Why dont I learn ? Darn MXR/Dunlop crap!

[millsart]

So got my m173 classic fuzz today, this is basically the new hendrix FF bc108 fuzz but in a smaller case, ala a phase 100 sized pedal. Much more pedal board friendly to say the least.

Turns out that instead of the hand wired discrete componets like the FF, its a PCB but sounded pretty much the same in the 5 minutes I got to check it out.

Why 5 minutes you ask ?

Because the pedal already died, my guess is the footswitch. I can't get any signal through it and can't get it into bypass either.

Typical Dunlop/MXR crap as always, just fancy new "Analog Innovations" boxes lol


Picked up a Carbon Copy as well. Its still working but again, didnt impress me, can't get a decent slapback sound and its such a muddy delay yet doesn't have much warmth at all to speak off. Wasn't thrilled with that one either.


The BC108 Si fuzz is Dunlop but its handwired and its an exception, as is any old scripit stuff but let me tell you guys, learn from my mistakes

Don't buy MXR/Dunlop products, they are garbage. I keep having the same issues over and over and just don't seem to learn from my mistakes

 

[stuey222]

Re: Why dont I learn ? Darn MXR/Dunlop crap!

They sound fine when they work...They've had my Phase 90 for 5 weeks now and I haven't seen it since. They're only supposed to take 4 weeks for a warranty. I'm looking at phasers, any suggestions?

 

[That90'sGuy]

Re: Why dont I learn ? Darn MXR/Dunlop crap!

So got my m173 classic fuzz today, this is basically the new hendrix FF bc108 fuzz but in a smaller case, ala a phase 100 sized pedal. Much more pedal board friendly to say the least.

Turns out that instead of the hand wired discrete componets like the FF, its a PCB but sounded pretty much the same in the 5 minutes I got to check it out.

Why 5 minutes you ask ?

Because the pedal already died, my guess is the footswitch. I can't get any signal through it and can't get it into bypass either.

Typical Dunlop/MXR crap as always, just fancy new "Analog Innovations" boxes lol


Picked up a Carbon Copy as well. Its still working but again, didnt impress me, can't get a decent slapback sound and its such a muddy delay yet doesn't have much warmth at all to speak off. Wasn't thrilled with that one either.


The BC108 Si fuzz is Dunlop but its handwired and its an exception, as is any old scripit stuff but let me tell you guys, learn from my mistakes

Don't buy MXR/Dunlop products, they are garbage. I keep having the same issues over and over and just don't seem to learn from my mistakes

Sorry to hear that.

I had an MXR Phase 90 that was good to me, but the Dunlop Crybaby from Hell and MXR Double Shot pedals pretty much turned me off of those companies as well.

 

[Gunny47]

Re: Why dont I learn ? Darn MXR/Dunlop crap!

They sound fine when they work...They've had my Phase 90 for 5 weeks now and I haven't seen it since. They're only supposed to take 4 weeks for a warranty. I'm looking at phasers, any suggestions?

Retro-Sonic Phaser. Best aspects of a script logo Phase 90, plus speed and depth controls, LED, True-bypass and a level knob to get rid of that annoying volume drop when the stock phase 90 is engaged (or set to user's preference).

 

[J Moose]

Re: Why dont I learn ? Darn MXR/Dunlop crap!

Wow, that sucks to hear. I've had good luck with my MXR/Dunlop pieces... 15-20 year old Crybaby, an equally old, if not older Microamp; a newer Phase 90 I bought used a few years ago in Memphis... that one gets abused a lot, mainstay on the board... My Uni-Vibe has always been ok for what it is... got a newer (used) Dynacomp maybe six months or a year ago that was abducted by a friend before I got a chance to grok it and it's been in his acoustic rig ever since, doing at time 3-4 nights a week. It's ok... I've got some of HIS gear! hahaha That red stompers been going strong since it arrived... one of these days I need to get it back!

More & more I'm hearing about Dunlop boxes showing up DOA... or more like DOD. Over a decade ago I worked for a company that rep'd that stuff... Dead On Delivery. That would suck if Dunlop was having those kinds of problems with QC, I always thought of them as being pretty solid FX boxes. Maybe not the best going, but you know, solid & dependable.

 

[thespricket]

Re: Why dont I learn ? Darn MXR/Dunlop crap!

I've never likeed dunlop wahs. I never thought anything was wrong with their stompboxes, but i've never owned one. Those wahs just seem so poorly built, i've heard a lot of horror stories of them breaking within months or days of owning them. And i never like playing them. The sweep is so shallow, at least on all the ones i've played.

