I picked up one of these seafoam green 18v models used and it's got an issue. Volume is really low, whether the pedal is on or in bypass. I've opened it up but I'm not sure what I should be looking for unless there's a trim pot in there somewhere. Does anyone have any ideas on this one? It’s definitely getting 18v. Thanks so much!
The old frustration creeping in? Put that hammer away!
It's gotta be something simple here's what I'd do
Use the CE2 schematic check all active device outputs in the audio path (blue ish lines), if an outputs low volume, trace it back
Most analog choruses will be similar circuit nodes if you're not sure if it's the buffer or whatever you can compare to the schematic see if yours has a 47n and a 1K going to the base or gate of transistors etc, you can ignore the switching, power supply and LFO for now and trace this basic audio path obviously yours is using TL072 dual op amps and an MA17741 single op amp instead of 4558 and TL022 for the LFO and filter/mixer
Because it works the clock, regulator, LFO etc must be ok it could well be not enough juice as @Feral Feline says but you'd need to systematically eliminate things starting at the input buffer
Because it's low volume in bypass and effect mode I thought it might be in the switching circuit but I don't know, not knowing if the 4013 is used to toggle fets or whatever I thought it had to be something common to both did you probe the 4013
While pulling one TL072, a pad or two came off with it, and now I get no chorus in bypass and even lower output. Thanks so much for the help but it’s going on Reverb for $20 for someone with more repair skills than myself. I have a Caesar chorus to build anyway.
While pulling one TL072, a pad or two came off with it, and now I get no chorus in bypass and even lower output. Thanks so much for the help but it’s going on Reverb for $20 for someone with more repair skills than myself.
Man I appreciate your replies so much. I’ll probably put some other 2-knob PCB in the enclosure so it doesn’t go to waste. Re-painting it in a sparkle finish might be pretty sweet. A Red Llama or DOD 250 or Tone Bender perhaps. Been meaning to build all three. Just need to figure out how to get the footswitch to work with it.
Very tempted to try taking that off your hands, but I'm no trouble-shooter.
I like the idea of recycling the enclosure. Maybe stuff an HM2 in there or a Bumble Buzz Fuzz whatever it's called (no knobs) and you can have a sleeper pedal... Say to your band-mates: "I'm just going to kick in a subtle chorus for the bridge of the song..." .
Even better if you lend it as a chorus to a friend.
Very tempted to try taking that off your hands, but I'm no trouble-shooter.
I like the idea of recycling the enclosure. Maybe stuff an HM2 in there or a Bumble Buzz Fuzz whatever it's called (no knobs) and you can have a sleeper pedal... Say to your band-mates: "I'm just going to kick in a subtle chorus for the bridge of the song..." .
Even better if you lend it as a chorus to a friend.
Well, I took another look at the spot I thought I messed up, and I was able to re-flow the joints and get chorus/bypass sound again. I changed out the other TL072 and...I'm still back at square one with the low volume issue, but at least it's not completely broken like I thought!
