So i’ve sorta heavily modified my newer Russian Big Muff Pi and having some weird issues with the Sustain pot, where when full counterclockwise it basically silences the unit when the effect is engaged. Not sure where to begin on troubleshooting the issue but this is what i’ve done modification wise:

Removed the first pair of diodes, replaced the second pair of diodes with LEDs (which did light up but not any longer…could be part of the problem???) had to replace Q3 because the original was damaged (maybe the issue is here?).

got some advice elsewhere to put a 1k resistor to ground to stop all the signal running to ground… but not sure what is exactly meant by that (putting the resistor across lugs 1 and 2 or 1 and 3 on the pot???) still sorta a newbie at this.