The Ultimate Guide to Troubleshooting Pedals | DIY Guitar Pedals

Hey folks,
This week let's talk troubleshooting! In this video I take you through my Ultimate Troubleshooting Guide... hey maybe it's not ULTIMATE, just a pretty normal flowchart, but it's still a great starting point. Comments are welcome!
Link to flowchart:
www.reddit.com/r/diypedals/co...
#pougnetpedals #diyguitarpedals

[@Carlito_Sway]

This chart REALLY helps!!! I know just enough to get myself into trouble but not quite enough to get myself out- and this chart gave me the ideas I needed to get a new fuzz pedal working and sounding great! Thanks so much!

[@helbertchiu]

Thank you for the chart! Now I can troubleshoot 3 I've ditched aside out of 9 I wired. This is so helpful!

[@anthonyludington8320]

Super useful document! Nice work.

[@LawGone1]

Absolutely love this video and your chart. You pretty much mentioned it with ‘faulty 3pdt’ but I’ve made the mistake of flooding parts of my foot switch and causing all kinds of problems. (Connecting poles that shouldn’t be soldered together) Thanks again. And I appreciate your time.

[@In_Covert_Official]

Dude this chart is so awesome! It’s taken me a year of troubleshooting and reading forums to learn half of these solutions! Haha. Thanks !

[@pougnetpedals]

Thanks man. Glad its helpful!

That's really comprehensive and helpful. Thanks 🙏

[@aaronherdman5008]

Of the 6 pedals I've built, only 3 work the way they're supposed to. Now I can finally figure out where I went wrong! Thanks for creating this roadmap!

[@jstro-hobbytech]

Learn ohms law. Start small calculating resistors in series ans parallel. Understand transistor behaviors and what stage the wave form should be in at any node. Pro tip. There's a 1.4v drop from collector to emitter, it takes .7v to turn on a transistor. Learn to use a digital multimeter. Learn the rc time constant. Do not get an oscilloscope until you need one and spend 500 on a rigol or siglent. Do not use parts from China. Getting better at your instrument is more important and don't be the douche at parties playing cowboy cords or the c major scale. No real player respects blues players. Blues is lazy, practice more.

[@peter2712771]

Creating a chart for people to follow was a great idea. The chart looks good and easy to follow.

[@pougnetpedals]

Thanks!

[@GutmaNir]

This is PERFECT!

[@nijo5427]

Nice flow chart. Appreciate it. For those who do not wish to buy a scope, you can build an "audio probe" rather easily. Then you can listen to the music from input through the pedal (or to the fault area).

[@jstro-hobbytech]

Or learn from people who know the basics of small signal amplification. This guy knows nothing. I hate to troll but read more, you'll see.

[@glenmurschel5939]

Very well done. I have an ehx mel 9 not giving effect sounds when turned on. Will check voltage on it!

[@johanarens9798]

Hey thanks for the video, great stuff ! Would you mind sharing the info about your scope ? Thanks !

[@davecooper5951]

I have a regular 'pulsing' sound (about 2-4 beats per second) on an ancient Zoom 2020 multi-effects processor. I've had experience with faulty (computer) clock boards before and know how sensitive they are to capacitive effects. Thanks, I'll check the clock IC and associated components next...

[@PuttinOnTheRiffs]

I’m having an issue I don’t think you covered here. Building a klon clone and I have sound, lights come on. However there is a fuzzing coming through. It’s subtle but definitely there. Also when I unplug the input there is a siren like sound wailing from the rig. Any ideas?

[@trevorjames5493]

Hey interesting video very informative however I have a question because I did not build my pedal I bought it , It's a joyo atmosphere Pedal and it turns on ... the LED lights work , however when I plug in the guitar The sound is very very quiet. even if I put the amp on 7, which should be really loud it sounds like The volume is below 1. The cables are fine, the amp is fine, the guitar is fine, and the power supply is fine. When I opened up the pedal and checked all the voltages it's a 9 V power supply but everything I checked with the multimeder is giving me the same 3 V reading. So there is a tiny tiny bit of sound But the pedal is unusable. What on the board could be causing the issue of low low sound any ideas or is it fried? Any advice would be good thank you very much for your time in advance.cheers

[@MegaDocjoe]

I bought a used Artec wish wah APW-07, at first it worked but had a problem with the "wish" pot where there's a place where it makes a huge "POP" sound then the're no guitar signal anymore even if you can hear the wah until you wiggle and play with potentiometers ,and when bypasse the signal goes with no problem....... I sprayed the potentiometers with contact cleaner, worked like charm , then left the pedal for a coupl of days untouched.....at my suprise the pedal would not work anymore when activated, I mean you hear the wah effect and the hiss with the toe down but abslotutely no guitar signal.....I checked the switch and pots and it seems to be no problem there

[@melancoman]

hello, I have a buzz in my tone bender, but I have no signal, no distortion, I'm thinking more of germanium transistors which are dead! What do you think? Thanks in advance and congratulations on your site!

