Kay Fuzz clone

[blueherdim7]

I got a tip from someone who has built this pedal as well.  Is it possible that my transistors have a differnent pinout arrangement?  How would I be able to determine this without trial and error on the pcb?

Jon

[blueherdim7]

Well, after some hunting, I found datasheets for my transistors.  With only three pins there is exactly one configuration that would make all pins incorrect on the board and, of course, this is my problem.  The pcb is configured for CBE and my transistors are all ECB...go figure.  Now, I can't wait to get home to swap the leads around and see if this is the only reason it doesn't work!   

Jon

[rikkards]

Hope it works!

Well, after some hunting, I found datasheets for my transistors.  With only three pins there is exactly one configuration that would make all pins incorrect on the board and, of course, this is my problem.  The pcb is configured for CBE and my transistors are all ECB...go figure.  Now, I can't wait to get home to swap the leads around and see if this is the only reason it doesn't work!   

Jon

[blueherdim7]

Well, I am the proud owner of a functioning kay fuzz clone!!  I do, however, have a problem with my ground.  With the effect engaged and the treadle in the full down postion, I have radio interference.  It is most noticable in the down position, but, I can hear it anytime the effect is engaged.  I can't seem to find the problem.  I checked to make sure the pcb isn't touching the enclosure and I have tried probing with a wire to the ground, but no luck.  Any ideas? 

Cheers.

Jon

[rikkards]

That's great! We need sound clips though!!
Are you using the case as a ground for one of the jacks? I remember one of my pedals had that if the jack wasn't touching the case. It wasn't the Kay though. 

Well, I am the proud owner of a functioning kay fuzz clone!!  I do, however, have a problem with my ground.  With the effect engaged and the treadle in the full down postion, I have radio interference.  It is most noticable in the down position, but, I can hear it anytime the effect is engaged.  I can't seem to find the problem.  I checked to make sure the pcb isn't touching the enclosure and I have tried probing with a wire to the ground, but no luck.  Any ideas? 

Cheers.

Jon

[blueherdim7]

Thanks Rikkards.  I don't have the jacks grounded to the case.  I think i will make a faraday cage and tie a ground from a jack to the case to the case backing and see if that stops it.  I kind of don't think it will, though, because there is no interference when in bypass.

Cheers,

Jon

[8mileshigh]

Hey, that's great.  How does it sound ?  What are your voltage reading now ? 

I should really try to record my clone but I'm just too busy these days.  I'll eventually get around to it, perhaps after my vacation.

Chris

[blueherdim7]

It sounds very good!  I will post some clips after I work out the ground issue and tweak the pot sweep so I have a larger sweet spot.  Thanks again for you help and support!

Regards,

Jon

[rikkards]

Promises, promises

I should really try to record my clone but I'm just too busy these days.  I'll eventually get around to it, perhaps after my vacation.

Chris

[8mileshigh]

Ha, maybe just the motivation in need    Give until the end of the week, promise....

Chris

[blueherdim7]

Well guys, I would like to extend my sincere appreciation for everyone's input in helping me with my first diy project!!  My kay fuzz clone is now included in my rig.  I had some copper shielding tape left over from a guitar project, but, I still have a bit of radio interference.  It is lost easily in the fuzz and backing tracks, though.  I plan to swap the transistors I have in it for some 2N5088/9 I have coming later this week.  Hopefully some more modern, higher quality transistors than the originals will close this loop.  I haven't had time to reopen it and get the voltages, but maybe next week.  Anyway, here is a quick clip of it.  Please forgive the shotty timing as I am trying to sneak this in before I give my 3 year old his bath and put him in bed!  Still some tweaking to do to get right in my setup.  You can download it here:  https://www.yousendit.com/download/TTdGanZnYTJPSHp2Wmc9PQ   

Again, many thanks to all especially 8mileshigh and Rikkards!!

Cheers,

Jon

[petemoore]

  Stick a teeny touch of capacitence in there, at the input, just enough to shunt the really HF's to ground and still retain most of the treble...?

[rikkards]

Sounds good!
You will find with the 5088s that the distortion will probably smooth out (if that makes sense). It gets less rough sounding. That's why I went with the original transistors. Also remember that the 5088 is the CBE layout so it will work with your existing layout without having to move the leads around.

Well guys, I would like to extend my sincere appreciation for everyone's input in helping me with my first diy project!!  My kay fuzz clone is now included in my rig.  I had some copper shielding tape left over from a guitar project, but, I still have a bit of radio interference.  It is lost easily in the fuzz and backing tracks, though.  I plan to swap the transistors I have in it for some 2N5088/9 I have coming later this week.  Hopefully some more modern, higher quality transistors than the originals will close this loop.  I haven't had time to reopen it and get the voltages, but maybe next week.  Anyway, here is a quick clip of it.  Please forgive the shotty timing as I am trying to sneak this in before I give my 3 year old his bath and put him in bed!  Still some tweaking to do to get right in my setup.  You can download it here:  https://www.yousendit.com/download/TTdGanZnYTJPSHp2Wmc9PQ   

Again, many thanks to all especially 8mileshigh and Rikkards!!

Cheers,

Jon

[Gila_Crisis]

for the radio interferences try puttin some caps (100pF) between C and B of the transistors, i've done this on my octane2 clone and all the radios and some noise went away!