Phuncgnosis questions

[gnarlyguitarist6]

Hi

I am relatively new to diy effect pedals.  So far I built an almost working jawari (it worked well until i tried to stuff it in too small a box and now i have to re-debug it), and built a phuncgnosis.  I used the layout at <http://www.storm-software.co.yu/diy/index.php?project=layouts> made by tatems for the phuncgnosis.  I have two questions about the phuncgnosis:
1. Is there supposed to be a volume drop when it is turned on?  If not, what could be the problem and/or how can I fix it?

2. I can hear the auto-wah, but mine doesn't seem as pronounced as the clip from tim escobedo's web site (http://www.geocities.com/tpe123/folkurban/fuzz/snippets.html).  Can anyone tell me how to fix this and why different solutions might work?

As i said, I'm pretty new at diy effect building and don't know much about what makes different parts of the circuit work together to make specific sounds since i've just used the layouts to put my pedals together.  Any help would be much appreciated.
Thanks!

[oldrocker]

I just built this the other day.  One thing that made a huge difference is the LED's used.  Go to Radio Shack if you can and use theirs.  I tried some made by another company and they just didn't quack very good at all.  I used the yellow ones but the red should work too.  Also the dual opamp shows a 4558 but I had better results with TL082 also available at Radio Shack or a 5532 if you can find one.  As for unity volume mine is actually louder when engaged than when in bypass.  Your volume drop might be do to the two above mentioned issues.
http://www.logmonster.com/images/full/?pic=phunc3_1178052468-422-15035.jpg

[gnarlyguitarist6]

I have a TL072 in there now.  Any difference between that and the 082?

And thanks for the quick response.

[oldrocker]

Nope that should work fine.
I used 4 if the small yellow LED's.  The larger size one will work too.  The red LED's will work too but you might want to try the yellow ones like I did since it works good.

[jmusser]

I used the Radio Shack 5mm red LEDs and a TL072, and mine sounded a lot like the sound sample. It's been awhile since I've used mine, but I think that it may have a little to do with the type pick up also. If I use mine in the neck position where it has a single coil, it is more pronounced than when I use it in the bridge position humbucker. I have a Fat Strat. I don't think the TL082 will give you any noticable difference. It's is nice to know that for biggest part of the stuff we do, you can use the 072 or 082 interchangably. If you search my name, along with Phuncgnosis, I'm sure it says how I had it set up.

[GibsonGM]

Check the resistor values at U1a, the 33k/1k to Vr - these set the volume of the signal and might be less than unity if the values aren't as listed.  The 100k on the output is involved in signal level, too.

And look into Oldrocker's LED changes, I think they might improve things for you.  I found the Phunc to be pretty cool, but not responsive ('fast') enough...I only hardwired the 'up' setting with 1 red LED, after trying both on the breadboard.  Not bad for a quick DIY, tho...TL072 should be fine! 

[cab42]

Mine didn't sound good at all using a 4558 or a TL062 (lots of distortion), but when I totally rebuild  it using a TL072, everything was perfect. I am using  normal  5mm LEDS. It sounds almost as the sound sample.

I have added an extra 1M pot as suggested by Mac to add more control. He also suggest experimenting with the input cap, but I haven't tried that yet. Unfortunately it has grown outy of its original box: (http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=54204.msg413648#msg413648)

Mac's suggestions are here:

http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=49246.msg366129#msg366129

Regards

Carsten

[gnarlyguitarist6]

thought of another question in general....do LED sizes make a difference? for example, if i replace the 3mm red led's i put in with 5 mm red led's, will it change anything volume-wise or otherwise?  I plan to test out a few of the suggestions above within the next couple days, once i get to radio shack.

thanks!

[oldrocker]

LED size shouldn't make a difference.  I used the smaller diameter ones just because they fit better on the board but the standard size ones is what everyone else uses.