Reference issues

[Styxx]

Hi guys. I'm building an overdrive effect based on a project I did a long time ago. When I first attempted this I had a university electronics lab full of scopes, signal generators, power supplies and the likes to play with. Now I have a piece of breadboard and every time I want new components I have to go and buy them. My issue is this: I have built the schematic below on a breadboard and it doesn't work. When I plug in my guitar and amp, there's no sound. If I disconnect the wire connecting the reference voltage (i.e. disconnecting at the junction above C3, thus taking C3, R4 and R5 out of the circuit), the signal slowly returns, sounding distorted at first but less so as volume increases, with no distortion of signal by the time it reaches full volume. What I think is happening is that the 4.5v reference is higher than the amp can take (it's a Line 6 Spider II, it's digital). I've tried taking various points that are labelled as being connected to ground (which is currently a DC battery's 0V lug) and connecting them to reference instead, but with no joy.

Any help?

[PRR]

Get voltmeter. The $3 kind is adequate.

I suspect, however, it is not really wired as drawn, because it "should" work fine.

[PRR]

C8 polarity is wrong.

[Styxx]

You suspect wrong sir, it is wired exactly as drawn. Good spot with the cap though, I will try this tomorrow when I can make some noise.

[trendyironicname]

You suspect wrong sir, it is wired exactly as drawn. Good spot with the cap though, I will try this tomorrow when I can make some noise.

You catch more help with honey. 


And, never underestimate the ability to swear it's exactly as drawn and it not be.  I've been doing this stuff near about everyday for 10 years and still have those moments frequently.

[Styxx]

You suspect wrong sir, it is wired exactly as drawn. Good spot with the cap though, I will try this tomorrow when I can make some noise.

You catch more help with honey. 

Sorry, I don't get you. I wasn't being rude. Paul suggested that I may have mis-wired the circuit and I assured him that I have not. I double checked the circuit, then went through it and drew a new schematic based on the built circuit, which came out the same. My knowledge of electronics is pretty weak, but I'm definitely sensible enough to exhaust it before asking others for help.

My apologies if I've come off ungrateful Paul, thanks for your input. I'll let you know how it goes tomorrow, hopefully that should sort me.