[@elalexander]

I need some help, man. I recently got a Mosky RC5 multi-effect pedal and every effect works fine, except the chorus. When I turn it on, it sounds with a little bit of distortion

[@johnnyvim8284]

I have a digitech whammy 5 it sounds ok when is bypassed the sound goes through well but when I switch the pedal on it sounds very very low and crackling unusable, I hear the effect is working but the sounds is very messed up and low.. what could be the issue ? Nice video thank you very much !

[@gergemall]

Cool ❤

[@AmerikkkaGuitars]

I'm a total noob fixing pedals but I finally fixed my analog delay pedal. I used the flowchart. Had a bad IC chip and maybe bad power diode and reflowed all the solder joints and it fixed. Also great lesson testing for pots and switches and jacks. Once I got engaged output sound, the delay still wasn't working, then used a power supply instead of battery and it came back to life. Thank you so much. Inspired to make pedalpcb pedals of discontinued pedals or way overpriced pedals and selling cheaper with cool artwork like you. Really fun man. Confident in my skills now. You are the shizzle!!!

[@stevesky]

I just build a pedal ans it has a high pitch whistling noise if the agressor switch turn on (up/down) but in the center position, everything is normal... Can you give some advice on that please?

[@michaeldriskell6431]

Great video as always! Thank you for the flow chart link. Do you have the link for the oscilloscope that you use?

[@pougnetpedals]

This is the kit. www.amazon.ca/dp/B08D3KBBHD/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_4QP5Fb3AD74WX I would probably look at something newer now though. Seem to be well over priced on this listing. Especially for what you can get now

[@elijahbanaspati7375]

Dude can you help me please. I have a Seymour Duncan Tweak fuzz and I think it got some troubles. When the pedal set off and the tweak knob is in "1" all the signals totally goes bypass and clean, but when I tweak it to 2 - 6, it really adfects the signal and tone even when I turn off the pedal. Can you help me explain what's really happening here? Thankyou very much before.

[@jmromero007]

Hi! awesome chart! just one more hint, stero cable should not be used! Took me a while realizing that led will light on when tip of the jack was midway...

[@pougnetpedals]

Good call!

[@nojuanatall3281]

Hey i have an old DOD FX25. The Kermit green one from 1986-1986 that is right before the 2 knob sparkle green version. I had a sparkle green back in the day and remember it having a little bit of dirt on the decay of the filter. The one i have now seems to have quite a bit more distortion on the decay. What could cause this? ive already cleaned the PCB, checked solder joints, cleaned the pots and input/output jacks. It does this with both a power supply or battery. I have not checked the switch yet but it seems to be working fine. The LED is a bit dim. Any advice is greatly appreciated, Thanks!

[@nojuanatall3281]

1986-1988* It says FX25 on the left next to envelope filter.

[@gsboss]

I fried a pretty expensive pedal recently. Hopefully it can be fixed.

[@icywalrus4906]

Once I understand this video I'll build my first pedal.

[@pougnetpedals]

nice...

[@jamesremi6585]

Would love to see the process when you decide to do it. Trying to learn also. Want to fix this metal muff with boost that belonged to my best friend who died a few years back. Just happened to end up with his pedal I recognized from the custom paint job we put on it.

[@rk7586]

I have a digiverb of digitech . the pedal wont turn on when u push the switch. when u plugged the adaptor into the pedal its blinks 3 times the red light. when u plugged it into amp sound goes through . do u have any idea what could be the problem? and how to check sw1 switch?

[@pougnetpedals]

Not much experience with the digiverb, but i suggest looking at the supply. I think the LED blinks when they are turned. Maybe a dead or dying battery, a bad dc adapter, or something burnt up in the power section of the board.

[@rickcypher4240]

Great video! Maybe a nit but the correct term would be “seated” properly, not “seeded” on your chart. Keep up the good work!

[@pougnetpedals]

Not the first one to mention it. That's why it's version one..haha. thanks!

[@ropy29]

I’d suggest another block in the chart for “audio bypass ok but no sound when engaged”: is the input jack cable actually connected to the guitar and the output jack cable to the amp? I lost 2 hours yesterday for having them the other way around...

[@pougnetpedals]

Haha. I will have to add it for version 2

[@LawGone1]

Yes. I’ve been there too. Embarrassing but true

[@jonsatterfield991]

Hello. First off I don’t build or know Very much about petals. But this video has been the most informative on petals in general, but I am having a problem where I just bought a new panel change the battery and now the bypass works but it does not work when engaged with the light comes on and I may have missed it in this video but I did not really catch a way that I can troubleshoot any reply would be super helpful thank you

[@jonsatterfield991]

Insert pedal where needed … my apologies … talk to text at it’s finest

[@carlosshedden2210]

Hi guys. I have the following issue: When the pedal is off, a low/quiet signal is being received. When the pedal is on, the effect got engaged and the right volume got re-established. What could be causing this issue?

[@NZ1one1]

I’ve just built my first pedal, an overdrive based on the design on Wampler website.. volume and tone works as expected but drive does not.. have checked voltages on the board and everything is fine; so I’m thinking it’s either the pot has malfunctioned or it’s the capacitor or diodes in the clipping part of the circuit..

