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PostPosted: Sat Jun 22, 2019 9:04 pm 
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Hello, Just finished my first Pedal build. Learned a lot, mainly how much I totally suck at soldering! it looks hideous, and I'm sure that's where the problem stems from. I would just like some input on which parts I should be focusing on. I'm worried my attempts to re-flow the solder with my 40w Weller might have cooked something.

In bypass mode it passes signal through fine. Powering up with a Donner 9V 1A power supply. The LED lights up when I turn it on. The output volume is really low! At full volume on the knob, I get about 5-10% of what the volume is in bypass mode. The Sustain knob creates a scratchy sound through the output between 10% and 50%, and then output disappears completely above 60%.

I'm embarrassed to post these pics, but it's the best job I can do...


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PostPosted: Sat Jun 22, 2019 9:05 pm 
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one more pic...


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PostPosted: Sun Jun 23, 2019 5:24 am 
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Those are pretty out of focus, it’s hard to see really. I did see that several joints are solder starved. Each joint should look like a shiny Hershey’s Kiss. Someone will be a long with a link to the technical and troubleshooting thread. I’d go ahead and read in there, but start with your soldering. It doesn’t look terrible.


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PostPosted: Sun Jun 23, 2019 6:52 pm 
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Update: I pulled all the remote component wires and re-soldered the entire board, then re-wired the remote components with new wire and heat shrink tubing on the component end. no difference. tweeked the trim pot around and got the volume slightly better but still about 1/2 the volume when on and cranked than with it in bypass mode. also now that I got the vol up a little I have about a 1KHz hiss when the sustain is turned up (like the beginning of Marilyn Manson's "Dope Show"), still scratchy sounding on the sus knob from about 10% - 50%.

took some closer, hopefully clearer pics...


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PostPosted: Sun Jun 23, 2019 6:53 pm 
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..........


Last edited by Louie B. on Tue Jun 25, 2019 6:48 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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PostPosted: Sun Jun 23, 2019 6:56 pm 
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when installing the POTs back in, I noticed one of the pads lifted on pin 1 of the C500K, but there are no traces on this side, I flipped it and checked the other side and solder had flowed through and connected that side.


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PostPosted: Mon Jun 24, 2019 10:24 am 
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One thing: that black stuff might be conductive. I would clean the board with some isopropyl alcohol and a tooth brush or similar. Might not be your issue but won't hurt.


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PostPosted: Mon Jun 24, 2019 10:58 am 
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mmarsh wrote:
One thing: that black stuff might be conductive. I would clean the board with some isopropyl alcohol and a tooth brush or similar. Might not be your issue but won't hurt.

+1. I would recommend a thorough clean-up of the PCB, front and back. I see lots of carbon, melted solder mask build-up, and solder"splash". I'd start by gently scraping the crud loose with a small flat blade screwdriver, and then brush off the loosened stuff with an old toothbrush. You may not need to do an alcohol wash if you can remove most of the build-up that way. But even before starting the PCB cleanup, I'd recommend working through THIS PROCESS. Be sure to use a clean & well-tinned iron tip, and apply it to each solder joint just long enough that you see the solder liquefy. Two seconds per solder joint is generally plenty. This process is very often effective in resolving "weak signal" problems.

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PostPosted: Mon Jun 24, 2019 10:01 pm 
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Tore everything apart, cleaned the board front and back with alcohol and a toothbrush, dried it out with a blast of air.

Found another lifted pad on the board, the negative terminal of the 1uF cap that connects to the output's negative. Made a jumper between the terminals.

Put it all back together, plugged it in...

Now I have no sound whatsoever when turned on!

Power light lights up, sound goes through in bypass mode.

Pretty sure I've completely destroyed this circuit board at this point with all the re-flowing and scrubbing.

Most likely have a $60 paperweight at this point.


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Last edited by Louie B. on Mon Jun 24, 2019 10:12 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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PostPosted: Mon Jun 24, 2019 10:04 pm 
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.......


Last edited by Louie B. on Tue Jun 25, 2019 6:48 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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PostPosted: Mon Jun 24, 2019 10:15 pm 
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the lifted pad before my repair...


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PostPosted: Tue Jun 25, 2019 6:49 pm 
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The solder side...


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PostPosted: Fri Jun 28, 2019 4:58 pm 
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Update:

I completely dis-assembled everything so I could test each component individually before ordering a replacement PC Board. When testing the footswitch I got the normal continuity with pins 1,2,3 and 7,8,9 as they should be, but I got 0 continuity between 4&5 or 5&6 regardless of switch position, also I am getting continuity between 4&6 which shouldn't be happening. I'm guessing that this was probably causing my initial issue?

After finding this out I came across the thread about checking your stomp switches before installing them... apparently you need to read every single sticky in every sub category before starting a build. :roll:

Anyway, placing an order for a new PCB, Footswitch, and 3 resistors that I ended up breaking trying to get them out. Also since I have no way to test the CA3080, and it's only $3.00, I'm ordering it as well.

Wish me luck!


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PostPosted: Sat Jun 29, 2019 5:55 pm 
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Since I'm starting over anyway, are there any recommended mods to make this pedal more bass specific? I see the Mimosa Jr has some different capacitors recommended for Bass, was wondering if anyone has done similar to this one?


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PostPosted: Sat Jul 06, 2019 4:18 pm 
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Well, the Footswitch must've been the culprit.

New circuit board, new footswitch, 3 new resistors to replace the ones I broke pulling out (FYI, If you order resistors from this site they come much larger than the ones originally on the board!) And I have a working unit.

Lesson learned - test EVERY component with a meter before beginning assembly.


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PostPosted: Sat Jul 06, 2019 5:51 pm 
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Excellent, enjoy the pedal!


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PostPosted: Sat Jul 06, 2019 6:02 pm 
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Glad to hear you got it running!

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My Website * My Musical Gear * My DIY Pedals: Pg.1 - Pg.2


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