Do transistors go bad sometimes?

NDominy · Post by **NDominy** » Thu Jul 03, 2014 3:20 pm

Hey all, I have an older but not ancient EQD Hoof (3 knob, hammerite paint, prev. owner velcroed over the SN) that has been my go-to for as long as I've had it. Recently, though, it's feeling different and sometimes gets velcro-y, splatty, and even gated. I can't tell if I'm going crazy or what, but I've got a strong feeling that something's going on with it. Has anyone else had something like this happen? Do transistors go bad ever? Or, actually, could a cap have soured on me in this pedals relatively short life?

Fuzz_Pi · Post by **Fuzz_Pi** » Thu Jul 03, 2014 3:22 pm

Sounds like its being starved of power

Scruffie · Post by **Scruffie** » Thu Jul 03, 2014 3:26 pm

Unless it has germanium transistors or they're silicon but were damaged at some point (silicon transistors can be damaged and function fine for some time but degrade over time) a cap is more likely than a transistor, but electrolytic caps should have a life span of at least 10-20 years.

It sounds like the bias has drifted from the description... got a gut shot?

Edit: I see it's a silicon/germanium hybrid, if there's a trimmer it could have been knocked or the temperature (particularly hot summer?) could be affecting it.

skullservant · Post by **skullservant** » Thu Jul 03, 2014 3:33 pm

Yeah, it might be a temperature thing. I know germanium transistors can be sensitive to temperature in either direction

CBA · Post by **CBA** » Thu Jul 03, 2014 5:59 pm

I feel the same way about my RAT. It used to be really tight, now it's kinda floppy sounding.

Ro_S · Post by **Ro_S** » Thu Jul 03, 2014 8:03 pm

transistors degrade. and temperature changes.

rustywire · Post by **rustywire** » Thu Jul 03, 2014 9:50 pm

"Everything is a spring" is an expression you may have heard before. Some springs become unsprung much sooner than others.
In manufacturing, lemons happen. Blems, b-stock, DOA duds...they take numerous forms.
If limited to ≦10% of a particular production run then it's considered a QC success.

It could be a transistor failing or any of the other parts already mentioned.
Have you tried alternate power options? Different cable, isolated output, power supply, battery?

NDominy · Post by **NDominy** » Sat Jul 05, 2014 12:42 pm

man, thanks for all the input dudes! it definitely sounds like it's not getting enough power, but I've tried running it on multiple PP2+ outputs, that work well for other pedals, and it sounds the same. I haven't considered, though, that maybe the power cable has a short or something in it, so I'll try swapping that next chance I get. the temperature idea is interesting, cause this poor pedal lives in a practice space that does get super fucking hot sometimes, but I'm not sure if there's an internal trimmer. I'll open it up next chance I get and take gut shots. should I just accept this weirdness and get a silicon muff as a backup?

skullservant · Post by **skullservant** » Sat Jul 05, 2014 12:50 pm

Here's an experiment for you as well- next time after practice, instead of leaving it there, take it with you, and then put it back on your board and see if it behaves differently

NDominy · Post by **NDominy** » Sat Jul 05, 2014 1:08 pm

that's a good idea. it just occurred to me, too, that the dirgemaster has germs in it, I forgot about it because I never turn it off. I wonder if there might be more to this velcro-y-ness than just the hoof. I'll do some detective work and report back

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Do transistors go bad sometimes?

Do transistors go bad sometimes?

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