Build Your Own Clone Message Board

Hi, guys. Just built the Tremolito, my 3rd mini kit, and 8th kit overall.

First, I thought (like the large trem kit) that the LED blinks in time with the rate. It's just on/off for me.

Second, when engaged, the trem works, but is distorted -- like an OD pedal. Altering the trim pot doesn't make significant differences in that, either. Bypassed sound is clear.

Normal for the Tremolito. I'd guess that the blinking LED was a feature that had to be sacrificed to fit the small PCB.


Please post a photo. Start with just the view of the component side of the PCB with the back cover off. Please make it a large, well-focused, well-lit photo, so that we can make out fine details like the color bands on the resistors.

_________________
“My favorite programming language is SOLDER” - Bob Pease (RIP)

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

Sorry, forgot to add the pic. Let me know if it's acceptable.

It's tough to be sure of the band colors on the resistors, but it looks to me like you've swapped the 474/470Kohm (yellow-purple-black-orange-brown) at R1 with the 472/4.7Kohm (yellow-purple-black-brown-brown) at R7. See labeled PCB diagram below for positions. The R7 resistor is part of the voltage biasing for transistor Q2, and a mis-biased tranny could easily account for the distorted signal problem you're having. If I'm right, switch those two resistors and see (hear, actually!) where you're at....

_________________
“My favorite programming language is SOLDER” - Bob Pease (RIP)

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

That was it. Thanks, DVM!

Glad to hear that did the trick. Always happy to be of assistance....

_________________
“My favorite programming language is SOLDER” - Bob Pease (RIP)

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

Ok, so I used it at a gig Friday night. Still some distortion present. Less than before, but definitely there.

Have you set the pedal's output to unity gain (bypassed volume = effect volume) with the trimpot?

_________________
“My favorite programming language is SOLDER” - Bob Pease (RIP)

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

Yep. I'll check it again, though, just to be sure.