tx-ogre Posted December 9, 2023 Share Posted December 9, 2023 (edited) I remember seeing a few guys who have posted here indicating that they repair/build guitar pedals. I could possibly use their assistance. I have a Digitech Drop pedal (very little use, but out of warranty) that I am having issues with and need assistance with troubleshooting. The owners manual doesn’t help. I contacted Digitech through their website, received confirmation that they received my inquiry, but have not received any further contact from them. I queried both YouTube and Google, but could not find anything relating to my issue or anyone here in the Austin area who repairs guitar pedals. I have a basic knowledge of electronics, a soldering station/tools, multi-meter, etc., so I can make my own repairs if they are not too complicated. I just need to know what to look for. If there is anyone out there who thinks they can assist me, please send me a PM. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Edited December 9, 2023 by tx-ogre Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dub-T-123 Posted December 9, 2023 Share Posted December 9, 2023 I have built and repaired lots of pedals. The Digitech Drop is going to have “no user serviceable parts” inside. A grain of rice is going to look big compared to most of the components (which are surface mounted) What is going wrong with the pedal? Did you try the pedal by itself? Ie not connected to other pedals but just guitar > drop > amp? Are you sure you’re using the right power supply and the input/outputs are connected the right way around? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tx-ogre Posted December 10, 2023 Author Share Posted December 10, 2023 (edited) 7 hours ago, Dub-T-123 said: I have built and repaired lots of pedals. The Digitech Drop is going to have “no user serviceable parts” inside. A grain of rice is going to look big compared to most of the components (which are surface mounted) What is going wrong with the pedal? Did you try the pedal by itself? Ie not connected to other pedals but just guitar > drop > amp? Are you sure you’re using the right power supply and the input/outputs are connected the right way around? It powers up fine. In bypass mode, the signal goes through it fine. When engaged, it works fine for awhile, then the signal cuts out, but both LEDs are still lit. And it will also work if I activate the Temporary On/Off switch and apply pressure to the switch. As soon as I disengage the switch, the signal cuts out. When I’m done playing for the day, I unplug the pedal board. When I plug it in the next day, it will work fine again the entire time, other times cutting out after a few minutes. I have checked all the pedals and cables in the signal chain separately so I’m 99% certain it’s the Drop pedal. Thanks for the heads up on the surface mounted components. I have worked with them in the past, but they definitely test the limits of my soldering skills. Edited December 10, 2023 by tx-ogre Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dub-T-123 Posted December 10, 2023 Share Posted December 10, 2023 Ok that’s a good description to work from. Basically when you have an intermittent problem which appears and disappears with physical pressure like that it’s usually a dry or broken solder joint. Judging by multiple functions of the foot switch it’s a relay operated guy so it may not necessarily be a solder joint directly related to the foot switch itself a product like this is basically all made by machines on the PCB itself and then probably some humans wired up the actual connections to the jacks or possibly daughter boards etc. any faulty connection to input/output jacks or power jack are likely to cut the entire signal on a pedal like this. This also happens to be a part of the production process particularly susceptible to error generally speaking so I’d start looking at solder joints in those areas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karloff Posted December 11, 2023 Share Posted December 11, 2023 Surfpup ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tx-ogre Posted December 12, 2023 Author Share Posted December 12, 2023 On 12/9/2023 at 7:20 PM, Dub-T-123 said: Ok that’s a good description to work from. Basically when you have an intermittent problem which appears and disappears with physical pressure like that it’s usually a dry or broken solder joint. Judging by multiple functions of the foot switch it’s a relay operated guy so it may not necessarily be a solder joint directly related to the foot switch itself a product like this is basically all made by machines on the PCB itself and then probably some humans wired up the actual connections to the jacks or possibly daughter boards etc. any faulty connection to input/output jacks or power jack are likely to cut the entire signal on a pedal like this. This also happens to be a part of the production process particularly susceptible to error generally speaking so I’d start looking at solder joints in those areas Thanks for the input. I appreciate it. The last couple of times I’ve used it, it has worked fine. No telling when it will act up again. It would be better if it just crapped out completely. I’m sure that would make it easier to troubleshoot. I finally heard from Digitech today and I’m on my own. They referred me to some authorized service centers, none of which are anywhere near me. So by the time I pay for the repair and the shipping, it’s not worth the effort. So I’m on my own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.