New modder

FruitarGeek

As of recently Ive embraced the other side of guitaring namely, the technical side, and Ive embarked on several journeys to mod my pedals and make my own cables etc.
I know this stuff is all relatively easily, but you must know I dont even own a soldering iron at the moment, but its getting there. Im excited about this. Im actually ordering a kit soon from Monte Allums and I have no doubt that I will do the job well. Anyway my question for you all is...

How do I find specific components I'm looking for. Im still very lost to the whole schematics and science of the stuff, but as some of you may remember I posted something about my DD3 dying a few months back. I have done research and I think I know what the problem is, it requires me replacing the IC1 chip also known as the LF353. I dont know what IC and all this means, nor what an opamp is, I just know what it looks like, how to get it on and off. How can I become more knowledgeable about this type of stuff, and also how can I find that specific chip I need cause I have a feeling me putting any chip labeled IC1 wont work.

guidothepimmp

awesome dude, I love modding. I think I have modded just about every guitar Ive had...

now I want to start modding amps... thus my latest acquisition.. just a little aprehensive because im out of my depth a bit and im actually nervous as hell about stuffing it (or myself) up quite badly..

Let us know how your mods go, as for parts/ components, id like to know the same thing... only place i can think of is communica or RSE, those are up here in JHB though...

ezietsman

FruitarGeek wrote As of recently Ive embraced the other side of guitaring namely, the technical side, and Ive embarked on several journeys to mod my pedals and make my own cables etc.
I know this stuff is all relatively easily, but you must know I dont even own a soldering iron at the moment, but its getting there. Im excited about this. Im actually ordering a kit soon from Monte Allums and I have no doubt that I will do the job well. Anyway my question for you all is...

How do I find specific components I'm looking for. Im still very lost to the whole schematics and science of the stuff, but as some of you may remember I posted something about my DD3 dying a few months back. I have done research and I think I know what the problem is, it requires me replacing the IC1 chip also known as the LF353. I dont know what IC and all this means, nor what an opamp is, I just know what it looks like, how to get it on and off. How can I become more knowledgeable about this type of stuff, and also how can I find that specific chip I need cause I have a feeling me putting any chip labeled IC1 wont work.

I have also started on this journey. Got a multimeter, soldering iron etc. There's a communica in Albert Road in Woodstock, they are the electronics guys to go to first (apparently). They have a website so check there.

makepeace

The best place to check for things that you can't find in SA, for pedal parts at least, is www.smallbearelec.com. Good luck!

FruitarGeek

Thanks guys. Im considering doing a video for youtube to demonstrate both the before and after of the Monte Allums Modded GE-7

FruitarGeek

Quick question.

How does one determine if an IC chip is faulty?

FenderBender

Integrated Circuits (ICs) contain a miniature circuit, designed for a specific purpose and there are thousands of different types of IC.

There are two ways to test a suspect IC:

1. Test the IC for correct operation while it is powered and being supplied with the correct input signals, either in its original circuit or using a test circuit that you would need to build from info in that may be in the datasheet for that particular IC. You'd need to use an oscilloscope or multimeter and know what to look for ie correct signals entering and leaving the IC. Opamps are easy enough to faultfind, but some pedals contain digital audio processing ICs that use high frequency clock pulses to drive them, so you'd need a high speed scope to be able to see them.

If you are unable to do this, then you could:

2. Change the suspect IC and see if the device works. This can be expensive though, as other components on the PCB may have been damaged and may be causing damage to the IC.

Fautfinding is quite a process. I always visually inspect and test other solid state components (diodes, transistors, voltage regulators) and passive components (capacitors, resistors) and sometimes remove sensitive components like ICs before switching on something that has stopped working.
I use a variac to bring the power up slowly in the case of mains powered devices. Then I check for correct supply voltages throughout the circuit, before switching off, popping everything back in and proceeding with testing.

With pedals, I apply a 1kHz audio test signal to the input and start tracing the signal through the circuit using my scope. If the signal dies, I would have to investigate why. One or several components could be shot (signal coupling capacitors are often faulty on older audio equipment and blown transistors are often the cause of solid state equipment packing up), but if I suspect an IC, then the fun begins!

FruitarGeek

Cool. Thanks Graeme.

Guess I have my work set out for me ???