Can any DIY guys tell me what's wrong with my GGG Big Muff?

Andrew311 · #1 04-05-2010, 05:01 PM

Everything turns on just fine, but there's a VERY dramatic volume drop. Like, no sound unless everything's maxed. I have no idea if there are any other problems since it's so quite.

Here's my photobucket with some pictures.

http://s855.photobucket.com/albums/a...311_album/BMP/

rcubed · #2 04-05-2010, 05:05 PM

Most likely something is getting shorted out. Check to make sure you don't have any solder bridges.

Taylor Livingston · #3 04-05-2010, 05:10 PM

Yeah, the soldering looks pretty uneven. Some of the joints don't look like they have enough solder, some too much, and some don't look like they flowed properly, so the solder pooled up around the part lead without flowing onto it. A couple spots look like they have no solder in them, but it might just be photo glare. I would go through with a hot iron and reflow all your joints.

Also, you need to clip the leads shorter. Leaving them that long will lead to things bending over and shorting out. You don't need a special tool to do this, a regular nail clipper gives good leverage and allows you to cut the leads right up to the joint.

Andrew311 · #4 04-05-2010, 06:18 PM

Oh wow. I've never made a claim to being a great solderer, but I didn't think I was that bad!

So I tried to clean it up a bit, I think it looks a little better.

I'm having trouble trying to figure out where some parts are supposed to be bridged together. Specifically the diodes (circled). Are there any parts that are SUPPOSED to be touching? New picture added to photobucket.

Thanks for the help for far.

giglawyer · #5 04-05-2010, 06:25 PM

Solder bridges are always a no-no. Even if the plans call for a jumper, you want to use a wire or a clipping from a resistor.

rratajski · #6 04-05-2010, 06:59 PM

Sounds like a resisto. Isn't resisting and letting too much signal go to ground. Not to knock you for soldering skills, but I concur with what the other guys said. Reflow and clean up.

Also, it's always a safe bet to just solder the pads and not flow over to other pads.

Skunk11 · #7 04-05-2010, 07:05 PM

When was the last time the battery was changed?

Joe Gress · #8 04-05-2010, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skunk11

When was the last time the battery was changed?

Hey! Stop being practical!