Pedal Repair
- Thread starter Lu_B
- Start date
ratherdashing
Kablamminator
Re: Pedal Repair
If you can solder, and you have a decent soldering iron, replacing an LED on a pedal is quite simple.
Of course, this all assumes that it's the LED itself that's the problem and not some other related component.
I would be happy to give you instructions if you take the guts out of the pedal and post some pics. I'm not familiar with the internals of the Carbon Copy, but I imagine it's fairly similar to other MXR pedals in a general sense.
If you can solder, and you have a decent soldering iron, replacing an LED on a pedal is quite simple.
Of course, this all assumes that it's the LED itself that's the problem and not some other related component.
I would be happy to give you instructions if you take the guts out of the pedal and post some pics. I'm not familiar with the internals of the Carbon Copy, but I imagine it's fairly similar to other MXR pedals in a general sense.
J
Jessie Sammler
Guest
Re: Pedal Repair
There are four things about the infamous LED replacement that make it fun:
1.) Finding the right voltage replacement LED.
2.) Finding the right size replacement LED.
3.) Finding the right color replacement LED -- there are many shades of each color.
4.) The actual soldering in of the new part. It's often a hoot.
There are four things about the infamous LED replacement that make it fun:
1.) Finding the right voltage replacement LED.
2.) Finding the right size replacement LED.
3.) Finding the right color replacement LED -- there are many shades of each color.
4.) The actual soldering in of the new part. It's often a hoot.
Lu_B
New member
tone4days
Heel Whacker
Re: Pedal Repair
this
related and equally important is getting an idea as to why something broke in the first place ... if it is as simple as a wire came detached, then simple fix ... but if it is a problem invisible to the naked eye, well, youre in for some detective work ...
simple LED part malfunction ? - improbable but possible - replace part with new one - bob's your uncle
another component failed or otherwise became inoperative? - ah, there's the rub ... need more diagnostic tools (sig gen, o'scope, etc), likely a schematic, and a knowledge of circuit debugging techniques
good luck
t4d
this
related and equally important is getting an idea as to why something broke in the first place ... if it is as simple as a wire came detached, then simple fix ... but if it is a problem invisible to the naked eye, well, youre in for some detective work ...
simple LED part malfunction ? - improbable but possible - replace part with new one - bob's your uncle
another component failed or otherwise became inoperative? - ah, there's the rub ... need more diagnostic tools (sig gen, o'scope, etc), likely a schematic, and a knowledge of circuit debugging techniques
good luck
t4d
crusty philtrum
Vintageologist
Re: Pedal Repair
It's not that bad, get one the same size and colour, orientate it the right way and solder it in. It may possibly be a little brighter or a little less bright than the original but it will be fine, assuming that it is only the LED at fault. Actually you can measure the voltage across the two points where the LED is soldered in (making sure the effect is activated of course) to ensure that voltage is actually present.
It's not that bad, get one the same size and colour, orientate it the right way and solder it in. It may possibly be a little brighter or a little less bright than the original but it will be fine, assuming that it is only the LED at fault. Actually you can measure the voltage across the two points where the LED is soldered in (making sure the effect is activated of course) to ensure that voltage is actually present.
stevie_bees
Cat In The Hatministrator
Re: Pedal Repair
The actual replacement shouldn't be too difficult, just make sure it's the right one...
The actual replacement shouldn't be too difficult, just make sure it's the right one...
Lu_B
New member
Re: Pedal Repair
The pedal itself seems to be working fine, it switches OK and the controls all seem to be responding, even the modulation button. Only thing not working is the blue led when its switched on.
I think accidentally leaving it on for a couple of days might not have helped!
The pedal itself seems to be working fine, it switches OK and the controls all seem to be responding, even the modulation button. Only thing not working is the blue led when its switched on.
I think accidentally leaving it on for a couple of days might not have helped!
Lu_B
New member
Re: Pedal Repair
Don't worry curly I won't hold it against you!
it's more common to develop a short somewhere than have the LED stop working ... but you won't know until you open it up, and since it works OK, it could very well be the LED
sorry, that was absolutely no help
Don't worry curly I won't hold it against you!
crusty philtrum
Vintageologist
Re: Pedal Repair
LEDs are a polarised component, i.e. there is only one correct way to wire the component onto the board, there are distinct positive (+) and negative (-) legs, and the LED will not work if it is wired the wrong way round. It is unusual for LEDs to fail, although it can happen, and sometimes in guitar pedals i suspect that it could be mechanical damage, e.g. vibration.
You could try making a note of which way the current LED (pun not intended) is orientated, unsolder it from the board and then measure the voltage across the 2 points where you removed the LED from (remember to have a battery installed or a power supply connected and probably a guitar lead plugged into the input jack (I don't have a schematic in front of me right now) and switch the effect to 'ON'. There should be a small voltage between those two points, between one and two Volts probably. It is possible to touch another LED accross those points and see if *it* lights.
If there is no voltage present and you are certain that the effect is switched on, (best way to be sure is to have the pedal working between a guitar and amp so you can hear it), the problem will probably lay elsewhere. LEDs are cheap, pick up a few different ones and see what happens.
EDIT : just noticed you said 'blue LED' .... they are more expensive than red, green and yellow, but still not painfully expensive.
LEDs are a polarised component, i.e. there is only one correct way to wire the component onto the board, there are distinct positive (+) and negative (-) legs, and the LED will not work if it is wired the wrong way round. It is unusual for LEDs to fail, although it can happen, and sometimes in guitar pedals i suspect that it could be mechanical damage, e.g. vibration.
You could try making a note of which way the current LED (pun not intended) is orientated, unsolder it from the board and then measure the voltage across the 2 points where you removed the LED from (remember to have a battery installed or a power supply connected and probably a guitar lead plugged into the input jack (I don't have a schematic in front of me right now) and switch the effect to 'ON'. There should be a small voltage between those two points, between one and two Volts probably. It is possible to touch another LED accross those points and see if *it* lights.
If there is no voltage present and you are certain that the effect is switched on, (best way to be sure is to have the pedal working between a guitar and amp so you can hear it), the problem will probably lay elsewhere. LEDs are cheap, pick up a few different ones and see what happens.
EDIT : just noticed you said 'blue LED' .... they are more expensive than red, green and yellow, but still not painfully expensive.
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ratherdashing
Kablamminator
Re: Pedal Repair
A few follow-up comments:
A dead LED is unlikely, but not unheard of.
Any 5mm round LED will work just fine in an MXR pedal. They come in many colours, so now might be a good opportunity to put in the colour you've always wanted.
Just a warning: white ones tend to be very bright (almost too bright really) for pedal use. You will find the opposite problem with purple. Yellow, orange, red, blue, and green are all very good.
You shouldn't have to pay more than 50 cents for a 5mm LED. Worst case scenario, it still doesn't work and you learn that it's something else in the circuit.
If you post the gut shot, I can tell you exactly what to do.
A few follow-up comments:
A dead LED is unlikely, but not unheard of.
Any 5mm round LED will work just fine in an MXR pedal. They come in many colours, so now might be a good opportunity to put in the colour you've always wanted.
Just a warning: white ones tend to be very bright (almost too bright really) for pedal use. You will find the opposite problem with purple. Yellow, orange, red, blue, and green are all very good.
You shouldn't have to pay more than 50 cents for a 5mm LED. Worst case scenario, it still doesn't work and you learn that it's something else in the circuit.
If you post the gut shot, I can tell you exactly what to do.
GoldenVulture
Braindeadologist
Re: Pedal Repair
The Positive+ is usually longer.
