I figured I would ask here since a lot of you have most likely done this kind of build before...

I've been making a fuzz face clone using the original Dallas-Arbiter circuit schematic

I have 2 2N404a Germanium transistors. The circuit is breadboarded at the moment for testing. The jacks, 3pdt switch, and power are at the moment mounted in the top of the pedal housing just to make is sturdier for turning off and on and for plugging in and out of the jacks.

I have done research and followed the schematic so I'm sure I have the circuit wired correctly. My issue is when I turn the effect on the fuzz is so harsh and nasty it's unusable. The signal fades in and out with the attack of the string. There's a brief volume swell at the initial attack of most notes and then it fades out not to mention the horrible octave or harmonic tones that come through here and there.

I'm wondering if the transistors are garbage? I'm going to try out a simple test circuit to test the gain and leakage of the transistors, but in the mean time does anyone have any suggestions or experience with this?