Orange squeezer input problem

[Albot]

I've built an orange squeezer that was intended for bass use.
I have a problem though.
Seems like it's getting overloaded by the input because if i pick a string hard the sound disappears for a while and then a roaring sustan comes out of the speaker.
I first noticed there was no problem at all if i just turned down the volume knob on my bass halfway, then it sounded amazing except for a click sound coming from the plucking (no biggie but it annoys me sometimes).
SO i took the logical route of opening up my bass to liik what resistance the volume pot had.. it was a 200k so i simply put a 100k resistor in series with the input of the effect.
Instead of the 2n5457's i used J201 becaulse i couldn't find the other ones anywhere.
Oh and it's a passive bass.

The bottom line is:
1: Duh? did i do something wrong?
2: Is there a better way of reducing input volume? (iv'e heard resistors add noise)
3: Shoud it click when i strum the string? (hmm maybe i got my pickups too close to the strings)

[oldrocker]

Did you adjust the trim pot inside the enclosure for the best bias setting?

[aron]

Randy's right... it sounds like the FET is misbiased.

[Albot]

Yes I did. however i will try to fiddle with it tomorrow and post my results.

[Albot]

well now its kinda fixed. im running 0.63 volts through the trimmer now altough it cut alot of the loudness from the pedal.
It's right between the loud part and the no sound part right now. Iv'e read that about 1.5-1,7v should be right.. kinda confused me.
Now if i max the volume of the pedal i just get a slightly louder signal then bypass.
I was kinda hoping for a bit more boost on max but hey.. at least it works pretty good right now.

I still wonder if there's a better way of reducing signal volume then a series resistor.