ilovefuzz.com

So I've been having some problems with my russian stone. Not really sure if it's a switching problem, or a circuit problem. This thing is definitely weathered...inside & out.

The pedal turns on fine, but when you go to turn it off, it takes volume with it and makes some hiss. I have to stomp it back on/off a few times (getting worse as of late) to get it to turn off, without stealing volume. Also, the pot has to be rotated a little sometimes to get the phaser going after stomping it on.

Any tips, ideas, etc would be appreciated

Pics will be belated, no camera right now.

Replace the footswitch, Spray contact cleaner on the pot or replace it, Smallbearelec do a part for part replacement Pot
http://www.smallbearelec.com/Detail.bok?no=605

Also measure the input and output jacks for DC across them to make sure the input and output caps aren't bad.

Yep... definitely get a new footswitch and pot. Don't even mess around with cleaning them. Just replace them.

Thanks for the help, I figured at least part of it was that.

Here are a couple pics

Swapped out the stomp switch, works much better now. Will be replacing the pot, and likely the caps as well, here soon. Plan on maybe adding blend, more control over color, & a couple other things. Likely going to rehouse it if I do all of that though.

I have one from the mid 70's which has the same volume drop issue, but no hiss problem. I was under the impression that all ss's, vintage or new had the volume drop. I'm looking to have mine modded by someone as I'm not the sort of fellow to be poking around things I don't understand. I found it super cheap ($20 bucks) so if I put a little cash into the mods it's still a great deal. It sounds awesome, particularly before the fuzz.......

I just picked up a Russian Small Stone, similar problems with needing to turn the pot to get the effect.I just replaced the pot and the problems are gone.

The footswitches on the Russian stuff are pretty shoddy. Lay you odds that's the problem.

Thanks, I fixed mine already. Going to be modding/building a few of them pretty soon.