Non fuzzing fuzz - ELK Fuzz Wau
- fuzzbuzzfuzz
- Breadboard Brother
**please move if in the wrong forum spot thanks**
Repair help requested if possible.
Picked up a "junk" fuzz on Xmas day - an ELK Wau Fuzz. It's an early 70s large treadle monster with a tone foot switch. It should by rights produce a clanging octave fuzz noise as underneath its guts are essentially a Shin Ei 6 transistor super fuzz. But as of now it's simply out putting a mild overdrive. I've had the multimeter over it - no obvious voltage black holes.
Any potentially obvious solutions spring to mind before I delve deeper?
Perhaps a dodgy transistor? Irvtepkacevthosebold caps?
I spent a good few fruitless hours today frustratingly stumped by it!
Thanks all in advance!
Repair help requested if possible.
Picked up a "junk" fuzz on Xmas day - an ELK Wau Fuzz. It's an early 70s large treadle monster with a tone foot switch. It should by rights produce a clanging octave fuzz noise as underneath its guts are essentially a Shin Ei 6 transistor super fuzz. But as of now it's simply out putting a mild overdrive. I've had the multimeter over it - no obvious voltage black holes.
Any potentially obvious solutions spring to mind before I delve deeper?
Perhaps a dodgy transistor? Irvtepkacevthosebold caps?
I spent a good few fruitless hours today frustratingly stumped by it!
Thanks all in advance!
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- fuzzbuzzfuzz
- Breadboard Brother
Thank you for your input gentlemen. This one is proving a challenge.
I measured the voltage across the circuit and located a few dead spots or low voltage points. In lieu of that I saw a couple of transistors had almost no volts running across them. I socketed two. I also recapped the electrolytes. Slight improvements. The annotated diagram is before I socketed the transistors.
Whilst fiddling I noticed that by gripping the board by one corner (lower left in the picture) with my thumb connecting the circuit trace points for a green cap and resistor - that a full fuzz sound emerged albeit noisy. Without applying pressure unfortunately silence. I replaced that cap then the resistor alongside but the same effect.
..and then a high pitched squeal emerged and I quit for the night!! I now also see a full voltage across a socketed transistor which can't be correct..
Two steps forward and several back it seems.
The high pitched squeal noise - bad soldering?
My thumb connecting the two components...grounding them?
Any thoughts much appreciated as always.
I measured the voltage across the circuit and located a few dead spots or low voltage points. In lieu of that I saw a couple of transistors had almost no volts running across them. I socketed two. I also recapped the electrolytes. Slight improvements. The annotated diagram is before I socketed the transistors.
Whilst fiddling I noticed that by gripping the board by one corner (lower left in the picture) with my thumb connecting the circuit trace points for a green cap and resistor - that a full fuzz sound emerged albeit noisy. Without applying pressure unfortunately silence. I replaced that cap then the resistor alongside but the same effect.
..and then a high pitched squeal emerged and I quit for the night!! I now also see a full voltage across a socketed transistor which can't be correct..
Two steps forward and several back it seems.
The high pitched squeal noise - bad soldering?
My thumb connecting the two components...grounding them?
Any thoughts much appreciated as always.
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- fuzzbuzzfuzz
- Breadboard Brother
Note: The "X" in the lower left is one of the resistor points measuring 0 volts. Below is a .047 greenie cap (now replaced). The next point up is also a .047 cap.
Do green caps leak and require replacement due to aging?
What is a good method of cleaning up the board traces?
In soldering a few trace connection points lifted but I believe I rescued them. It's s messy old board with poor soldering all over.
I need to remember to have fun with it though!
Do green caps leak and require replacement due to aging?
What is a good method of cleaning up the board traces?
In soldering a few trace connection points lifted but I believe I rescued them. It's s messy old board with poor soldering all over.
I need to remember to have fun with it though!
- ljn
- Solder Soldier
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I don't think those green caps go bad with age. At least, I haven't come across a bad one yet.