Build Your Own Clone Message Board

Hi guys

So, last Saturday, I undertook my first build, following a successful attempt at the confidence builder.

All went well, apart from the pedal not working, of course.

The Pedal works in bypass, but there was no sound when the switch is engaged.
I thought it was a transistor of which i had cut the legs too short, so put a replacement transistor in.
This morning, I sometimes had it working. When moving the battery, it would make a scratching noise and then would start working, until moved, even ever so slightly.

I though I had done a bad-ish job on the DC jack.
So I unsoldered, and re-soldered.
No joy.

Did the same thing for the battery cables.
No joy.

Basically, being the obstinated moron I sometimes am, I decided to go around, poking at cables, trying to tidy up my soldering, but I think I ended up making more of a mess!

Lastly, I know that I've not wired the switch as Stephen recommends, I was following the instructions coming with the kit and it didn't even cross my mind that it wouldn't be the latest set.
And I do know that having the wires ALL of the same colour is a mistake. Hindsight is 20/20 as they say
Without further ado, here's the mess

So, your dc jack looks to not be soldered in.

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Pedal building is like the opposite of sex. All the fun stuff happens before you get in the box.

Ah, that could be a problem, yes

Earlier on, I had POOLS of the stuff in there, filling the eyelets, that might have been an issue too.

So, I suppose I should follow the advice in Installing the DC power jack

Mmm, didn't fix it.

Any other issues with my build?

Get your DMM and take some voltage readings

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Pedal building is like the opposite of sex. All the fun stuff happens before you get in the box.

Alright will try my best and report.
I suppose it's in the adversity one learns most, but for a starter, it's a bugger.

Trie story, but in the end you come out learning sow thing for the next build. There is a troubleshooting thread that emphasizes reflowing solder joints, you'd be amazed at how much this fixes.

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Pedal building is like the opposite of sex. All the fun stuff happens before you get in the box.

That would be THIS ONE. Your soldering looks pretty good, but it only takes one bad joint in the wrong place to screw the pooch. And a bad joint is frequently not visually obvious.

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

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

Bingo.

Reflowed all the joins and the Wah is singing.

Thanks guys, I'm only new at this (before I upgraded the pups and electronics in my axe, I hadn't done any soldering in the last 20 years. Should have paid more attention in electronics classes) so that explains the mess.

You live, you learn, but it did boost my confidence, and I've just finished modding my GE-7 with Monte Allum's kit, in less than 2h, troubleshooting a cheeky short included!

Happy days