 

[ErikH]

Re: Why dont I learn ? Darn MXR/Dunlop crap!

Interesting. Sounds to me like their switch supplier is the culrpit. I do know that they had issues with the ZW-44 switches and the EVH Phase 90 switches a few years back. Apparently that was all ironed out though. I had both of those pedals and never had a problem with either one of them. I still have a Crybaby from 1991 that works great. Granted, I've done some mods to it but there was nothing wrong with it before. The Phase 90 RI my wife bought me almost 10 years ago works great still.

Whoever is making the purchases needs to talk to the supplier and see where those switches are coming from. I do know that there's been some issue with some switches, DPDT and 3PDT, from China where they just stop working. They're made to look just like other brand switches (go figure).

 

[lex666]

Re: Why dont I learn ? Darn MXR/Dunlop crap!

That sux dude. I was very interested in getting the new fuzz and maybe even a Carbon Copy. Maybe I'll just look elsewhere.

Luckily, I've had no problems with my Dunlop Mr. Crybaby wah, EVH phase, 10 band eq and super comp pedals.

 

[millsart]

Re: Why dont I learn ? Darn MXR/Dunlop crap!

Interesting. Sounds to me like their switch supplier is the culrpit. I do know that they had issues with the ZW-44 switches and the EVH Phase 90 switches a few years back. Apparently that was all ironed out though. I had both of those pedals and never had a problem with either one of them. I still have a Crybaby from 1991 that works great. Granted, I've done some mods to it but there was nothing wrong with it before. The Phase 90 RI my wife bought me almost 10 years ago works great still.

Whoever is making the purchases needs to talk to the supplier and see where those switches are coming from. I do know that there's been some issue with some switches, DPDT and 3PDT, from China where they just stop working. They're made to look just like other brand switches (go figure).

Its definatly the 3rd mxr/dunlop product I've had thats had a bad switch. Whatever they are using certainly doesn't seem to have been changed as the m173 is one of the newest pedals they've come out with


I'm not switch expert but its definatly an odd switch they use as the diameter of the shaft is smaller then the typical switch you find on most pedals. Probably is some sort of cheaper quality part over the typical 3pdt switch you find on most pedals.


Whats more frustrating is that since its all PCB, even the switch, I cant just install a new one myself (or at least not easily and I'm not skilled enough to desolder a very cramped PCB)


Such a shame to see companies cut corners like that though, as a consumer I'd happily pay the additional cost for quality switches and jacks.

 

[ErikH]

Re: Why dont I learn ? Darn MXR/Dunlop crap!

It actually isn't very hard to desolder and change out the switch if you know how to use a desoldering pump and a soldering iron. There are better switches out there than what come in them. Digikey, Mouser, Allied (I think) and Small Bear Electronics all carry PCB mount switches. The fun part is getting the whole thing out because it's held in the enclosure by the jacks, pots and switch. Saves on manufacturing at least making everything PCB mount. And there are plenty of good quality PCB mount parts out there.

Is it a DPDT or 3PDT?

I agree that better parts need to be used in some cases, especially switches, but when trying to meet a bottom line, sometimes the bean counters frown at the higher priced per unit switches and that forces them to use something cheaper.

 

[J Moose]

Re: Why dont I learn ? Darn MXR/Dunlop crap!

I agree that better parts need to be used in some cases, especially switches, but when trying to meet a bottom line, sometimes the bean counters frown at the higher priced per unit switches and that forces them to use something cheaper.

Right...

So then they can spend more on marketing to get around the bad press that threads like this one create...

So much for the real bottom line!!!

 

[d1dsj]

Re: Why dont I learn ? Darn MXR/Dunlop crap!

Well, knowing some of the pedals you've got and the ones you've sold, and also the indepth knowledge you have regarding pedals.... yes sir, you should have known better!

 

[Rich_S]

Re: Why dont I learn ? Darn MXR/Dunlop crap!

Dayum. I've been wanting to grab a Carbon Copy, but all these "MXR crapped out" threads lately are giving me second thoughts. I guess I'll just keep my Short Timer, and if I really need to add my DD-3 to the board, something's gotta go.

 

[supazar]

Re: Why dont I learn ? Darn MXR/Dunlop crap!

My MXR M-80 has never let me down and doesn't kill batteries. But I recently had to replace the pot in my 15 year old Cry baby Wah.