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| No sound at all on double-checked superbasic distortion circuit... |
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| Vicc:
Hiya all, Decided to build my very first distortion pedal and found this easy-to-follow DIY guide with schematic and all (attached here); the circuit needs a 2N3904 transistor, two 104 capacitors and three 1/4-watt resistors (470R, 68K and 2.2M). As I couldn't find all the exact same components, I bought a 2N4001 instead as well as 1/2-watt resistors. I'm in the breadboarding phase (see attached photo) and I've double checked everything from properly identifying the CBE terminals to continuity issues using my multimeter, battery charge if full, guitar/amplifier connections, settings, etc. OK. I'm assuming the problem lies with those 1/2-watt resistors although I don't understand the reason why there's no sound at all when signal goes through the circuit... Any help would be greatly appreciated. |
| moffy:
Weird. The only datasheet for the 2N4001 I can find is a TO-5 metal can. Which is not something you see much these days. Where did you get it and what does the printing on it say? |
| rs20:
Do you have an oscilloscope? Just doing the basic binary search technique (i.e. find the actual component or breadboard connection for which the signal is present before, but missing after) should isolate this problem down to one or two faulty components or connections. Doing this is much less frustrating that continually re-checking and re-plugging every little component in your long chain from guitar to amplifier. Just figure out which component/connection in the system is the point the signal dies. Remember that breadboards can be very crappy; so watch out for that. For example, if the signal is present on the collector of the transistor, but not on the left hand side of the output capacitor, then you have a crappy breadboard connection. |
| Vicc:
--- Quote from: rs20 on May 24, 2020, 11:45:17 pm ---... Remember that breadboards can be very crappy; so watch out for that. For example, if the signal is present on the collector of the transistor, but not on the left hand side of the output capacitor, then you have a crappy breadboard connection. --- End quote --- I'd have to buy one, but I get your point. Thing is, I've already checked my entire breadboard for continuity issues and there was no problem... |
| John B:
What voltage do you get at the base in circuit? The 10M input impedance of the meter will change the result, but I wonder if the base is properly biased at all. A resistor divider base bias should give you a more predictable voltage at the base. |
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