Foxx Tone Machine with weak signal

[lerxst88]

I got a PCB from General guitar gadgets and I ordered my own parts to put together a FTM and now that it is completed I'm not getting the tones I was expecting. I was expecting something like super high gain, unbridled fuzz with an octave up capability. Instead I'm getting a weak fuzz tone and a very tinny octave mode with little to no octaving. Also with everything maxxed Im still just under unity gain and any lower there is no fuzz or volume to work with.

I should mention I'm using NOS 2n3565 transistors that are just a black rounded circle on top instead of the more modern cylinder with one flat side casing. How can I tell the pinout?

Here is a list of voltages:

Q1
E: 0.03
B: 0.61
C: 3.78

Q2
E: 3.14
B: 3.78
C: 6.75

Q3
E: 0.09
B: 0.66
C: 8.74

Q4
E: 0.10
B: 0.00
C: 8.69

Here is what they say the voltages should be:
http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/pdf/ggg_ftm_instruct.pdf?phpMyAdmin=78482479fd7e7fc3768044a841b3e85a

Here is a Schematic:
http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/pdf/ggg_ftm_sc.pdf?phpMyAdmin=78482479fd7e7fc3768044a841b3e85a

And finally, a layout just in case that helps:
http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/pdf/ggg_ftm_lo.pdf?phpMyAdmin=78482479fd7e7fc3768044a841b3e85a


Any ideas?

[azrael]

Do you have any other transistors?

[andymac1962]

something is wrong with Q4. The base shoudl be 0.6V above the emitter, Q4 base should be approx 0.8V, and emitter approx 0.2V
If you have a scope you cna check the signal as it goes through hte circuit, to find out where the problem is.
I havent built one of these, but others may be able to give you voltages, so you can see if there are any other issues apart from Q4

Try the search function here, to see if others have already given their voltages.

In any case, Q4 is wrong. double check your wiring, and component values. Try a different transistor for Q4. Check the back of the board for shorts. If any tracks run close together, run a sharp knife between the tracks, it is possible to have a hariline short between tracks, smaller than you can see, but still there.

[lerxst88]

wow thanks for the quick responses!!! Unfortunately (or fortunately?) I got it working thanks to this thread I found

had the things in backwards!!! 

http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=27572.0

and this is SUPER useful for anyone using old transistors!

http://geofex.com/FX_images/to1dwg.gif