Shin-Ei Companion probs

[dronefacemcgee]

Wow first post because I'm messing things up of course! Hello and I know someone can help.

I bought the Shin-Ei Companion fuzz kit from GGG as my first build and have encountered a few problems. After putting the board together and wiring everything up I was met with a loud a high pitched tone emitting from the pedal when it is on. If I play the guitar the signal goes away and a faint fuzz like sound can be heard.

I had trouble with the transistors at first and flipped them around and now I get the same tone but I can change the pitch by moving the volume knob, far out but this isn't what I bought the pedal for. Also for C5 I don't have one of the normal big reddish type capacitors, I found a small little blue cap and used it in place assuming that was it.

I'm not sure if this is enough info to help you guys help me but we'll see.

Links:
http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/pdf/ggg_secf_instruct.pdf?phpMyAdmin=78482479fd7e7fc3768044a841b3e85a
http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/pdf/ggg_secf_lo.pdf?phpMyAdmin=78482479fd7e7fc3768044a841b3e85a
http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/pdf/ggg_secf_sc_bst.pdf?phpMyAdmin=78482479fd7e7fc3768044a841b3e85a

Pics:



Edit: Also I know the jumpers are not needed with the GGG board. I added them in a desperate effort hoping it would fix my problem. I've since removed them.

[PRR]

> If I play the guitar the signal...

What signal? Guitar?  Or "high pitched tone"?

> ....goes away and a faint fuzz

Voltages.

DEBUGGING - What to do when it doesn't work

[dronefacemcgee]

> If I play the guitar the signal...

What signal? Guitar?  Or "high pitched tone"?

> ....goes away and a faint fuzz

Voltages.

DEBUGGING - What to do when it doesn't work

The high pitched tone goes away.
I'll measure the voltages and report back.

[LucifersTrip]

from the 1st link u posted:

"Here is a chart of voltages taken at the transistor pins. This information can be used
to help you find and fix problems if your SECF doesn't work when you test it.

Voltage
9 volt power supply

Q1
Collector
6.6v
Base
0.6v
Emitter
0v

Q2
Collector
2.0v
Base
0.6v
Emitter
0v

Q3
Collector
6.6v
Base
0.7v
Emitter
0.1v"

[idiot savant]

Based on your pics, and the project files, it looks like you have the two metal can transistors flipped. The emitter tab should be facing toward the notched side of the board.

[dronefacemcgee]

I'm lost as to which leg is C,B, and E on the transistor but Q1 is measuring way wrong I might still have the legs mixed up.

Also the pedal operates when nothing is plugged into the input jack and judging by a thread I found when searching this is not supposed to happen.

This picture is after I flipped the transistors (I thought I had them wrong then) and I had the tab facing toward the notched side before and it was giving me the same problem except I could not affect the pitch of the tone with the volume pot.

[idiot savant]

Start by flipping them transistors, then verify your off board wiring. messing up the jack connections on the stereo jack, and/or DC jack may cause your pedal to act funny...

[duck_arse]

look up the datasheet for your particular transistors, you will then have no excuse for wrong-putting them. clip all the extra component lead-length we can see under your board, the extra length serves no purpose, and may short to the case while you're not looking.

there is a bare wire link on your bypass switch, is it touching the lug w/ the green wire? re-arrange it so it can't touch, or use insulated wire.

[Mark Hammer]

What is the pedal going into?  I find my Bosstone misbehaves in a similar fashion, depending on what's plugged into it.  The guitar's volume can produce oscillation, as can the input Attack control on the Bosstone.