Just finished this one.. from building the Soundwave war, it sounds like a reversed transistor noise fuzz from DBA,haha. I have no idea how to setup those bias/whatever trimmers, though! Seems equally chaotic whichever setting I choose
I built this a while back on a different layout and found lower gain 2n5088 (500hFE) to work much better than 2n5089 (700hFE). I also tried lower gain transistors, but the 5088 were just the right mix of sustain, without getting choppy, like the 5089 were.
For trimpots, I set the "sine" pot to lowest and adjusted the trimpot till just after the signal died. That trimpot is line with the pot so it's up to taste. You'll still be doing the majority of that adjustment with the 50k pot.
The 100k trim , I just adjusted to where it wasn't so noisy, yet still fuzzy.
However, I still believe Q5 and Q6 should be as is i.e. in reverse beta mode. The original trace schematic (https://www.freestompboxes.org/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=4194&p=191111#p191111) indicates it and I built a clone that works really well. But some transistor socketing is required. MPSA12 or MPSA14 works pretty good but the magic ones were 2N5306s... Almost spot on compared to my original Soundwave Breakdown...
Just finished this one.. from building the Soundwave war, it sounds like a reversed transistor noise fuzz from DBA,haha. I have no idea how to setup those bias/whatever trimmers, though! Seems equally chaotic whichever setting I choose
ReplyDeleteI built this a while back on a different layout and found lower gain 2n5088 (500hFE) to work much better than 2n5089 (700hFE). I also tried lower gain transistors, but the 5088 were just the right mix of sustain, without getting choppy, like the 5089 were.
ReplyDeleteFor trimpots, I set the "sine" pot to lowest and adjusted the trimpot till just after the signal died. That trimpot is line with the pot so it's up to taste. You'll still be doing the majority of that adjustment with the 50k pot.
The 100k trim , I just adjusted to where it wasn't so noisy, yet still fuzzy.
Thanks a lot! Useful stuff. I've read about the 2n5089 -> 2n5088 substitution on other dba pedals as well. I'll try it
DeleteUsed MPSA14's for Q5 and Q6 but had to spin them 180 to get it to work. Anyone else have the same issue? Good pedal tho, top job again Mr Fuzzhead :)
ReplyDeleteYeah, q5 and q6 are the other way around. Had a decent sound and then lost it. Hello muffled noise, I remember you from my last DBA project.
ReplyDeleteHad another look at this today as I was never really happy with it (the square pot didn't really do anything).
ReplyDeleteChecked over the schematic and you need to make the following changes to get the square knob working:
Square 1 - C20
Square 2 - G20
Square 3 - D20
Q5 and Q6 will need turning 180 also
Square p ads is now fixed.
DeleteHowever, I still believe Q5 and Q6 should be as is i.e. in reverse beta mode. The original trace schematic (https://www.freestompboxes.org/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=4194&p=191111#p191111) indicates it and I built a clone that works really well. But some transistor socketing is required. MPSA12 or MPSA14 works pretty good but the magic ones were 2N5306s... Almost spot on compared to my original Soundwave Breakdown...
Cheers, Anders. I think I will find some 2N5306's and get twisting
DeleteI finally got this one working correctly with some lower hfe 2n5089's (500 or so) from stompboxparts and MPSA14's.
ReplyDelete