Blackstar HT DistX pedal LED flashing?

[Wolfshead]

Are the HT pedals supposed to flash when you power them up? I just got a DistX and the LED in the valve flashes each time I turn it on, then stops and it starts to work...?
The pots are also scratchy on the gain and volume knobs, even after spraying them with switch cleaner.
I did read that these pedals are terribly unreliable but...well, I should have listened shouldn't I? This is a new pedal but I got it from an ebay seller so if I return it - given the weight of the pedal - I'll be out a fair bit on the postage. What a pain!

It's making me wonder if I should sell the HT20 Studio amp I bought a few weeks ago before THAT packs in too. Seems all the posts in the internet about crappy quality control in Blackstar products is right! :gurmpy:

 

[AlexR]

Re: Blackstar HT DistX pedal LED flashing?

Isn't this a tube pedal???
Tubes need some heatup time

 

[Wolfshead]

Re: Blackstar HT DistX pedal LED flashing?

It is Alex. I don't think it flashed the very first time I powered it up though, which is why I became a bit concerned when it did it the next couple of times. Posted on the Blackstar FB and Twitter pages - they favourited the tweet but didn't reply to it!

 

[Myaccount876]

Re: Blackstar HT DistX pedal LED flashing?

Have you read the manual? Some pedals are designed to have the LED flashing when the battery is low (like the Bogner Ecstasy pedals). I'd see if there is any purpose for the flashing light before assuming it is a problem.

 

[Wolfshead]

Re: Blackstar HT DistX pedal LED flashing?

Yeah, I've read the manual. There's no mention of the flashing. I used it yesterday and today and it doesn't flash the first time you use it. If you turn it off and leave it a while it flashes when you turn it back on. I'm going to assume there's nothing faulty about it as it seems to work fine. Just had a fun jamming session playing some WASP, Iced Earth and Love/Hate!

 

[stevie_bees]

Re: Blackstar HT DistX pedal LED flashing?

I have a HT-Dual. The first one I had had problems with the footswitch, and I had the entire pedal replaced free of charge through the shop I bought it at. I've had no problems since. One thing to check is that you have the right power supply. I think they changed the power supply from 22v to 16v (or vice-versa) at some point.

 

[Wolfshead]

Re: Blackstar HT DistX pedal LED flashing?

Yeah, it's a 22v PSU. These things seem to have lots (lots!) of QC issues but when they work everyone loves them. I have to be honest, if I had to do it again I'd get a Marshall DSL5 and a big muff but for now, if the Blackstar stuff holds up, I'm very happy.

 

[RStabler]

Re: Blackstar HT DistX pedal LED flashing?

I had this happen with my HT-Blackfire. I sent it back to the dealer and they repaired it. They said it was a circuit board problem.

That being said, no problems thereafter. I absolutely love it.

 

[Wolfshead]

Re: Blackstar HT DistX pedal LED flashing?

I tried it again yesterday. It doesn't flash the first time you power it up. I played it for a while then turned it off. Tried it again after 20 minutes or so and it did the flashing thing. It seems to work fine so I'm going to hold onto it rather than paying postage to send it back to the ebay seller. They come with a 3 year guarantee so if it breaks, it breaks.

 

[Fantom]

Re: Blackstar HT DistX pedal LED flashing?

have you checked out the actual Blackstar forum on their website?

 

[Wolfshead]

Re: Blackstar HT DistX pedal LED flashing?

Yep, posted there a few days ago, not had any replies. Looking back at other posts on there I see a few people with the same issue as me, but no-one ever replied to them either. The place looks dead.

 

[75lespaul]

Re: Blackstar HT DistX pedal LED flashing?

I had one a few years back. I never experienced what you did, so maybe there is a problem? Loved the pedal, by the way.