FF Breadboard always sounds like it's 'dying'

[willienillie]

Your Q2 emitter is not connected to the 1K pot.

[DJPsychic]

Your Q2 emitter is not connected to the 1K pot.

There is a jumper from the emitter of Q2 to CW of 1k Fuzz...

[willienillie]

Okay I see, but then you need to ground the CCW end.

[DJPsychic]

Okay I see, but then you need to ground the CCW end.

fixed ground, misplaced it when I tried to clean up for photo

Here's better shot of jumper

[willienillie]

Okay.  So I can't see it so well, but it looks like maybe you're using the two outside pins of the trimmer.  In that case, it will act like a fixed resistor.  You need to use the center (wiper) pin and one of the two outside pins.  If that's how you do have it connected, then the issue is something else.

[DJPsychic]

Okay.  So I can't see it so well, but it looks like maybe you're using the two outside pins of the trimmer.  In that case, it will act like a fixed resistor.  You need to use the center (wiper) pin and one of the two outside pins.  If that's how you do have it connected, then the issue is something else.

oh dang. I stole the configuration from GGG '69 fuzz build

[willienillie]

You can tie the unused outside pin to the wiper, makes no difference.

[DJPsychic]

You can tie the unused outside pin to the wiper, makes no difference.

I put the unused one in circuit with other leg, basically putting them together. Surprisingly solved my issue for the time being?

I built a pedal only using 2 legs and works fine, didn't have same problem interesting...

[willienillie]

I'm not 100% sure I'm understanding you fully.  But in this application the trimmer (a pot really) is doing duty as a variable resistor.  So you only need to use two of the pins, but one of those needs to be the middle/wiper pin.  The leftover pin can be connected to the wiper if you like, but it makes no difference electronically.  GGG connected that unused pin on the PCB you posted for mechanical strength, three soldered pins is 50% stronger than two.  Sometimes when a full-size pot, connected with wires, is used as a variable resistor, people will solder the unused lug to the wiper so that part of the circuit doesn't go "open" if the wiper contact fails internally.

[PRR]

> only using 2 legs and works fine,

Which two?

[DJPsychic]

I'm not 100% sure I'm understanding you fully.  But in this application the trimmer (a pot really) is doing duty as a variable resistor.  So you only need to use two of the pins, but one of those needs to be the middle/wiper pin.  The leftover pin can be connected to the wiper if you like, but it makes no difference electronically.  GGG connected that unused pin on the PCB you posted for mechanical strength, three soldered pins is 50% stronger than two.  Sometimes when a full-size pot, connected with wires, is used as a variable resistor, people will solder the unused lug to the wiper so that part of the circuit doesn't go "open" if the wiper contact fails internally.

I was just surprised  Connecting the other leg to the breadboard solved my issue.

[DJPsychic]

As always, thank you all for the help. You're insights and taking the time to respond means a lot. I love building pedals, it's all I want to do.

Only issue I'm having is that little fart sound at the top of my signal. Kind of sounds liken a tiny busted speaker. I'm sure there's endless threads on the topic.. Tthis a biasing issue I'm assuming?

[DJPsychic]

I biased  few sets of transistors, still farty. Switched the 22uf to a 10uf and back, 22 seems a little cleaner, 10uf is a little tighter.

Finally tried a 15uf sprague I bought form Small Bear last year. Biased it, sounds amazing. Only problem is it's huge! I wish it was easier to find 15uf Lol

[DJPsychic]

I biased  few sets of transistors, still farty. Switched the 22uf to a 10uf and back, 22 seems a little cleaner, 10uf is a little tighter.

Finally tried a 15uf sprague I bought form Small Bear last year. Biased it, sounds amazing. Only problem is it's huge! lol