used a 500k wired in reverse for gain and a 100k for volume.

[petemoore]

  First I'd run it through some basic debug tests, does it boost/does it distort/ voltage measurements if it doesn't...or if it does even..
  The gain pot on mine is 22k linear which gives from med/high gain to fullgain...spread pretty well across the pots rotation...gain is max at 0.0 resistance...bypassed gainpot or fully CCW, I've had very little use for the DIST+ gainset below say '8' [~80%.
  Could be turning the volume up causes increased distortion in somehting [like amp etc.] past the circuits output.

[Hellshredd]

Thanks for your help, I'll try that.

Could changing the pots also solve my sustain issue?

[petemoore]

Could changing the pots also solve my sustain issue?
Change them from what to what?
  DIST+ potnotes...
  setting gain at max = 0.0 resistance of gainpot, all pots do that.
  volume pot...the D+ circuit, especially with GE diodes doesn't have 'spare' output, so 100k is a good # for the volume pot, 50k and turn the amp up...10k reduces output less than unity.
  I would take voltage measurements if with 100k volume pot there isn't distorted boost. 
  Actually I always measure the bias points when output is questionable.
  As far as sustain, it's possible to not have it using a DIST+...
  First I'd make sure the D+ is working properly.
  Then I'd look elsewhere for sustain, such as amp/speaker/guitar, or Jfet to push the D+ clipping harder, so that teeny little input =  high enough signal voltage swing at the diodes to clip, insuring output is high when any signal is present.