Hi Folks! I am having a bit of trouble with Flamma FS06: the level knob does nothing, and the saved presets kinda "unset" themselves. Let me elaborate.
This pedal has five standard knobs: three-way equalizer, level and gain. And it can "remember" the specific setting, for each of the 14 emulated modes, when one presses and holds the "select" button.
I recently noticed that my level knob does nothing: I turn it all the way back and forth, and there is no change in the output whatsoever, in any mode.
Gain and frequency knobs work fine.
I also noticed that the saved presets sort of unset themselves in a couple of seconds now: when I save the preset, the light indicator for the selected amp model blinks a few times and then it is supposed to stay on unless I touch the controls and change the settings. If I do change the settings, the light starts blinking indicating that the setting is now different from the saved preset.
Well, now the indicator starts blinking again in a couple of seconds after I save a preset even if I touch nothing and change nothing.
I kinda think that these two mulfunctions are related: the level knob reports something to the device which makes it think that I am changing the preset.
I tried to find some kind of customer support on the Flamma web site but found only chat, which noone responded to so far. I tried Amazon, where I bought it, but it's been over 120 days, and they won't do anything.
Any suggestions? Anyone thinks it's reparable?
Here it is:
This pedal has five standard knobs: three-way equalizer, level and gain. And it can "remember" the specific setting, for each of the 14 emulated modes, when one presses and holds the "select" button.
I recently noticed that my level knob does nothing: I turn it all the way back and forth, and there is no change in the output whatsoever, in any mode.
Gain and frequency knobs work fine.
I also noticed that the saved presets sort of unset themselves in a couple of seconds now: when I save the preset, the light indicator for the selected amp model blinks a few times and then it is supposed to stay on unless I touch the controls and change the settings. If I do change the settings, the light starts blinking indicating that the setting is now different from the saved preset.
Well, now the indicator starts blinking again in a couple of seconds after I save a preset even if I touch nothing and change nothing.
I kinda think that these two mulfunctions are related: the level knob reports something to the device which makes it think that I am changing the preset.
I tried to find some kind of customer support on the Flamma web site but found only chat, which noone responded to so far. I tried Amazon, where I bought it, but it's been over 120 days, and they won't do anything.
Any suggestions? Anyone thinks it's reparable?
Here it is:
It can be that the unit sees that you are changing a setting, in this case the level setting.
This can be the case with a damaged potentiometer (the level pot).
Its very unlickely but never say never.
Take a look at the smooth and correct working of the level pot.
To be sure, short the pins on the pot that carry the signal. So, if it's the case of a bad pot, the changes in level can no longer occur.
I assume the third pin is ground.
Good luck
This can be the case with a damaged potentiometer (the level pot).
Its very unlickely but never say never.
Take a look at the smooth and correct working of the level pot.
To be sure, short the pins on the pot that carry the signal. So, if it's the case of a bad pot, the changes in level can no longer occur.
I assume the third pin is ground.
Good luck
Not sure yet - I have not opened it up while I was investigating the warranty options but it does not look like they offer any, and Amazon's return window has closed, so I guess I will open it up and see.
This was a really good thought - I did not even think that there must be a factory reset. Just tried it - no luck.
I guess the next step will be opening it up, resoldering and otherwise messing with the pot. Will try to do it this evening.
Flamma responded: they claim they offer warranty, asked for the order specifics, and a short video illustrating the problem. I am going to try that official route first...
So, Flamma never responded again, so I got fed up with waiting and took it apart. I think it's a bad potentiometer but I'd appreciate somebody checking me. Please see the pictures. I think it's a simple 50k pot, and when I measure resistance between the middle contact and either one on the sides, I get like 5 megaohm measurement, which does not change when I twist the pot. I compared to the other ones, which are the same: they all vary from zero to about 10K.
So, I'm thinking I should just replace it. I cannot find the exact mount type on Amazon but the same one with three pins is there, and it'll probably hold by the nut, so I don't have to firmly mount it on the board I think.
What do people think?
So, I'm thinking I should just replace it. I cannot find the exact mount type on Amazon but the same one with three pins is there, and it'll probably hold by the nut, so I don't have to firmly mount it on the board I think.
