HBE Hematoma mod question

[Silver Blues]

Short version:

It is said that removing the 1M resistor from the MPSA18's base (in the overdrive half) to Vref will improve the sound. I removed it in my build, and indeed it did make it sound a hair more open... I just left it out. After looking at the schematic I don't really understand what that resistor is doing there in the first place. There's already a 1M to ground that biases the tranny, is there not? What's the other one for and why would removing it make it sound better?

Schem is here.

Thanks for any help. It's really not as bad a pedal as people tend to think it is.

[induction]

That looks like pulldown resistor to prevent switch pops when switched on in unboosted mode. It will decrease the input impedance a little and make it less bright.

[Silver Blues]

I see. Strange... It seems to have the opposite effect for me. The pedal is quite dark stock. Anyway, it doesn't pop with or without it, I'm not sure whether to leave it in or take it out as the difference is extremely subtle.

[induction]

If it doesn't bug you, I suggest you leave it in. It might not pop without it now, but a little insurance can be a good thing. If it starts popping later (in the middle of a gig, of course) you'll just end up adding it back in.

[Silver Blues]

True enough. Thank you