MXR Microamp clone with Led Popping (from GGG)

[JPGraphX]

Yeah, that was my first soldering... I'm now better.. but could it be a problem or not? Should I solder it again?

[midwayfair]

Yeah, that was my first soldering... I'm now better.. but could it be a problem or not? Should I solder it again?

Do you have some flux? If not, pick some up from your local electronics shop. When you reheat the solder, apply some flux.

What you are looking for is to make a "Hershey's Kiss" type shape when you pull away the soldering iron. The solder should look shiny. Also, make sure you're heating the COMPONENT and then applying solder, not melting solder directly to the tip before the component is hot.

You can practice by getting some bare wire and making a net:
_________
|_|_|_|_|_|
|_|_|_|_|_|
|_|_|_|_|_|

And soldering the intersections.

[pappasmurfsharem]

Yeah, that was my first soldering... I'm now better.. but could it be a problem or not? Should I solder it again?

Do you have a solder sucker?


Also although you may think you don't need it now. This video playlist as long as it seems and it's vintage was very insightful.
I really say please watch it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIT4ra6Mo0s&list=PL926EC0F1F93C1837

[JPGraphX]

Yes I do have solder sucker ! I'll watch your video!

[JPGraphX]

Ok so what's next? Should I consider my popping coming from a bad solder?

[pappasmurfsharem]

Ok so what's next? Should I consider my popping coming from a bad solder?

I'm not going to say that this will fix it. But it could use some sprucing up for reliability sake

[JPGraphX]

ok, i've corrected all my bad solder joint, still a pop ..

[midwayfair]

ok, i've corrected all my bad solder joint, still a pop ..

Do your best to describe the pop.

Click?
BOOOOOM?
Phhhhuuhh?
Quiet/loud?
Thick/thin?

Any buzzing or him coming while the circuit's on?

Cycle the switch several times. Doe sit get better?

Replace the input cap. Does it get better?

DC must be coming from somewhere. There are only a couple parts involved.

As a side note: every true bypass pedal I own pops a little with my main amp. It drives me nuts and I don't use true bypass in any of my delays anymore.

[JPGraphX]

I have built a tubescreamer and I don't get a pot ..

The pop sounds like a metallic CLICK. It varies a lot, some times strong, some times less, but it is not reacting like, you press 5 times footswitch and no more buzz.

I don't get more hum than my clean sounds (I got a telecaster so there's always a little hum)

[JPGraphX]

I changed my 0.1uf cap at input.. no more POP, but no more led .. lol wtf...


EDIT
Nevermind, DC was off LOL... same thing as before

[JPGraphX]

Should I try that AMZ Led popping solution again (adding a resistance and a cap)

First time I connected ground to pcb, I think I got to connect it to footswitch ..

[JPGraphX]

I dont know what to look for Now.. I need help please!

[pappasmurfsharem]

Are you still getting DC on the input?

[JPGraphX]

Yes I do

[pappasmurfsharem]

Did you replace that 4.7uF cap you were talking about earlier?

also here is some potentially useful info,

http://www.diystompboxes.com/wiki/index.php?title=Frequently_Asked_Questions_(DIY_FAQ)#POPS


If you haven't already some of those janky looking wires are the board could probably use some sprucing up especially aroung that INPUT wire  I'd just re-wire it personally. Using better soldering techniques, and also try using alcohol and a toothbrush qtip whatever to clean the flux off the board. Maybe there is some hint of conduction there.

[JPGraphX]

Hi!

I have no more voltage at input, but still get a loud click from the 3PDT switch, it sounds like if I have a microphone next to the switch and plug into my amp. It amplifies the exact sound of the switch.

JP

[pappasmurfsharem]

Hi!

I have no more voltage at input, but still get a loud click from the 3PDT switch, it sounds like if I have a microphone next to the switch and plug into my amp. It amplifies the exact sound of the switch.

JP

Did you check for voltage in front of your amp as well?

Also try tapping the input wires or the guitar cable can you hear the tapping through the amp.

For instance if I take a wrench and tap on a cheap guitar cable I can hear it through the amp, vs a cable with better insulation.

[JPGraphX]

Let me try this and while I try this, here is a audio sample of the click through the amp.

http://www.speedyshare.com/Fk5xe/Vocal-001.mp3

[JPGraphX]

There is no sound by tapping the cable, I have a modulation in the noise of my microamp when I touch wire going to potentiometer, that's it. (by noise I mean when my microamp is on, and gain at max)

My audio was gain at max, guitar plug in, but volume to 0.

[pappasmurfsharem]

There is no sound by tapping the cable, I have a modulation in the noise of my microamp when I touch wire going to potentiometer, that's it. (by noise I mean when my microamp is on, and gain at max)

My audio was gain at max, guitar plug in, but volume to 0.

I am unable to check the sample at work (blocked) tried my phone but it won't play the file.

I'm kind of exhausting my lack-there-of of knowledge here. If you no longer have DC on the input or output jacks and there is no DC coming from your amps input then maybe the switch was slightly damaged during the build process especially if you used to much heat for too long.

Not saying this is the deal but who knows you exhausted a lot of other options at this point.

If you have another switch give it a go being careful with wire location and heating time

This is the 3PDT method I like the most.