What do people think?
Attachments
Place a piece of rubber under the pot body to give it some height. That's one.
second; avoid whatever the brand is selling.
That's true for every one.
If that's the way we act upon the greedy pollicies of these companies, they eventually have to comply or get of the market.
As a technician for many years, they think that their products are as complicated as a space shuttle or contains so secretive components and a design ahead of it's time.
Good; they have a point. But only as long as the warranty period plus a few years. But after that components and service manuals should become available.
Of course they tend to ask to much money for it. If only they could realize that at the end, the customer, the musician, is the reason for their existance.
I keep repeating too musicians that come to visit my repairshop: Stop all that fancy digital hocus pocus stuff. At the end, the audiance in front of you, they do not care neither hear the technology when you place a big muff in front of the expensive "modern" things. And do not forget: If it's broken, there is my dustbin. Even if it's 2 years old and shiny with twinkeling leds like a Chrismas three.
Why? they ask.
No schematics, no parts and sometimes impossible to access the components due to silicone blobs.
Oh, these wonderfull analog days when music was made we all love.
second; avoid whatever the brand is selling.
That's true for every one.
If that's the way we act upon the greedy pollicies of these companies, they eventually have to comply or get of the market.
As a technician for many years, they think that their products are as complicated as a space shuttle or contains so secretive components and a design ahead of it's time.
Good; they have a point. But only as long as the warranty period plus a few years. But after that components and service manuals should become available.
Of course they tend to ask to much money for it. If only they could realize that at the end, the customer, the musician, is the reason for their existance.
I keep repeating too musicians that come to visit my repairshop: Stop all that fancy digital hocus pocus stuff. At the end, the audiance in front of you, they do not care neither hear the technology when you place a big muff in front of the expensive "modern" things. And do not forget: If it's broken, there is my dustbin. Even if it's 2 years old and shiny with twinkeling leds like a Chrismas three.
Why? they ask.
No schematics, no parts and sometimes impossible to access the components due to silicone blobs.
Oh, these wonderfull analog days when music was made we all love.
Did you not know that nowadays companies consider your repair attempts of their products as housebreaking their property?
That's great you were able to repair it. Not so great about Flamma's complete lack of responding though. I noticed the power socket is not direct soldered to the board..which is a good thing. That's a part that could get broken or damaged (I have repaired quite a few pedals with direct mounted power sockets). Cheers!
Hoi Bucks, Tell that to the owner of whatever they have that needs repair. And tell them to that if you go through the "normal" channel, music shop - dealer - factory maybe - dealer - music shop and several weeks later the equipment is either repaired or considered total loss. Man, get back in the real world where the musician is squeezed like a lemon by people that are not comtetent on repair level.
Apart from a few good service centers most are only after your money.
I have seen hundreds of cases where the musician is "robbed" and given ill advice.
I'm not god and never intend to be but if I can do a repair at a modest cost with the best materials available then that's the way I go. If it's not possible; then I tell so.
And what these companies have to complain: How many of them "borrow" a schematic here and there, modify it a little bit and call it their intelectual property as you say so nice?
And do not forget: who will do the repairs if a unit is 10 or more years old. The dealer?
What dealer? Probably it is no longer in business or they changed and refuse to service products of that age. They may even have no service info and/or spares for it.
What will you do then. Yes, tell me, what will you do?
Here the independent repair men will fill the gap.
I hope I made it clear.
Apart from a few good service centers most are only after your money.
I have seen hundreds of cases where the musician is "robbed" and given ill advice.
I'm not god and never intend to be but if I can do a repair at a modest cost with the best materials available then that's the way I go. If it's not possible; then I tell so.
And what these companies have to complain: How many of them "borrow" a schematic here and there, modify it a little bit and call it their intelectual property as you say so nice?
And do not forget: who will do the repairs if a unit is 10 or more years old. The dealer?
What dealer? Probably it is no longer in business or they changed and refuse to service products of that age. They may even have no service info and/or spares for it.
What will you do then. Yes, tell me, what will you do?
Here the independent repair men will fill the gap.
I hope I made it clear.