Dan-Echo crapped out on me in rehearsal ... possibly fixable

[ratherdashing]

Re: Dan-Echo crapped out on me in rehearsal ... possibly fixable

That's cool. Put a DPDT switch in there to go between the jumper and the resistor and you can make it do that anytime you want. Better yet, make the switch a stomp switch so you can do it on the fly.

Not a bad idea. You could actually do that with a simple on-off switch wired in parallel with the resistor. I'll update my parts list above to include that.

I can envision a scenario where I wouldn't want the delay to self-oscillate, so the toggle is a good idea. Adding another stomp switch for it is a bit over the top IMO, plus it would raise the cost a great deal. Toggles are cheap.

 

[LoFiBrian]

Re: Dan-Echo crapped out on me in rehearsal ... possibly fixable

You guys are getting me all excited...

I do actually love this effect...so this might be worth the hassle.

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: Dan-Echo crapped out on me in rehearsal ... possibly fixable

More info on the switch (in case anyone cares):

There is definitely not any sort of mechanical bypass going on here, which is not surprising. The foot switch itself is actually a momentary DPDT switch, kind of like this one:

http://www.smallbearelec.com/Detail.bok?no=25

... but not nearly as robust.

Actually, I could probably get away with using a SPST switch, since it's wired like this:

1 3 5
2 4 6

1 and 2 are not connected to anything. 3 and 4 are jumpered and connected to a pin on an IC. 5 and 6 are jumpered and connected to another pin on the same IC. I believe this is referred to as "logic switching", in that it uses logic gates in the IC to make the actual switch.

I also metered the thing to find out how it works. When the switch is up, 1 and 5 are connected, and 2 and 6 are connected. When the switch is down 3 and 5 are connected, and 4 and 6 are connected.

So, I have two choices regarding the switch:

1. Replace the current one with this: http://www.smallbearelec.com/Detail.bok?no=26 . Wire one lug to 3/4 and the other lug to 5/6. The pedal operates as it does now (except of course the switch is a lot more durable).

2. Bypass the pedal's switching mechanism altogether and wire up a 3PDT switch for true mechanical bypass. Without proper schematics (which I have attempted to find to no avail), I really don't think this would be feasible. Even with schematics, the risk of breaking the pedal is much higher than with the first option.

I'll update the parts list above with the off-on momentary switch. If I ever do decide I want true bypass (unlikely), I'll probably just put it in a loop box.

One other interesting note: this pedal operates slightly differently than a Boss when it comes to switching. Boss pedals are logic switched as well, and the effect is off by default when you plug them in. When I plug this pedal in after being unplugged for more than about 10 seconds, it turns the effect on. If I unplug it and plug it back in quickly, the effect will be turned off. This is pretty strange.

Do you guys with Danelectro pedals experience this as well, or is it just me? Maybe there's something else wrong with mine. It's not a major problem by any means, just kind of odd, especially since my other pedals don't behave that way.

 

[LoFiBrian]

Re: Dan-Echo crapped out on me in rehearsal ... possibly fixable

mine does the same thing...its always been odd to me aswell.

 

[ErikH]

Re: Dan-Echo crapped out on me in rehearsal ... possibly fixable

Some Boss pedals are like that too. I still don't understand why. Could be the design of the FETs in the switching system or something else in the design.

Sounds like you have a good grip on that switching. That's the way I'd do it too. If your sound is fine in bypass mode, there's no need to mess with anything else.

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: Dan-Echo crapped out on me in rehearsal ... possibly fixable

mine does the same thing...its always been odd to me aswell.

Alright, cool ... I'm glad to know it's not just mine.

 

[LesStrat]

Re: Dan-Echo crapped out on me in rehearsal ... possibly fixable

I picked up a DanEcho from an Imp. It's in my closet.

I have a DD6 on my pedalboard, and I use the POD X3L most of the time anyway.

 

[KirkRem]

Re: Dan-Echo crapped out on me in rehearsal ... possibly fixable

I found this thread while I was searching for some troubleshooting tips for my own metal housed Dan Echo pedal that recently stopped working. The pedal hasn't been heavily used in the past 15 or so years that I've owned it but I let a friend use it for the past couple years and he may have knocked it around a bit.

The light still goes on when I step on the pedal but no sound is going through the pedal in either the on or off position. I checked the input and output jacks and they both seem to be in pretty good condition despite being the plastic cheapo ones. They are both mounted firmly on the board and the guitar cable snaps into place in each one with satisfying click.

Does anyone have any tips for troubleshooting a guitar pedal with this issue? I'm new to this kind of work but I figure it could be a fun hobby to learn more about these pedals and see if I can get this one working again.