Big Muff Pi (Triangle Version from Tonepad) No distortion

[Bassisst90]

Hello all. I had tried to build a big muff pi from tonepad before with the same result: no distortion. When the signal is bypassed its fine, and when it is switched on, it just sounds like the bypassed signal. You can adjust volume and tone just fine (although the volume seems pretty minimal) but the gain sounds like another volume control, does not add distortion. I don't know what the deal is, but I'd tried to do this more than a year ago and I still have the same problem.
I socketed the transistors, replaced the caps, and checked all values, and I haven't found the problem. I'll check them again to be sure.
Voltages are as follows:
V+= 9.44
Q1
E- .16
B- .73
C- 4.68

Q2
E- .06
B- .65
C- 4.13

Q3
E- .16
B- .72
C- 4.42

Q4
E- 1.26
B- 1.73
C- 3.82

[Govmnt_Lacky]

1) Are you using the 2N5088's that Tonepad calls for?
2) Are the transistors oriented properly?
3) Did you look at the datasheet to ensure that you are reporting voltages at the PROPER pins (i.e. E =Emitter and not Collector)
4) Did you re-verify component values and placement?
5) Did you look for shorted traces?

Good Luck 

[Bassisst90]

Yes, I'm using 2n5088's, I've oriented them the way its shown on the layout, and even tried reversing them to no effect. Yes I've checked to find out the proper pinout of the 2n5088 so that I can report the proper voltages. I've also re-verified the component values and placement per tonepad's schematic and layout of the triangle big muff (I even tried a few modifications, such as putting in either an 82k or 8k2 resistor in R8 and a 39k instead of a 3k3 resistor in R1). I have also looked for shorted traces throughout the whole thing quite a few times and haven't seen anything.

[Govmnt_Lacky]

Recomend posting pictures of your build. Will probably tell ALOT.

Also, check ALL connection to the pots. Especially check the connection between the Sustain pot, the 1K resistor to ground, and ground.

[petemoore]

 Q4 emitter looks a bit higher than the rest, check it with an audio probe this stage should provide a good bit of boost between base/collector.

[Bassisst90]

I tried to audio probe and it seems that the signal stops at around C6 and Q3 doesn't seem to give the circuit any gain. But then the signal comes back at Q4, not sure what's happening. Will try to post pics soon.

[Govmnt_Lacky]

I tried to audio probe and it seems that the signal stops at around C6 and Q3 doesn't seem to give the circuit any gain. But then the signal comes back at Q4, not sure what's happening. Will try to post pics soon.

Short to ground between C6 and R11   

[Bassisst90]

Nah, I checked. I decided to try and get a circuit board from tonepad and rebuild the project to see if I just did some sloppy soldering. If so, I'll just desolder the whole thing and be more careful, build another different one and keep it or give it to a friend.