• Registered: 2008-10-02
  • Posts: 373

Topic: The Weekend of Broken Pedals!

So my band had a gig Saturday first one in about 6 months, a short gig to get us back out and playing regularly.  Anyway I use a Vox Tonelab LE for my effect run strait into my Jubilee. I don’t use the models even though they are very good just the effects which I feel are ok. The delays are ok. The Vibe is real nice and so is the wah, I don’t like the reverbs or the OD. So I use a Carl Martin hot drive and boost. We have a really delay heavy song in our set very U2ish. At practice one of the buttons on the vox sticks and I can’t change patches, set the board to pedal mode or use the tuner, turn it on and off same thing, the rest of the night, does this Friday and Saturday as well. So I don’t have time to rip the thing apart so I grab the old pedal board and start hooking things back together

Well the old board has a Line 6 DL4 – Lots of great effects but mostly useless live this thing has a volume drop problem, especially with the repeated delays no matter what setting. But I will muddle through, Next my MXR Phase 90 which I always though was a little to present and heard there is an inside trim pot to adjust so I open her up and find the trim pot and manage to break the speed knob while doing this, pedal is now useless. Great so I got to hook up basically the DL4 in the loop, A Tuner, Carl Martin and a compressor. I must have about 20 patch cords which only 2 worked…. This is now an hour before gig time! I was so mad and frustrated.

Gig went well pedals worked OK no problems.

So now the dilemma do I rebuild a pedal board, I need a good delay, something that is not a Boss product that I can save delay setting to, I need a Phase a Univibe a Reverb and maybe a wah and a tuner, not to mention something to power all this. OR do I look for another all in one unit like the Line 6 M13 or something.  Or put everything in a wood chipper and call it a day! HA

2 Reply by RickB (edited by RickB 2010-05-03 15:25:18)

  • RickB
  • RickB
  • BONAMEGAMETAL
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  • From: San Diego
  • Registered: 2009-10-30
  • Posts: 12,198

Re: The Weekend of Broken Pedals!

A competent tech could sort out that pile of doo for 1/2 the replacement cost. Learn to solder and use a meter and you can fix that pile of patch cords in one evening.
Rick

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  • Registered: 2008-10-02
  • Posts: 373

Re: The Weekend of Broken Pedals!

I can solder a little bit and have a meter but don't know how to use it very well.

4 Reply by RickB (edited by RickB 2010-05-03 16:03:09)

  • RickB
  • RickB
  • BONAMEGAMETAL
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  • From: San Diego
  • Registered: 2009-10-30
  • Posts: 12,198

Re: The Weekend of Broken Pedals!

Big E wrote:

I can solder a little bit and have a meter but don't know how to use it very well.

Easy. Most patch cord repairs are in the connector and can be seen by taking the shell apart and looking for broken wires or shorts. The rest are usually a wire broken by flexing close to where the cable comes out of the connector. Put the meter on the continuity check if it has one or Ohms in a low range. Check for continuity between the same part of the connector from end to end. If it is in the cable, cut off 6 inches, remake the connections and check again. Also check for short circuits between all pins in the connector. It is not rocket science and a little practice can save you a lot of bucks that can be better spent on new toys.  smile
Rick
edit. If you are visually challenged in close work like me, invest in a binocular magnifying loup. Inexpensive plastic ones can be found for usually 5 bucks at an electronic supply store, or online. Worth their weight in gold for close inspection of the connector solder joints and while repairing those joints. Add a pair of fine tip needle nose pliers and a pair of miniature sharp dikes and you are set. Use electronic solder in a fine gauge, the kind with a flux core. Practice  soldering on a few junk connectors so you can get a nice smooth solder joint. It takes a little practice to get the feel for how much heat to apply. Use a wet sponge to wipe the tip of the iron frequently and tin the iron tip before starting the job so heat is transferred quickly. Tin the wire before you make the connection. Solder joints should look smooth and shiny. If it is grainy looking, do it again.

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  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: The Weekend of Broken Pedals!

Honestly dude if patch cables are the problem make your own.  I just made a whole rig full of custom cables from George L's and it could not have been easier.  Once you get the hang of putting them together it's a snap.  As far as multi effects go for your needs, there are a bunch of options.  The TC Electronic G-System is a very nice all-in-one effects device that can save presets and avoid the pedalboard nightmare.  The TC Nova is a smaller, more affordable version of that.  Also, I've heard great things about the Fractal Axe FX units.  They do convincing amp simulations, pedals models, and much much more.

Honestly Big E, after dealing with just about every possible pedal board/rig setup I've finally settled on a rack mount rig.  Nearly all of my pedals are mounted on a rack shelf and can be selected by my RJM Effects Gizmo.  I can chose endless combinations of amplifiers, pedals, and/or multi effects rack units.  All of it is controlled by a single MIDI controller that speaks with the Effects Gizmo calling forth any preset I desire.  No tap dancing, no beat up pedals, no tangled up cables, less noise, less tone suckage, and way more flexability.

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.
  • Registered: 2008-10-02
  • Posts: 373

Re: The Weekend of Broken Pedals!

I think I am just frustrated with effects in general when you spend a few hunderd dollors then things break or don't sound very good it just gets me.

I  can fix the patch cords and the Phaser, its the cost of all of it, to build a nice board with some good pedals is easy $500 to $1000 or I can pick up a all in one effect unit like the M13 for $400. I can't afford the TC stuff as much as I would like to, but when it comes down to it the only person who notices the difference in effect quality is me because the audiance doesn't care if I have a $50 Delay Pedal or a 3k Rack Delay, there drinking anyway! HA

I guess when it comes down to it, do I buy few good effects a good power supply or just get the all in one unit and live with some of the effects only being so so..... Tough choice!

E

  • From: N.Wales, UK
  • Registered: 2009-03-06
  • Posts: 2,183

Re: The Weekend of Broken Pedals!

Note to self: Don't F around with trim pots in univibes....DUH!  roll

  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: The Weekend of Broken Pedals!

Big E wrote:

I  can fix the patch cords and the Phaser, its the cost of all of it, to build a nice board with some good pedals is easy $500 to $1000 or I can pick up a all in one effect unit like the M13 for $400. I can't afford the TC stuff as much as I would like to,
E

The Nova System is $500 and to me sounds a little better than the M13.  Both would be fine for getting a wide selection of tones for live applications.

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.
  • Registered: 2008-10-02
  • Posts: 373

Re: The Weekend of Broken Pedals!

Thanks Stratpaul guy I really like the Nova Delay and was thinking about buying one, but this looks really cool to.

  • Registered: 2007-11-04
  • Posts: 404

Re: The Weekend of Broken Pedals!

The Nova Delay is an awsome delay pedal.  I bought one from sweetwater and have been very happy with it.  It does everything from have a tap delay to offer a knob that goes from Tape delay to analog to digital.  I love the sound of it. 

Great construction, I am very happy with it.  I also love my DD-5 delay.  But it doesnt have the tap function.

  • Registered: 2008-10-02
  • Posts: 373

Re: The Weekend of Broken Pedals!

Does the Nova delay color the sound of the repeats that is the one thing I have trouble with delay's espically the boss ones is they sound a bit digital. THe best Delay I have heard that sounds great is the Guyatone MD3 I was thinking of picking another one up since mine was stolen but I really want something that I can save presets to.

  • Registered: 2008-03-07
  • Posts: 508

Re: The Weekend of Broken Pedals!

MAD PROFESSOR DEEP BLUE DELAY

is supposed to be one of the best sounding delays that dosent sound digital and is controllable infront of you your amp or in the loop !!

"Everybody's entitled to my opinion. wink