[@jstro-hobbytech]

This dude doesn't actually know what clipping means brother. You're ahead of the game around here.

[@quantaphobia317]

Bro, my distortion pedal still give a light indication but it did not give out any sound,,,,,? Can you help me.....?

[@mikerevis6439]

I like the chart, but when updated can you post a high quality jpg or pdf? I copied it and it was barely legible. Thanks. Good work!!

[@pougnetpedals]

Did you copy it from the reddit link?

[@mikerevis6439]

@@pougnetpedals yes sir I did. And I must say there are some really good "fact" based ideas you're putting out there on these videos, very helpful to an amateur wanna be such as myself! Thanks.

[@coreycrochet923]

Question…I built a Spirit Box and the pedal works but LED does not work. I switched the polarity on my solo power supply and the LED works but then the pedal does not. I’ve been looking all over for an answer. Do I switch the pins around on the LED to the board? Hoping you can help.

[@MrGuitarfreak132]

Sounds to me like the LED is backwards

[@dominickl4456]

So my pedal is at the stage where all the components are soldered but I haven’t connected the switch or the led. I wanted to test it so I hooked it up to my amp and guitar and got nothing but a constant noise. But when I would turn the pots, the hum would either get louder or quieter. Any suggestions?

[@pougnetpedals]

Hmm. That's a tough one. Start checking component orientation. If the hum gets louder, maybe something is leaking into your output. Use a scope at the input and see where your test signal disappears

[@dominickl4456]

@@pougnetpedals hey thanks for the reply but I’ve realized that I was using really shitty solder and it was causing cold joints which eventually led to heat damage. I got some better stuff and am trying over again 👍

[@hackmeister]

I'm having an issue with a 30 year old Morley wah pedal. The pedal works fine if my only effect is the Morley. When I add other effects to the chain the Morley stops working when engaged. When off the bypass still works. I checked the voltage on the input jack and it's 9.6 volts with no other effects in the chain. When I add other effects the voltage starts fluctuating (down). Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[@pougnetpedals]

How many other pedals on in the chain? Are they all off the same supply ...say in a daisy chain? Might have too many.

[@hackmeister]

@@pougnetpedals The same issue occurs regardless if it's one or more.

[@pougnetpedals]

Yeah. But it's about current draw. So knowing what the adapter can handle and what the pedals draw is #1. Usually once current draw goes up, you will see the voltage dip. I used to have one of those Morley wahs but I can't remember the draw. Rule of thumb is if you need 50mA for all your pedals in your daisy chain, use a 100mA adapter. If that doesn't resolve the issue, I would probably check the ground connections on the Morley. Hopefully that helps!

[@CrazyNachooo]

What is a charge pump?

[@DeformedDevices]

You come across like an accountant not a guitar guy lol. Im super into because you actually explained things in a really clear way. Appreciate the troubleshooting guide!

[@Lightningph]

Please help. My looper pedal isn’t working. Every time I plug the pedal in, it doesn’t turn on. If I hold the button down, it has a red light, but if I press the button, nothing happens. What could be the problem?

[@pougnetpedals]

Tough one without the pedal name or schematic. Also, its likely digital which makes debugging a bit harder. My only guess, and it's a long shot,is to check the power supply. I only say this as I have heard of similar issues with ditto loopers

[@Lightningph]

@@pougnetpedals it’s a Koogo looper pedal. The back it like glued on. No screws, so I can’t get into it. I’ve tried multiple power supplies and it’s doing the same thing

[@Swindel67]

@@Lightningph see where the pedal compresses? There should be a black knob which unscrews then you can get inside.

[@rokinrandy]

What if it’s a reverb pedal and it has a light and hardly used. But there is signal. it’s just hissy and noisy and the effect don’t work.

[@pougnetpedals]

Could be a lot. Depends on what type of reverb as well? is it using a digital brick? a pt2399.

[@markmagee3961]

just want to clarify,do you mean seated?

[@billyparham630]

i have a no name pedal some random guy made for me ages ago. if i don't have the schematics, am i fucked?

[@trevorjames5493]

Also I forgot to add that I looked all over the Internet and I can't find a schematic for it anywhere

[@jstro-hobbytech]

Dude you know so little you're leading these people astray and youll meet someone that doesnt have a clue what you're saying as its like you learned some jargon but not what it means. You do not know enough to confuse yourself further with a crap scope. These people look up to you man. I was where you are once but realized the more i learned the less i knew. Im humble. Im only trying to help. Im harsh but it doesnt come from a mean place.

[@jstro-hobbytech]

@@BryanClark-gk6ie ill help if I can brother

[@jshort4069]

Are Canadians even real? Asking for a friend.

[@dasdaro]

I built a JHS morning glory clone, called the Gloryhole from pedal PCB. I forgot to order the proper transistor. so I improvised with anything I had laying around. I found one that worked, but the volume is very low. I ordered a new transistor. Will this fix the volume problem?