Well, finally after three attempts I got this to work properly.

The problem from day one was counterfeit transistors. They were marked as JFETs but they were NPN transistors As soon as I put a JFET in from Mouser everything started working as normal.

This last iteration I built on a PCB. Now I can go back and make the other iterations work. What a PITB!!



The CD player is playing Big Joe Turner through the amp. "Let the midnight special shine it light on me"



Counter fit parts....what a concept. I have been told there are a thousand silk screen people willing to put any number you want on a transistor.

Billy

“Amazing! I’ll be working with Jaco Pastorius, Charlie Parker, Art Tatum, and Buddy Rich, and you’re telling me it’s not that great of a gig?
“Well…” Saint Peter, hesitated, “God’s got this girlfriend who thinks she can sing…”