Help with GGG Octavia Replica

[dcreeves88]

Hello everyone, this is my first post so if I'm going about this wrong please let me know. I'm pretty new to pedal building so I decided to start with a kit from General Guitar Gadgets, the Octavia Replica. Well I've got everything wired up (not mounted in the enclosure yet) and I get a bypass signal fine, but when I turn the pedal on something goes wrong. What you should know first is I accidentally destroyed two of the caps after soldering them in the wrong way (reversed the polarity) so I was down two 33mF electrolytic caps. Unfortunately, my local radioshack didn't have anything of the sort so I went for the closest I could find, 47mF. The caps I replaced were (according to the schematic) C6 and C8. Now, when I turn the pedal on I do get a signal so there is continuity, but the signal is very weak and only makes it to the amp on certain notes I play. Could the problem be the higher value caps? I don't have a multi meter (yet!) so I unfortunately can't really take any readings ATM but from a logical standpoint would this make sense?

Side note: The pots all seem to be functioning properly.

I would really appreciate any input you guys could offer.
Thanks!
-Doug

[dcreeves88]

Anyone?  I'd really appreciate some valuable input here.

[azrael]

Sure you have the transformer mounted right?

[Zedmin_fx]

hmm yea look at the transformer and diodes.

if it was my pedal I would get the right caps and make sure every thing was in the right place and right way around. I have the same kit if you want gut shots,  I really dont get much of an octave its mostly fuzz( one of the coolest  fuzzes I own) but the octave is definitely in there.

[dcreeves88]

Thanks for the info guys! The transformer is mounted right, but one of the diodes was backwards. Maybe that's the issue. I tried to reverse it, but managed to shatter the glass in the process. :/ Looks like I'll have to find a source for some components.

Thanks again, if I'll post any issues or success that comes up

[azrael]

I would always use sockets for germanium diodes, for that reason.

[Zedmin_fx]

Thanks for the info guys! The transformer is mounted right, but one of the diodes was backwards. Maybe that's the issue. I tried to reverse it, but managed to shatter the glass in the process. :/ Looks like I'll have to find a source for some components.

Thanks again, if I'll post any issues or success that comes up

hmm I thought i had a spare dieode to send ya but I dont. that should be the problem let us know how it works I love mine it kicks butt the fuzz is so cool.

[dcreeves88]

Hey, thanks man. I really appreciate that. It's alright though, took a little trip to the local electronics store and picked up the diodes I needed as well as some replacement caps. Found the right diodes no problem, but as for caps all I could wrangle was 33mF at 170v (substantially bigger than the originals) Well I got home and wired it all together and I almost get the effect! But it's only on when my pick attack is VERY hard. And even then it wont sustain and sounds lousy. After spending a good part of a day on it I had to give up The PCB got damaged after desoldering leads so many times. I'm going to pickup another kit in the meantime though. I'm determined not to let this bad experience ruin pedal building for me.
Just wondering though, would the higher voltage caps (same capacitance though) effect the circuit at all?

hmm I thought i had a spare dieode to send ya but I dont. that should be the problem let us know how it works I love mine it kicks butt the fuzz is so cool.

[Zedmin_fx]

the caps shouldnt be a problem  as they are the right valu, if they were under 16 volts then they would be. I know just how yoou fee lI made so many mistakes when i built my univibe, how ever I finally got it and my brothers to work and i learned alot boy did that ever feel good.