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Getting ready to build a small batch, and am short a couple of resistors. It's the R1 (4k7) connecting the (germanium) transistor to the power. I can run 2 in parallel, but I either have to go 4k5, or 4k9 using what I've got. Which'd be the best bet? Both are 5% tolerance.

2nd question is regarding pots (I think I know the answer, but just wanna be sure):
If, for example, lugs 1 and 2 go to the same spot, does it make a difference which lug the actual wire goes to, and which has the jumper?

Thanks!

Your 5% 4k9 resistors should fall between 4k655 and 5k145 so measure them and see what the actual values are. As for pots you should read up on geofx "the secret life of pots" before continuing if you don't know how they work (but the answer to your question is no, it doesn't matter).

When you say you're building a "batch" of pedals, please don't say you plan on selling them?? With all the respect in the world, if you need to ask these questions your pedals really shouldn't be for sale...

please don't say you plan on selling them

Doesn't it depend where he's selling them? If it's just a few homebrew fuzzes dropped on ebay then buyers can take their chances. They just won't sell for much more than the sum of the parts.

I don't condone making people "take their chances". If you're selling something you should be able to stand behind it- you couldn't service a returned faulty pedal if you don't understand how a potentiometer works, also there seems to be a brand name and a logo in the OP's profile pic and he's talking about a "batch" of pedals. Doesn't seem like "a few homebrew fuzzes dropped on ebay".
Still not attacking the OP, just expressing a concern.

Thanks for the feedback guys!

Please allow me to clarify on the 'batch': Since completing my first build (which wasn't too long ago) I have a few close friends who have been absolutely hounding me to build them a box. I've got a circuit i'm pretty comfy with doing that I know sounds great, so am going to do a few for them.

Any profit made from selling anything goes straight onto the Visa so I can buy more parts to build things for myself, and that's the way I intend on keeping it.

In regards to my logo, I'm a graphic/web designer by trade, and can't help but come up with a brand for almost anything I do.

I was 90% sure that was the way pots worked, just wanted to hear it from someone who knows more than me.

Thanks again!

ran_dizolph wrote:Please allow me to clarify on the 'batch': Since completing my first build (which wasn't too long ago) I have a few close friends who have been absolutely hounding me to build them a box. I've got a circuit i'm pretty comfy with doing that I know sounds great, so am going to do a few for them.

That's kind of what I was hoping you'd say- I'm all for building as many possible pedals at cost for friends, it's a great way to share the love
FYI; I think the 4k7 resistor you're talking about is the biasing resistor for the transistor, so consider socketing it as playing with different values will really change the sound, and the best value will vary from build to build. I'm sure someone will speak up if I'm totally wrong.

That's kind of what I was hoping you'd say- I'm all for building as many possible pedals at cost for friends, it's a great way to share the love

Absolutely. It's these same friends that are suggesting I get a website up, and get selling on eBay, which is not why I started into this at all. I just wanna learn how this stuff works, and maybe, some day, build something unique, and have some fun doing it.

But I digress.

FYI; I think the 4k7 resistor you're talking about is the biasing resistor for the transistor, so consider socketing it as playing with different values will really change the sound, and the best value will vary from build to build. I'm sure someone will speak up if I'm totally wrong.

Might hook up a pot to the transistor and see what values sound best and go with that.

I know with certain values you can 'starve' the transistor, so I'm guessing I can also let too much power get to it, which'd fry it. Is there some sort of rule of thumb about how much juice to let through, or something I can find in the specific transistor datasheet about it?

Thanks!