new Reverb kit build ... disapointment

I've put something like 4 hours to build the new General guitar gadget Reverb pedal. But when I fired it up I've heard the most ear-breaking, brain boiling feedback I've ever heard. I'm pretty sure I've done the built right. And I'm really disapointed : I need REVERB !

anyway, I wrote an email to the General guitar gadget Man hoping he can steer me in the right direction :arrow:

Sounds like you've got something seriously wrong in the build, check you've got all the fets etc round the correct way and theres no tracks being crossed with solder :)

Hang in there with it. I built one and it's a pretty impressive simulation of spring reverb. I do really want to add a tone control to mine.

Sounds like you've got something seriously wrong in the build, check you've got all the fets etc round the correct way and theres no tracks being crossed with solder :)

I'll check that out. but this ain't my first built and I wasn't expecting an issue.
I guess if the bypass signal goes thru and the lights light up and I get some sound (deafening sound) when the switch engaged it's not all wrong. I'll keep u all posted.

I'll check that out. but this ain't my first built and I wasn't expecting an issue.
I guess if the bypass signal goes thru and the lights light up and I get some sound (deafening sound) when the switch engaged it's not all wrong. I'll keep u all posted.

The bypass and light should work regardless of the circuit, but yes some noise is positive, even if it is horrific ;)

The bypass and light should work regardless of the circuit, but yes some noise is positive, even if it is horrific ;)

so the problem is ON the circuit board ... :rolleyes:

According to JD from GGG and a poster from the BYOC DIY forum : it's more likely to be a problem with the wiring than with the PCB. I've check the placement of the wires and the continuity with my Multimeter and everything seems alright.
This is giving me headaches !

I built one of these yesterday. Works perfectly, sounds quite good. I'll be putting my Holy Grail Plus on eBay.
Did you notice that the layout diagram dated 2009may11 shows the board
backwards? The diagram is correct, as far as the wiring goes, but it could be confusing.

hello !

I noticed the pictures are wrong but the diagramm is right ... I've checked the pics of the guts of some of the pedals and every thing looks right. I've built it according to the diagramm not the pics ...

I'm pretty p ... ed about all this. All I get from the pedal is a deafening high pitched noise.

I'll calm down and check all that in a couple of days.

Patience have sour roots but it fruits are sweet

The pictures are correct, _and_ the diagram is correct electrically - all the connections go to the right places. But the diagram shows the board with components up, which is not how it gets installed, so the routing of the wires on the diagram isn't how it looks in photos.

I found it a bit confusing, and I've built lots of amps and gadgets.

Just to be clear - are we both talking about the new GGG Reverb, designed by Jermida, using the Belton Reverb 'brick'?

The pictures are correct, _and_ the diagram is correct electrically - all the connections go to the right places. But the diagram shows the board with components up, which is not how it gets installed, so the routing of the wires on the diagram isn't how it looks in photos.



Just to be clear - are we both talking about the new GGG Reverb, designed by Jermida, using the Belton Reverb 'brick'?

yep we are talking about the same unit. I said the picture is not correct because there is a discrepancy between the resistors R2-R5-R6 on the diagram and on the picture.

The only thing I was confused with the downside-up board is the way to connect the wires to the Potentiometer.

But anyway, with the effect engaged I get a weird sound, without guitar signal at all, and that sound is affected if I turn the knob ...

I've checked and rechecked the wiring against the gut pic of the Hermida pedal and other GGG built. Everything is in order. I've checked the board for bad contact or solder making contact where it shouldn't.
I've sent some pics to JD at GGG (but the pics are inverted because the only cam I have is the one on my Macbook ...). I'm waiting a reply from him.

This is my 10th built and the first time it went this bad ...

Ahh, I see. I never looked at the photo (on page 3 of instructions) with the misplaced resistors. I worked from the diagram with the flipped board.

BTW - on your Macbook, you can have PhotoBooth flip a picture so it's not inverted. It's in the 'Edit' menu.

BTW - on your Macbook, you can have PhotoBooth flip a picture so it's not inverted. It's in the 'Edit' menu.

thanks for the tip !

JD from GGG is helping me finding what the problem is. So I have removed the board from the brick. I get a the-bypassed signal fine. When engaged, the LED lights-up, I get my guitar sound a little bit muffled with the knob is at its minimal setting and an almost clear signal when the knob is maxed.

I'll keep you all posted , hopefull it's going to work someday and I' ll get my DIYer pride back again :wink:

My last pedal build was driving me crazy like that. Turned out to be two tracings that where touching but barely visable. I found it with my meter. Fixed it by scratching out the area between.

Most problems with DIY projects "that have been successfully built by others" turn out to be solder bridges. That is the overwhelming cause. Behind that is components in the wrong spot/backwards including things like wiring the power jack wrong.

Fixing sloppy soldering technique for good gets rid of 90 percent of problems.

Actual broken/defective components come in dead last in my experience.

Bill

I've reflowed all the solder joints. Checked and rechecked the wiring. I would love to be able to show the pedal to a good tech here in MOntreal. I'm sure he'd be able to see what's wrong.