Tonebender. HELP! EVEN MORE!

Started by Mikkel, February 24, 2004, 05:33:17 AM

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Mikkel

So I soldered my tonebender back together.
(Thank you, Stuart.).
Even found a layout for true by-pass, and all.

Nevertheless, the thing won't let a sound through.
It hisses all right when the effect is engaged, but
not even my best Hendrix-licks are let out. With or
without the effect turned on.

I have connected all ground-wires on the level lug 1, as to
prevent ground-loops.

I'm in dispair.

Help. Again.

Chris R

are you using perf board ? or an etched board ?

did you take into account the ckt is positive ground ?

can you post some voltages ?

C

Mikkel

It's an old Vox tonebender, which I guess means
an etched board. (I'm not excactly an expert.)

Thing is, I don't even get a signal through when the
pedal is (true) bypassed.
Though novice, I know that's unreasonable behavior
from a fuzz.

It's bound to be something pretty basic, but now I have
stared at the thing for so long, soldered and re-soldered,
that I have lost any dellusions of grandeur I might have had.

Any suggestions?

smoguzbenjamin

If you've true-bypassed it and it isn't letting sound through, you've probably messed up your wiring. Check and double check your wiring untill you are 500% sure you did it right. ;)
I don't like Holland. Nobody has the transistors I want.

Mikkel

I'm already in my 600's!
I've done it to the best of my knowledge:
Gathered all ground-wires, and I can positively
see the sound coming through, I just can't hear it!

What's the second most likely reason, by any chance?

petemoore

I always test my circuits with no jacks and switches to be sure the bare circuit functions, at least soemwhat...I find it easier to swap parts with a mounted board, but I make sure they work first.
 Check out GEO Truebypass switching...there's an articel in there about switching and TB is shown and diescussed.
 I used to check My switches with a DMM on Beep mode. Switch one way and test...the other way...more tests...ya get an idea how these switches make connections quickly by messing with em that way.
 I  would guess there's a reall good chance your bare circuit works...expecially if you have nothing going through either 'side' of the switch [BP ? non bypass].
Convention creates following, following creates convention.

Gearbuilder

Hi,
If the signal is lower by the pedal even the bypass is on ,this could be
One :the signal is going to the ground  by a resistor (input or output jack)
it could be a wiring mistake or a piece of solder in the jacks ,check the impedance beetween input tip and the ground without  the cords .
Two :maybe you have reversed the battery wire and the input signal on the input jack,the signal is (passing throught the battery)
Three : you're bypass switch is broken or you made a bad wirin bypass system
The best thing to do is to desolder your PCB and try to have a straight guitar sound with the bypass on. Then if it's ok ,try to connect the power supply(batttery.Ok?then sold the input wire on your PCB ;for finishing sold the output wire ?you should have the guitar signal on the output. If no ,it's a problem with your PCB.Then you have to debbug it but you're sure now about your wiring.
Bruno

smoguzbenjamin

You could try turning your amp on ;) Just kidding.

Yeah as mentioned above try bare-wiring the circuit
I don't like Holland. Nobody has the transistors I want.

petemoore

^...sounds like something around the switch and jacks.
 You should get bypasss anyway, Check the jack and switch wiring with cords and box.
 Plug input and output cords into the unit's input and output jacks, the get the Meter set on Beep and see where the tip goes [should go to 'input' side of switch's center lugs], then to bypass when enabled, and No Where else. Same for output jack.
 Test grounds also. Be sure ther get to where they should, and nowhere else.
 You should be able to get bypass that way, flip the switch.
 I stil like bareboard circuit testing, just before installation, this insures [somewhat] that the circuit installed is a working one.
 I Gotta watch the ins and outs when switch wiring real close...then check em if they dont' work...
Convention creates following, following creates convention.