Dan Armstrong - Orange Squeezer

fuzzbuzzfuzz · Post by **fuzzbuzzfuzz** » 21 Aug 2013, 04:01

Hello Alll,

I`d very much appreciate a hand with a non working Orange Squeezer.

Mine is the early 80s Maxon built model reissue. Well made, fairly true to the original I think, and neat inside with the Tubescreamer chip, but bought as junk for $20.

But...

Bypass works fine.
NO signal with switch in on position
Checked battery and battery snap.
Checked using it at amp end instead of at guitar end (Although I do not know which way the wires should be connected for either

)
Poked about for any odd noises/loose wires, nothing...

Here`s some gutshots:

I have limited knowledge, but it seems a relatively simple circuit?

Any help much appreciated, thanks!

(NB. Hole in the front is a feature of the Maxon made models allowing access to the internal trim)

induction · Post by **induction** » 21 Aug 2013, 15:29

Have you tried tweaking the trimpot? At one end of its range it should be silent, at the other end, it should be a clean boost.

fuzzbuzzfuzz · Post by **fuzzbuzzfuzz** » 22 Aug 2013, 13:52

Thanks for the help induction.

I tweaked both the bias and volume trims back and forth to no avail, however if I touch certain parts of the circuit board underneath with my thumb I can hear the electrical hum noise - which I can reduce by tweaking the volume trim. So something must be working...

I guess the next step is to voltmeter each part of the component trail - not my area of expertise but needs must!

Keep the advice coming :thumbs:

induction · Post by **induction** » 26 Aug 2013, 20:13

Can you post photos of both sides of the board, as well as the wiring connections (especially the switch)?

fuzzbuzzfuzz · Post by **fuzzbuzzfuzz** » 27 Aug 2013, 06:20

Here are some more pics, hope these help.

: OS - circuit

: Os - wiring

: Os - back of circuit

Intripped · Post by **Intripped** » 27 Aug 2013, 13:22

...check this

fuzzbuzzfuzz · Post by **fuzzbuzzfuzz** » 02 Sep 2013, 12:52

Hi thank you for that.

I am not sure exactly the best way to check this area. I have tried bridging the solder/trace gap with a wire. Should I simply add solder to this trace?

How would I step by step debug this circuit?

One problem is that with this unit it was advised under the lid that a user could unsolder and reverse the wires to use plugged into the amp instead of guitar. But I do not know which way mine was set-up. In bypass mode it lets signal through in either position BUT undoubtedly the unit only works one way when ON, and there`s a risk I could be fruitlessly debugging but the unit is plugged in the wrong end!

So is there a way to tell with the wiring as to which way it should be orientated, attached to guitar or attached to amp?

Thanks, quite a frustrating challenge, all help very much appreciated!

snofla1900 · Post by **snofla1900** » 02 Sep 2013, 14:04

Should I simply add solder to this trace?

Add a small piece you cut from a resistor or some other component just to make sure there is a connection. That's what I usually do.

Intripped · Post by **Intripped** » 02 Sep 2013, 16:06

your unit as it is now has the PULG wired as the INPUT and the female JACK as the OUTPUT
i.e. the yellow wire is the INPUT and the blue wire is the OUTPUT

anyway there's no risk in connecting the unit the other way around: if you invert IN and OUT the effect simply doesn't work, but no damage occurs to it - so you can try reversing the connections without worries.