Friedman Golden pearl build. Help with first strip board pedal circuit

[ElGuapoTaco]

Hi there. Building a Friedman golden pearl OD on strip board. Usually I’m using PCBs so this is a bit new to me. Frustrated because I’m sure I did a messy job but not sure exactly what setting to use on my new multimeter too.

I ran a jumper instead of out to one of the switches for the time being just for testing

Thanks.

 

[hopdybob]

if i think the soldering went wandering on the next by strip i take a little microsaw and saw down all the lanes and check with a magnifying glass if the lanes are clean.
than connect all the pots and switches with some longer wires and test it if things work.
than, if things work as they should box it in together with trimming the wires etc.

 

[ElGuapoTaco]

I ran a knife down the tracks and tried to resolder any joints that were cold. I added both switches so everything is complete. Just getting a ground dead silence signal and hum. I’m sure it’s probably my sorry excuse for soldering on strip board for the first time but hey whatever I’m learning

 

[owlexifry]

- trying using circuit board cleaner, or similar (isopropyl alcohol?) to rinse off all the flux residue and other micro crap that can cause shorts / bridging

- if still no luck, try using an ‘audio probe’.

(this is how i try and find errors in my circuit builds, it happens)

an audio probe can give you a reasonably pinpointed clue about where you might have messed up on the circuit.

all you need is:
- mono jack (send to an amp / stereo)
- insulated wire+alligator clip (to clip to ground)
- 100nF cap (voltage rating to your application, i used 630V cos the leads are robust and can use on amps)
- audio source to feed the pedal circuit input (guitar, music player, iphone )

what to do:
- feed some constant audio into the input of the pedal circuit being tested (iphone, mp3 player, whatever, use an adaptor etc.)
- with the tip of the probe (capacitor lead), you trace the signal from input, along the circuit board (schematic will help here) until you find where the signal is being lost/muted/weird.

- eg. start with 22nf input cap, then the 1k resistor (that goes to the opamp input), then check if the audio is coming out of the opamp output pin, etc.
- you could also start from the output jack and work backwards,
eg. output jack tip -> volume pot lug 2 -> vol lug 3 -> 10uf output cap. etc.


here’s me trying find where i made an error on an OD-1 build

good luck

 

[ElGuapoTaco]

- trying using circuit board cleaner, or similar (isopropyl alcohol?) to rinse off all the flux residue and other micro crap that can cause shorts / bridging

- if still no luck, try using an ‘audio probe’.

(this is how i try and find errors in my circuit builds, it happens)

an audio probe can give you a reasonably pinpointed clue about where you might have messed up on the circuit.

View attachment 1018885

all you need is:
- mono jack (send to an amp / stereo)
- insulated wire+alligator clip (to clip to ground)
- 100nF cap (voltage rating to your application, i used 630V cos the leads are robust and can use on amps)
- audio source to feed the pedal circuit input (guitar, music player, iphone )

what to do:
- feed some constant audio into the input of the pedal circuit being tested (iphone, mp3 player, whatever, use an adaptor etc.)
- with the tip of the probe (capacitor lead), you trace the signal from input, along the circuit board (schematic will help here) until you find where the signal is being lost/muted/weird.

- eg. start with 22nf input cap, then the 1k resistor (that goes to the opamp input), then check if the audio is coming out of the opamp output pin, etc.
- you could also start from the output jack and work backwards,
eg. output jack tip -> volume pot lug 2 -> vol lug 3 -> 10uf output cap. etc.


here’s me trying find where i made an error on an OD-1 build
View attachment 1018888
View attachment 1018890


good luck

Wow thank you so much. Pulling my hair out because I am sure the circuit is correct. I will redo the door switch too after cleaning the board and also trying to trace with an audio probe like you suggested. Great advice!

 

[hopdybob]

ehhh, i think you made a grand mistake, that i have made to when starting with stripboard


the components are place in reflexion.

look at the position of the opamp and were the 47u can capasitor is placed.
diagram shows right, you placed it left, and other components to.

 

[ElGuapoTaco]

ehhh, i think you made a grand mistake, that i have made to when starting with stripboard


the components are place in reflexion.

look at the position of the opamp and were the 47u can capasitor is placed.
diagram shows right, you placed it left, and other components to.

