Build Your Own Clone Message Board

I have a question about the TriBoost. The Clean and LPB modes are quite robust and really "slam". The Germanium mode is a little anemic. The Full range mode is barely louder than bypassed and the treble mode is just not really that fun. This is with the boost knob cranked...any thoughts? Could the transistor not be seated properly? Or is this the nature of the beast?

Is the transistor in backwards? I did that with one of my treble booster builds. I knew from past experience that the pedal should sound better than it did. I opened it up and sure enough the tranny was backwards. Flipped it around and BINGO! My Ge treble booster is by far my favorite pedal. To these ears it sounds WAY better than a pedal that uses clipping diodes.

IMO of course.

I tried flipping the Transistor. No dice. Did't work at all. Should I trim the leads of the transistor? It is still at full length because there was no mention of trimming the leads in the instructions. The instructions say to fold the transistor over so it lays down. that's what I did...

yes trim the leads so they don't short anything.

My germ mode has plenty of boost to it when its cranked on full or mid.

Well. I've trimmed the leads. Put the transistor in the socket. Still the same. It's a cool sound but by no means boosted. The other two boosts are fine and this one works tonally,( treble is treble and full range is full range.) But the levels are not right in comparison. I dare say that the levels might actually be attenuated. (The compression might be making me feel this.) The transistor that came with this kit is the OC75. Would another transistor be more appropriate? I await more sage advice...

I think there was a small misunderstanding, please post pics of the tanny. I'm not going to say anything yet.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224 ... G_0442.jpg

pic. What have I done. Your post seemed a little ominous...

the pic is not very good. Sounds like maybe you've got a component out of place, but I can't see. Could be a bad transistor, but usually low output is not a symptom. Usually they will crackle or not work at all. You should get low output if you have your transistor in backwards.

Sorry for the pic. I can't seem to hold steady enough to get a good clear photo. Then I used the enhance feature in iphoto. You should have seen it before!...I tried flipping the transistor around and got no sound at all. So this likely isn't it. I really love the other two boosts. Wish I could figure this out.

You should get sound even with the tranny backwards. It just won't sound nearly as good as it does when it's in the right way.

I think I found it. The Tranny was indeed in backwards. But when I tried switching it the first time, i think the leads were squished together and shorting. Should I try to wedge something between the leads to keep them apart?

Cut the leads short and then cover any excess exposed lead not in the socket with insulation you strip off of a small section of wire to prevent shorts. I color code mine when I do this. I use red wire insulation on the emitter, white on the collector and black on the base.

Does anyone know what gain value the OC75 has that comes with the Triboost? I broke one of the leads off mine when I took it out to put insulation on it. I know a friend who just scored a bunch of them and he said he'll test them to find one with the numbers I need. Anyone...?