Pathfinder 15R Repair
- secondhand
- PAT. # 2.972.923
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- Location: Des Moines, Iowa
Pathfinder 15R Repair
Very low signal. Can barely hear my tonez with vol and gain maxed. Internet always points to replacing the octocoupler with pics from a Cambridge. My board and components look different.
You can see it here until I figure out how to add an image.
Vox Pathfinder 15R made in Korea https://imgur.com/gallery/BiUbnr8
Any ideas how to fix it or links to better instructions?
You can see it here until I figure out how to add an image.
Vox Pathfinder 15R made in Korea https://imgur.com/gallery/BiUbnr8
Any ideas how to fix it or links to better instructions?
Good as the best. Bad as the worst!
- andy_tchp
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 8061
- Joined: Fri Apr 02, 2010 1:36 am
- Location: Brisbane
Re: Pathfinder 15R Repair
Hmm, I'd be doing the 'basics' like applying contact cleaner and lubricant (ie DeOxit/Faderlube) to pots, jacks and switches where appropriate first. Does 'working' the pots back and forth improve matters any?secondhand wrote: ↑Thu Aug 05, 2021 7:57 pmVery low signal. Can barely hear my tonez with vol and gain maxed. Internet always points to replacing the octocoupler with pics from a Cambridge. My board and components look different.
You can see it here until I figure out how to add an image.
Vox Pathfinder 15R made in Korea https://imgur.com/gallery/BiUbnr8
Any ideas how to fix it or links to better instructions?
Optocoupler would only be relevant to the tremolo as far as I can tell(?)
"I don't know why we asked him to join the band 'cause the rest of us don't like country music all that much; we just like Graham Lee."
David McComb, 1987.
David McComb, 1987.
- mackerelmint
- PAT. # 2.972.923
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- Joined: Sun May 05, 2013 9:51 pm
- Location: トイレ国、ウンチ市
Re: Pathfinder 15R Repair
Well, they use amplifying ICs, and it wouldn't be terribly surprising if one or more had shit the bed. I mean, obviously try contact cleaner first, but replacing the amp chips would be an easy thing to try and wouldn't cost much. If you've got a multimeter, you could get data sheets online and use those to test the voltages coming off the pins and see if they're in spec without having to buy anything first.
This is an excellent rectangle
- secondhand
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 114
- Joined: Mon Jun 30, 2014 7:31 am
- Location: Des Moines, Iowa
Re: Pathfinder 15R Repair
I gave the pots some cleaner and reflowed a solder joint that looked suspect on the trem depth pot but still no improvement.
I have a multimeter but don't really know how to use it. I think I have exhausted my skills and abilities with electronics trouble shooting.
Thanks for the suggestions though!
I have a multimeter but don't really know how to use it. I think I have exhausted my skills and abilities with electronics trouble shooting.
Thanks for the suggestions though!
Good as the best. Bad as the worst!
- mackerelmint
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 13674
- Joined: Sun May 05, 2013 9:51 pm
- Location: トイレ国、ウンチ市
Re: Pathfinder 15R Repair
Well, in that case, try replacing the amp ICs. Socketing them while you're at it wouldn't be a bad idea. That's just simple soldering.
This is an excellent rectangle
- MattK
- PAT. # 2.972.923
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- Location: Hobart, Australia
Re: Pathfinder 15R Repair
You might want to look at the sockets on the back too. Something shorting the speaker out or headphone jack?
- secondhand
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 114
- Joined: Mon Jun 30, 2014 7:31 am
- Location: Des Moines, Iowa
Re: Pathfinder 15R Repair
I gave the pots another shot of cleaner and while turning the treble pot the amp came back to life. Then died again.
I reflowed the solder joints but it stayed dead. I ordered a new pot. I hope the replacement pot will be the cure.
I reflowed the solder joints but it stayed dead. I ordered a new pot. I hope the replacement pot will be the cure.
Good as the best. Bad as the worst!
- MattK
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 3625
- Joined: Sun Aug 10, 2008 9:51 pm
- Location: Hobart, Australia