Need some referrals for an electronics repair guru ...

[blownirocz]

After 34 long years (not all with me), my beloved Roland/Boss CE-1 Chorus Ensemble, and (not so) secret weapon, has finally given up the ghost. Just doesn't power up anymore.

Would any of you folks be kind enough to recommend an electronics guru that you would trust to repair one of your prized possessions? I would prefer someone local to the San Francisco Bay Area, but I'll ship it if necessary.

Thanks in advance TGP'ers!

[teleman1]

Try Robert Keeley.

[CheeseBlocks]

might be a stupid question... but did you check the internal fuses?

[blownirocz]

Not a stupid question at all Cheese. But yes I did check both 0.5A fuses, and of course my luck dictates that it could not possibly be that simple. :puh

[CheeseBlocks]

If you can't find anyone local, I'd be glad to take a look at it... I do all of the builds/mods for cheeseblocks, and do plenty of repairs for customers as well, including plenty of vintage pedals. Hopefully you can find someone local to avoid having to ship it (I'm in NC) but if it comes to that, give me a shout!

[BlkJk_pix]

Power supply is 'developed' within the unit to generate a +/- 13 vdc for
rest of circuitry. Schematic shows 4 rectifier diodes & 3 transistors
that could easily be troubleshot with a diode checker (as found on
many multimeters).

Want me to look at it? I'm in Bay Area
blkjk_pix at hotmail dot com

[blownirocz]

Thanks a lot Cheese. I will likely take you up on the offer.

Actually, I experienced something strange that maybe you can provide some input on first. When I got home tonight, I decided to double and triple check the fuses, this time actually pulling each of them out. As expected, they were fine.

But when I put it all back together, the unit miraculously started working again. So I stuck it back on my pedal board, turned it back on and played through it for a while. When I was done, I thought I would test it a few more times. When I tried to turn it off and on the second time, it wouldn't turn on again.

Any ideas?

[michael.e]

I really think your box is just sick of you stomping all over it..

Mebbe a massage while you are in your socks? A candlelit dinner and a bottle of Thunderbird Light??


Here to help brother..


Otherwise, I don't know anybody in the Bay Area that is great with effects.

Might ask "Fatback". He may know sombody around here..

[BlkJk_pix]

I do audio repairs/mods and live in Redwood City.

[Jade]

a bottle of Thunderbird Light??



:roll:roll:roll

[CheeseBlocks]

It may be something as simple as a bad footswitch? It could also be possible that the contacts for the fuses have some corrosion on them. That seems pretty unlikely, but it's an easy thing to rule out. Just take some rubbing alcohol or contact cleaner if you have it, and a cotton swap, and make sure the contacts are nice and clean. Again, it's unlikely that that's the source, but since you moved the fuses while checking on it, and it worked after that, it's worth checking.

When it started working again, was it working as it should? No excess noise, ground hum, etc?

[CheeseBlocks]

Also... again probably a stupid question... but did you recheck the fuses after it stopped working again? Might be worth it to replace them even if they are testing out fine.

[blownirocz]

Hey Cheese - In this case the footswitches either turn on or off the effect, or choose between which effect (chorus or vibrato). The power switch is a separate rocker switch (pictured below). But that switch could certainly be going bad.

BlkJk_pix - I think I will have to take your advice and break out the multimeter and check the rocker switch.

I didn't check the fuses again after, but you're right, I should. And I will also just replace them both, and clean the contacts (though they show no visible corrosion).

When it was working again, it functioned completely normally. No 60Hz hum or any other strange noises.

If all else fails, I might have to take brother Michael's advice and take her out for a nice dinner, though I think Cristal will be the ticket, instead of Thunderbird Light. ;)

http://www.vintage-guitars.se/1970s_Boss_CE-1_Chorus_Ensamble_161460.jpg

[CheeseBlocks]

Maybe it's like an old nintendo cartridge..... you just need to blow into it. :)

Keep me posted! We'll get 'er up and running one way or another

[acpkenny]

I bought one of those new when I found out Mark Knopfler used one. I still use mine too.

Check the wiring to the power switch, mine had the same problem and it was just a bad connection on the terminal. As long as you're in there, you might want all the electrolytic caps changed too.

acpkenny

[blownirocz]

Thanks a lot for your help guys! My baby is back in excellent working condition and back on the pedalboard again.

Took your advice, broke out the multimeter, and did some troubleshooting of my own. Turns out I had the same problem that acpkenny describes above. While there were no visual signs of wear, one of the leads soldered to the power switch had lost its connection. I removed, re-stripped, and soldered all four back onto the switch, and now she's running like a champ.

And THEN we celebrated with the Thunderbird Light... :)

Thanks again guys!

[CheeseBlocks]

SUH-WEEEEET :) glad to hear the good news.