GGG Companion Fuzz clone...

Grizzey · #1 07-22-2009, 07:50 PM

Finished my GGG Companion Fuzz clone today..

It works, but I notice a significant volume drop when the pedal is engaged, regardless of its placement in my chain.

I tried running it bass/guitar-> pedal-> amp.

Bass used is a knockoff PJ through a SWR Workingman's 12 Combo.

Guitar used was a thinline Tele run through a VOX Valvetronix AD50.

Should I try replacing the 50k linear pots with a higher value?

lethargytartare · #2 07-22-2009, 07:56 PM

Did you mod it for bass use? Could it just be weak b/c you're losing too much low end? If possible, play with the input and out put caps.

Pots aren't likely, but if you want to eliminate them, just bypass them -- let the signal go straight through. You could also try no-load pots, but that's overkill.

Check your voltages -- there's always a chance that you've got a bug in there, or maybe a fried component that's costing you some output.

Grizzey · #3 07-22-2009, 09:28 PM

Low end loss is not the problem, volume cut, whether bass or guitar. Sounds good cranked to high heaven tho.

Voltages check out fine, all components work.

Should I change the input/output caps, could that help the volume?
(Any recommendations on caps?)
If not what could I do to boost the volume?

bobbass4k · #4 07-22-2009, 09:32 PM

I'm no pedal builder so someone will undoubtedly correct me on this, but changings the caps wont affect the volume, you could put an ampliying op-amp at the very end of the fuzz stage of the circuit, that'd boost the output, but it's a major mod, and there's probably far better ways of doing it

lethargytartare · #5 07-22-2009, 11:18 PM

First, yeah, the caps were only a reference to changing the amount of bass to let through, not a volume thing per se. But if you tested with a guitar and noticed a vol drop, then I wouldn't worry about the in and out caps.

The notes say they added a boost section to the design -- I'm assuming yours has that section too?

So, it always sounds dismissive, but double and triple check your work. Designs like that one are pretty heavily hammered away at by the DIY community, and if there was a volume loss, those folks would find it. Did you etch your own board or use GGG's? If the latter, did you notice their note that the screened boards have an error on them?

Another thing to try is bypassing the switch -- wire the jacks directly to the in and out points. Bypass the fuzz pot too if you want (or even the vol too) -- all of which can just help you narrow it down to the components on the board.

Did you socket the transistors? Try different ones -- you could have some that are "weak" or just sound bad in that circuit. You can try matching hfes, but mostly I just try different ones -- and double check the component specs (if you bought all your own stuff) to make sure you got the legs in the right places.

can you post pics of the board (top and bottom)?

Grizzey · #6 07-22-2009, 11:37 PM

Have the GGG board, noted the errors.

I may try bypassing fuzz, switch, etc.

However, after examining the PCB again, I believe the Q1 and Q2 transistors may be switched (thank God for sockets.)

Thanks for the info!

LWatford · #7 07-23-2009, 06:34 PM

Did you buy it recently? Does it have the boost stage?

Mudfuzz · #8 07-23-2009, 08:28 PM

Yeah try different transistors, I built one a while ago with a GGG PCB with a 2N4401 and a 2N3904 and it is a loud pedal.

Grizzey · #9 07-24-2009, 12:49 AM

Hah, I read your build post, Mudfuzz.

Sounds gnarly, like a bluebox without volume cut.

I just had to switch Q2 and Q3, then figure out why I was getting voltage readings where I shouldn't have been.

Rocks my socks, think I'm gonna build one for my friend's g*****.

I'll post updates/pics if I have further difficulties.