I think I’m the pic of the board it is upside down. I’m pretty sure I have everything the right way

 

[hopdybob]

I think I’m the pic of the board it is upside down. I’m pretty sure I have everything the right way

i think not, i am sorry
look at the notch at the opamp.
that is in the same position as on the strip board layout, but the red cap is on your picture right on the layout left.
the jumper wires are mirrored to

 

[ElGuapoTaco]

i think not, i am sorry
look at the notch at the opamp.
that is in the same position as on the strip board layout, but the red cap is on your picture right on the layout left.
the jumper wires are mirrored to

That’s because the back is reversed from what is shown in the strip board layout picture, as if it were see through

 

[G&Lplayer]

Vero layouts are viewed from the top. Your layout is reversed, sorry.

 

[ElGuapoTaco]

Vero layouts are viewed from the top. Your layout is reversed, sorry.

I guess you guys are correct and I will have to redo

 

[ElGuapoTaco]

ehhh, i think you made a grand mistake, that i have made to when starting with stripboard


the components are place in reflexion.

look at the position of the opamp and were the 47u can capasitor is placed.
diagram shows right, you placed it left, and other components to.

Yes you are right. Rookie mistake I guess. Didn’t realize the way to read it properly

 

[owlexifry]

Yes you are right. Rookie mistake I guess. Didn’t realize the way to read it properly

we all make mistakes man.

this time, would definitely recommend cutting out the board to size before soldering the components in.

Greeny's Vero Build Guide

Collection of vero (stripboard) & tagboard layouts for 100s of popular guitar effects, with over 1000 verified designs. DIY your own boutique effects!

tagboardeffects.blogspot.com

i found this guide helpful when starting out on vero.

all the best! you can do this

 

[Greenmachine]

ehhh, i think you made a grand mistake, that i have made to when starting with stripboard


the components are place in reflexion.

look at the position of the opamp and were the 47u can capasitor is placed.
diagram shows right, you placed it left, and other components to.

I've done this too. Very frustrating.

 

[hopdybob]

Yes you are right. Rookie mistake I guess. Didn’t realize the way to read it properly

i made that mistake to with my first build, so we are brothers in arms ;-)

but i find this a good way of building pedals, never did a PCB

 

[zippofan]

I don't have anything to add that hasn't already been posted by the others in this thread other than the Golden Pearl is a favorite OD. I made FuzzDog's board and it sounds great! Good luck with your rebuild!

 

[archtop_fjk]

- trying using circuit board cleaner, or similar (isopropyl alcohol?) to rinse off all the flux residue and other micro crap that can cause shorts / bridging

- if still no luck, try using an ‘audio probe’.

(this is how i try and find errors in my circuit builds, it happens)

an audio probe can give you a reasonably pinpointed clue about where you might have messed up on the circuit.

View attachment 1018885

all you need is:
- mono jack (send to an amp / stereo)
- insulated wire+alligator clip (to clip to ground)
- 100nF cap (voltage rating to your application, i used 630V cos the leads are robust and can use on amps)
- audio source to feed the pedal circuit input (guitar, music player, iphone )

what to do:
- feed some constant audio into the input of the pedal circuit being tested (iphone, mp3 player, whatever, use an adaptor etc.)
- with the tip of the probe (capacitor lead), you trace the signal from input, along the circuit board (schematic will help here) until you find where the signal is being lost/muted/weird.

- eg. start with 22nf input cap, then the 1k resistor (that goes to the opamp input), then check if the audio is coming out of the opamp output pin, etc.
- you could also start from the output jack and work backwards,
eg. output jack tip -> volume pot lug 2 -> vol lug 3 -> 10uf output cap. etc.


here’s me trying find where i made an error on an OD-1 build
View attachment 1018888
View attachment 1018890


good luck

I love the idea of using the micro amp for audio probe testing on the bench. Thanks for the idea - much easier than using a full size amp!

 

[cdwillis]

Once I get my vero boards marked, cut, jumpered, and parts populated/soldered, I go back with my multimeter and check continuity among the traces. It only takes a couple minutes and helps troubleshoot in case issues arise later.

 

[ahiddentableau]

Audio probe. Otherwise you're going to be spinning your wheels for hours on end.

Get the probe working. Then ensure that the power supply is working and delivering power where it should be going. Then trace signal until you find where it craps out. Then you have a fighting chance because you know the general area of the problem.