Building a stripboard LPB-1 based on DIY-Layout.com design

[.Mike]

It's hard for me to tell looking at your pics, but... are you sure you are using the lugs on the correct side of your jacks?

Those are switched jacks. When you insert a cable, the connectors causes several tabs on the jack to lift. The lifted tabs are actually sitting on the connector, and this is how the connection is made. It looks to me like you're using the wrong side of the jack, and causing the signal to be lifted when you plug in a connector.

Plug a cable into the jack. Use your meter to make sure that there is continuity between the tip of the cable and the tab where you soldered the wire that is supposed to be the input. Repeat for the other jack.

Mike

[LonePhantom]

Thanks for that. Sounds like something worth trying. So only one side should actually be used for the wiring? And I need to make sure the side that has risen higher when the cable goes in is the side I solder my wires to?

[.Mike]

Thanks for that. Sounds like something worth trying. So only one side should actually be used for the wiring? And I need to make sure the side that has risen higher when the cable goes in is the side I solder my wires to?

Yep, pretty much.

Do a close visual inspection and observe what happens when you slide a connector into the jack.

There are four pins on a mono jack, and six on a stereo jack. With no connector in the jack, the pins connect in pairs, across from each other. You can see each tab sitting on the pin directly across from it. When you insert a connector, you can actually see the tabs lift away. This leaves one half of each pair-- or all the tabs on one side of the jack-- connected to nothing, and the tabs resting on the connector, making the connection. You can clearly see that all the tabs on one side of the jack are now connected to nothing, and you can clearly see the tabs resting on the connector.

Mike

[LonePhantom]

Thank you very much Mike, I would never have realised this. I didn't plan on buying these sorts of jacks, it's just that my local electronics store didn't have any others (in both stereo and mono) in stock at the time. I wanted matching pairs to keep things neat.

I look forward to (hopefully) hearing something through my circuit tonight. Hopefully it's all correct and I have everything working properly.

[LonePhantom]

Thanks for much Mike. After fixing the output jack, and cleaning a bit of solder that had bridged two strips I was able to get a signal through bypass.

After adding a wire to cross a spot where I had accidentally cut a trace in the wrong spot I got the pedal working when on as well. Very exciting! The circuit works very nicely.

Quick Q though. With the pot at minimum should the volume be at zero?

Thanks again all for your help.

[Hides-His-Eyes]

If it's properly wired, then yes an LPB allows zero volume (many boosters do not)

[.Mike]

Thanks for much Mike. After fixing the output jack, and cleaning a bit of solder that had bridged two strips I was able to get a signal through bypass.

After adding a wire to cross a spot where I had accidentally cut a trace in the wrong spot I got the pedal working when on as well. Very exciting! The circuit works very nicely.

Very cool. I'm glad I could help.

Mike

[LonePhantom]

I got it all installed in a 1590B type enclosure last night. I have a lot to learn with regards to planning on where components will be installed in the enclosure, as this is a very tight squeeze when it probably shouldn't be.

I also need to get some decent fine gauge braided wiring, as the single core wiring I had available to me is not very flexible, and a pain to work with. I kept knocking wires off parts trying to cram everything in.

Thanks again though to all of you with your help. I have learnt quite a bit from building this, and I plan to build a stripboard fuzz or distortion pedal next.

[Edd]

Hi guys!

I'm building the same project (minus LED for the time being, can't find any in the UK for low price and nearby!)

I've checked all the wiring etc. Everythings in the correct place and power is working etc. etc. etc.

The result I've achieved so far is a perfect true bypass (no problem there)
But when I turn the effect on, the volume lowers!
Although the gain from overdriving the transistor is there, it is quieter than the bypassed signal.
Any thoughts?

I'm using correct caps/resistors/pot etc, the only thing different is the transistor, I had to settle for a BC549C instead of a 2N5133/2N5088/2N3904.
Could/is the problem purely in the transistor?
Thanks,
Edd

[LonePhantom]

I used a PN100 NPN transistor for mine and it worked. The transistors mentioned in the project weren't available at my local electronics store, and I found that the PN100 NPN should be a correct substitute. 

[Edd]

PN100's aren't available here either =(

[linny1982]

the BC549 should work fine so just check you have it mounted the right way. the BC549 pinout is CBE when looking at the flat side whereas the 2N5088 is EBC

[Edd]

I've checked the pinouts and yes it was backwards, unfortunately turning it around the correct way has resulted in the same quiet, overdriven sound.

I've also rebuilt the circuit within the enclosure now to make sure I'd not made any accidental shorts etc. and having been very careful and neat in this revision, I still get the same result.

I've tried the power both ways round, transistor both ways and I've checked for shorts etc.
I've also followed all the advice previously mentioned in this thread, including linking the ground to the guitar ground.

Can anyone think of any other issues that are possible? That would cause a similar sound?
I may try a new power adapter, as the power does not affect the tone when turned on/off. That worried me!

[Edd]

I may try a new power adapter, as the power does not affect the tone when turned on/off. That worried me!

I have tried the power adaptor (it's a boss style one) in every way possible between the 3 connectors, and also with just a 9v battery, same result.

[.Mike]

Hi Edd,

One thing you'll find as you delve deeper into this hobby is that when something doesn't work, there is a reason. Your time is best spent properly diagnosing the problem through analysis and investigation. You are not likely to meet much success by randomly swapping things around, whether it is the power connections or transistors.

The LPB-1 is a pretty simple circuit, so posting a photo may allow someone here to spot an error. However, your best bet-- after you have triple-checked your work against the schematic-- is to follow the instructions in the DEBUGGING - What to do when it doesn't work topic. It is tested and proven many times over.

Also, you should probably start a new topic to debug your particular build.

Good luck!

Mike

[Edd]

I'll get onto that in the morning Mike (to clarify, its almost midnight), thanks very much for the advice!

The reason I say I've tried swapping things round is because after going over the schematic time and time again - I know it off by heart now! - is because I have triple checked and quadruple checked, and those things are the two areas where there could be a polarity issue. So I tried it the other way around!

Unfortunately neither made a difference, so I'm really stuck as to what could be wrong!