18-04-2019 Hickling Open Mic

I like it here!

Played

The Garden – Rush
Baby I love your way – Peter Frampton.
Doctor Doctor – UFO (for Paul Raymond [RIP])

Variax Acoustic Repairs

I love my Variax Acoustic, brought it years ago second hand from a guy in a top cover band here in the UK. He regretted the sale, so he brought another. It is a shame these are no longer available.

Anyhow, over the years it has suffered from several breakdowns, non of which were manufacturing issues. A couple of design faults, but no issues.

Failure 1.

The internal battery failed to work. VDI and external power pack were ok.

Solution 1:

Built 2 external battery packs one large floor mounted and one belt pack. These had pass through to enable it to work just like the mains system.

Solution 2:

The permanent solution was a bodge. There is a small component L? which was blown on the circuit board, this is in-line with the battery terminal. All I did was put a small jumper in place. Fixed!

Failure 2.

This is a design issue. The VDI port has no cover and is too close to the jack socket. This means that it is too easy to ram the jack into the VDI port, this eventually caused the VDI port to be damaged preventing it from working as either a VDI or to the workbench.

Solution1:

I contacted Line6 and their sales agents and the daughter board is no longer available. Thankfully the connector  Neutrik NE8FAV Vertical PCB Mount RJ45 Receptacle is available. It is a relatively simple job to desolder and replace it.
Solution 2:
Insert an old RJ45 connector into it the VDI port to prevent future damage.

Failure 3.

Piezo failure.

Solution1:

A long time ago, 2007 I had an issue with one string not coming through. Line 6 kindly sent me a replacement for free back then. I never used it.
Last night I was planning on using the Variax but the B string continually failed so it was time to effect the repair. After searching for the part I did eventually find it. One small part!

It is/was a simple fix

1. Remove back panel
2. Carefully remove the ribbon cable, this just pulls out!
3. Remove two screws, one has an earth lead
4. remove strings
5. The bridge can now be removed
6. Unsolder the offending piezo and replace with new one
7. Replace bridge and reconnect ribbon cable, earth and screws.
8. Test by tapping piezo’s with Variax connected to an amplifier
9. If ok, restring test and enjoy

Final notes

I need to send it to a luthier and get the frets dressed and set-up so it can have many more useful years.

I am also thinking of making it a hybrid guitar by adding a magnetic pickup. Not sure how I will drive the output jack configuration but it is just a thought!

5-04-2019–Radcliffe Open Mic

Back again and a very full roster of people wanting to play.

Played

The Garden – Rush
Man of a thousand faces – Marillion
Show me the way – Peter Frampton (not played in a long time, such a shame I may never get to see him play live in the UK again)
I Can’t walk – Genesis (1st time)

Till next time