Volume?

[randybevis]

I'm just starting out, and I've been breadboarding a few effects to see which I like the best, and so far I've made a Fuzz Face, Rangemaster, and Tonebender.  I like them, but the volume coming out of them is a little less than the original signal.   I was wondering if there's a simple way to increase the signal, like a stage I can put before or after the circuit. Thanks.

Randy

[Torchy]

Courtesy RDV ...

[randybevis]

Thanks.  Can I use this with the NPN transitor as shown, or do I have to change it to PNP, since it's coming out a PNP circuit?  Thanks again.

Randy

[markm]

This looks very useful.
Thank you Ricky and Thank you Torchy!

[petemoore]

I like them, but the volume coming out of them is a little less than the original signal.   
  These effect circuits should posess substantial boost. See DEBUGGING...
  Can I use this with the NPN transitor as shown, or do I have to change it to PNP, since it's coming out a PNP circuit?
  The easiest way to run this gain booster [looks like the recovery circuit on a BMP] on a POS Gnd. Circuit with/[like the Original TB, FF, and RM] would be to use a PNP transistor for it.
 

[bluesdevil]

Try using the PNP 2n5087 in place of the 2n5088 in a positive ground circuit. Also make sure you correctly place the polarity of the 10uf cap.

[oldrocker]

petemoore is right. Those are high gain effects.  All mine are volume blasters.  There has to be something not being done right in the wiring on your breadboards.  You should be getting blasted with fuzzy overdrive when testing these circuits.

[randybevis]

I'll look over my circuit again, but I've checked it dozens of times, and completely remade the circuit a couple times, and tried every combonation of the 10 NTE158 trasistors I have, and I've got it as loud as possible, and it is still quiter than the original signal.  Although, when I replace the first germanium transitor on the FF circuit with a silcon PNP, I get a higher volume, but the effect is more Metal sounding.  I am playing with a Les Paul Studio through a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe though, and I heard that humbuckers don't work as well as single coil pick-ups, could that be my problem?

[burnt fingers]

Maybe it's the breadboard itself.  They can do funny things to circuits.  I finally threw mine out after many weird problems.

Scott

[phaeton]

Maybe it's the breadboard itself.  They can do funny things to circuits.  I finally threw mine out after many weird problems.

Scott

Agreed.  I'm about to toss mine too.


One thing i'd mention though-  double check the pinout.  Couldn't tell you how many times i've put in a transistor backwards (and sometimes it still works, surprisingly, but it sounds like @ss).

But I'll also concur that something's not quite right.  Which versions of these circuits are you building (i.e, where's the schematic coming from)?  Any parts substitutions?

[randybevis]

I'm working on the FF again to try to get it right, since it's the one I've remade the most.  It's the PNP, positive ground from General Guitar Gadgets, and the only substitution I've done is the NTE158 germaniums instead of AC128 or NKT275's.  I don't think it's the bread board, because it's new, and because I got that Electra Distortion to work from GGG's beginners guide.  I think I need to just keep messing with it, and try to get some AC128's from ebay to see if they make any difference.  But, thank yall for all the help.  I think I should probably start on some overdrives now, to see if they get the sound I want with my set-up.  Thanks again.

Randy