Dallas-Arbiter Fuzz Face low output

[modmod]

just finish building Dallas-Arbiter Fuzz Face from fuzz central,the output is pretty low,i use 2 x 10uf cap in parallel instead of 1 x 20uf,also try 22uf but no luck,any comments ?  :?

[lightningfingers]

what transistors did you use?
it could be that the hFE of Q2 is too low

[modmod]

what transistors did you use?
it could be that the hFE of Q2 is too low

i got 2 ac128, q1 = 85, q2 = 128, they have around 310ua leakage,does it affect the output ?

[lightningfingers]

310ua is not good, and is probably whats affecting your output. if you want to feel very original then keep them, otherwise buy the matched 2N404s from steve daniels.

//www.smallbearelec.com

[RDV]

From Geofex:

How much leakage is too much? 100uA is common, 200 happens pretty often. More than 300uA means the device is suspicious, and more than 500uA I would say is bad.

RDV

[modmod]

thx,i got it working finally,those small alligator clips are always make no good contacts...hate that,coz i'm breadboarding it. now it sounds good

[petemoore]

I pcik some ol PNP's from by the bench [I always have some ol 3906 types around], and stick them in the FF type, till I can tell the circuits workinng, then use the precious Ge's after I know it's started 'cooking' [you'll know when the FF is wired right' enough to start cooking, ...ie No miswires]. Mess with the bias pot on Q2, and most PNP's lll at least amp some if they're in bias enough to not be totally gated off.
 That way the non-descript PNP's from 'around' can get to deal with any polarity problems or waht.
 For a newb, I think it's worth the trouble for sure...
 I had some Ge's in a FF, when the circtuit started to give off smoke, lots of it/ save yourself the bums rush and say......oh I got my old whatever they were PNP's in there ahhh...not so bad !