Build Your Own Clone Message Board

Hey! I just finished my first build, the classic comp with the vintage upgrade. At first I wasn't getting a signal, but I went back over some solder joints and fixed it up. Now I have a clear signal when the effect is on, but I'm not noticing much compression at all. The level knob seems to work fine, lowering and rising the volume. However there's either some popping or a bit of distortion going on when I turn the level knob down low (around 9 o'clock.) And all the sustain knob seems to do is add or take away volume.

So any ideas as to what the problem could be? I tried messing with the trim pot and it didn't really help. Also, when I was building the pedal I inserted one of the transistors ( 2SC184) backwards, and had to desolder it and turn it around. It took me quite a bit of time to desolder it because the solder wasn't melting when I was trying to use the desoldering wick, so I'm worried I may have fried the transistor. Could that be the source of my problem? And if so, as a temporary fix could I replace it with one of the stock transistors that came with the kit (2N5088)?


Thank you for your help. I can post pictures of the PCB later if that will help you locate my problem.

The stock transistor will work fine. And yes, overheating could be the culprit. Which transistor is it though?

I can't figure out the number, but it's the one at the top right of the board, closest to the OUT eyelet.

Would that be Q3?

Yep, that's the one.