Off Topic So much for Digitech

[jamminjim]

Just switched on my amp and grabbed my Sub1 SSS for a little afternoon noodling and stepped on my Digitech RP250 and all I got was a pop! That was it! Pop! Gone! No reset, no update mode, nothing. Called them and it's $45 to get it fixed.

So much for Digitech.... It's only 2 years old, not abused in any way.

Sorry... hope you'all will pardon my rant..

Have a nice weekend everyone. Don't eat too much candy.

 

[the24thfret]

I've used a bunch of Digitech stuff and it has taken a decent amount of abuse. Sorry to hear about the loss! What do you think you'll switch to now?

 

[jamminjim]

Well I've taken into account that I use a little distortion and some chorus and delay sometimes, and clean most of the rest of the time. I'm going to try to hot rod a tube amp I've got to get some distortion out of it in the meantime. I've always been interested in a Fulltone Fulldrive. Anyone have any experience with them? That and I guess I'd consider Boss chorus and delay pedals. I really liked some of the settings in the RP250, but if it isn't reliable then it has to go. It pretty much bites to start a weekend off this way. Know what I mean?

Guys, what do you recommend? Any all in one pedals out there that last?

 

[Sweat]

WOW that sucks, never had any problems with my Digitech stuff when I was using Digitech, just test out some stuff and find what you like, I went fron Digitech to the Boss GT series, started with the 8 and bought the GT-10 when they first came out last spring, very happy with it, though like all modeling processors some of the presets are worthless.

Did you take the cover off the Digitech to see if it was just a fuse? Food fo thought.

 

[Ahess86]

What amp are you using? I have a Fulldrive that sounds fantastic in front of my AC30, but I don't particularly care for it in front of my Mesa/Boogie F-50. Find some place with a return policy so you can try it out for a few days and take it back if you don't like it.

I REALLY like my TC Electronic Stereo Chorus + Flanger pedal (think Eric Johnson cleans) but its not for everyone.

There are loads of good options out there for digital delays. I have a Boss DD-5 (love it, check ebay for them), Boss DD-20's are nice (but more expensive), Line 6 DL4 Delay Modeler (loads of options, good sounds), TC Electronic Nova Delay is nice as well. Check these out on youtube, and go plug in and try some! A lot of boutique pedal makers have some really cool delays as well but they're harder to find in a store (to try out) and are usually more expensive.

As for all-in-ones (I've heard MANY mixed reviews on this, but here's my experience) I've been using a Vox Tonelab for about 5 years now and have nothing but good things to say about it. My only problem with it is a switch went out... they sent me the new one in a week, I popped it in and was back up and running. I traveled throughout south america for 7 months with this thing thrown in my suitcase and still no problems. Its built heavy-duty and can take a few gigs a week for years.

 

[jamminjim]

Did you take the cover off the Digitech to see if it was just a fuse? Food fo thought.

Ya know - I was so disenchanted with the whole thing that I hadn't thought of doing anything to it yet. Darn good suggestion though and appreciated. It's not under warranty so I'll pop the cover this weekend. Cross my fingers it would be something so elemental.

 

[dannymusic]

hmmm... I've been using a GNX4 for about 3 years now and it's great. Had to use their CS dept once and found them helpful and cheerful.

$45 certainly is cheap to repair anything. and ANYTHING can break.

and if you don't like parting with your money, dont buy a tube amp. Valves, tune-ups (and repairs) are not free.

 

[jamminjim]

Ahess86 - I'm using vintage $ender tube type amps that I build myself. Currenty have been playing a DR but changed yesterday to a Champ.
And mthanks for the suggestions, I'll check em out if possible here in podunk W CO.

danny - It's not that I don't have cash to throw at it. It's that $45 is 30% or more of the cost of the unit, and there's shipping on top of that. So it could be $55 or more. Luckily DT is nearby in SLC. It could be something simple inside too, we'll see. Also, I am an amp tech. and build tube amps. I'll be building a Hoffman boarded Princeton Reverb combo amp pretty soon.

 

[Jack FFR1846]

danny - It's not that I don't have cash to throw at it. It's that $45 is 30% or more of the cost of the unit, and there's shipping on top of that. So it could be $55 or more. .

Still a lot cheaper than buying a new one.

I just bought an RP250 a week ago and really, really like it. If it were to pop after the warantee is gone, I'd definately open it up first to see if I can find the problem. If you're comfortable with electronics, go for it. If not, $55 is still cheaper......I got mine during a GC sale and had a 10% off coupon (and a free set of EB Strings ) and still paid $132.

Oh....the first thing I'd check is the power supply output. It's quite possible that the supply boinked and put out too much voltage, frying the RP. (I design power supplies for a living.....plenty of things can go wrong, frying the system)

Or put it on craigslist, as a broken unit if you want to get out of it.

jack

 

[jamminjim]

opened it up, closed it back up

Thanks Jack for the reply. Its not the PS as I have several and they're all good. It does the same thing with several different PSs. I opened it up and what do ya think is inside? Sure, a PCB (printed circuit board). There's the main board and a little board that goes under the footswitch. Not a darn user serviceable part in the thing. The main board has a chip that has 40 or so legs on it. Maybe more. I put the back back on it and will contemplate sending it in. Probably needs a new chip. Wonder if they just swap out PCB assemblies, test it and ship it back. That would be the quickest and cheapest method. I'll send the whole box back, PS and all if I do. I don't have a micro-miniature soldering station here at the house. Who does?
Also, I have no idea about the chip architecture, and no schematic or troubleshooting guide. Basically I'm at the manufacturers mercy with this one. Which sucks.

Maybe it's time to search for some good old analog stuff.

Actually I'm thinking of doing it the old fashioned way with no effects, or minimal effects, and getting my sound mostly from pickups, preamps and amps and my fingers.