Pot replacement, cleaning, and maintenance for an Ashdown AL-MK500.
This is a bass amplifier.
The main volume pot had severe scratching noise, so bad that no sound could be produced.
Additionally, the output jack was poorly secured; the washer was missing. This meant tightening it didn’t secure it properly, causing it to rattle and move around.
I added a washer and fixed it so it stays securely in place.
I replaced the volume pot with one I had on hand and restored it to a state where sound can be produced without issues.
Repairs on amps and effects pedals are not covered under warranty. Since identical replacement parts are often unavailable, we sometimes use suitable substitutes when possible.
This was my first time working on this bass amp, and it has a very clean, excellent sound without any harshness.
Honestly, it’s baffling why this didn’t become a standard model. It’s definitely easier to handle and sounds better than Hartke or Ampeg.
The replacement plug is the FURUTECH FP-703, which I also recommend.
I feel L-shaped plugs are inferior to straight plugs in terms of sound quality, so I generally recommend using straight plugs unless an L-shape is absolutely necessary for your setup.
After the replacement, the sound became cleaner with no more harshness or sluggishness, and the frequency balance improved significantly.
While just changing the plug can affect the sound, soldering itself also alters the sound, so I don’t recommend doing the wiring yourself.
Even if you get sound out of it, it’s often not sound that’s been properly optimized.
The tester check showed that the pot was acting strangely, so we replaced it and fixed the problem.
Also, the LED seems to be damaged and does not light up.
Used or old effectors are prone to breakage in various areas.
Just like guitars, pots and jacks wear out and need to be replaced.
We do not offer a warranty for effects work, but we can replace parts that can be replaced just like a guitar.
This is an older model, different from the current version.
The customer had replaced the wiring themselves but felt unsure about it, so we redid the work and made adjustments in various areas.
This was a wah pedal with a narrower range of variation, producing a response that could be described as having a natural feel.
Wah pedals often have modifications, and their sound can vary significantly depending on the era and model, so finding one that suits your personal preference can be quite challenging.
Replacing the foot switch on an Empress Effect Gene Drive.
The sound was too quiet when switched ON.
Upon inspection, it appeared the foot switch had poor contact.
Replacing it with a new foot switch fixed the issue.
Foot switches are consumable parts; they break down with repeated switching.
A key point to note is whether such consumable parts are designed for easy replacement. This is an important consideration when purchasing effects pedals.
For some reason, many effects pedal brands design their products with parts that are difficult to replace when the time comes. Such units can become extremely expensive to repair.
I recommend opening the back panel to inspect the internal components before purchasing any effects pedal.
Avoid models with internal structures that make accessing a single part difficult, such as components soldered directly to the circuit board, or designs where the entire board is attached to the case and must be completely desoldered to remove it.
This particular model has no such issues.
Replacement of the DC jack on a Strymon Brigadier.
The DC jack had poor contact causing power loss, and while the right channel produced sound, effects were not applying.
We couldn’t determine the cause of the right channel issue here, so we replaced the DC jack due to the poor contact.
The owner stated it’s fine for use as a left channel (mono), but stereo output to two amplifiers or similar setups is not possible.
Effects pedals are outside our specialty, so repairs are limited, but we can generally handle simple fixes.
For musical instrument use, the 3368 has always been my top recommendation and is perfectly sufficient.
Cables from other manufacturers are simply too expensive.
The 3368 offers a well-balanced frequency response and excellent sound quality. Since cables are consumables, it’s fair to say the 3368 is virtually unmatched in delivering great sound at a low price.
This particular cable was rebuilt due to customer error, including repairs. The customer provided the parts, and we rebuilt it from scratch.
This was another good learning experience for us, but faulty parts (like those subjected to excessive soldering heat) degrade the sound.
Also, L-shaped connectors sound worse. We’ve always used straight connectors exclusively because L-shapes drop the sound quality by a notch.
The overall sound is on the thicker side (a bit muddy), so to achieve good sound, selecting quality materials is essential, and soldering technique is also crucial.
※今現在でクルミラ加工された正式に音を良くする物として販売されている商品はラインナップにございませんのでご注意下さい。(私が勝手に音を良くする事として使っているだけです。)
ES Vlog Shopで販売されている「ESVLOGオリジナル電磁波対策セット」がお勧めです。(案件ではありません)
この音が変化する効果についてはこのブログ記事に載せてあるYoutubeでの実験動画をご確認下さい。
This is a DC jack replacement and battery snap replacement for a Jam Pedal Fuzz Flaze.
The DC jack has a buzz and the battery snap is damaged and will be replaced.
This model is a reproduction of an old vintage fuzz.
Similar models are available in the current market, but they have different designs and internal circuits.
This one looks like the Jimi Hendrix model, but there is also a regular version available.