Akai Headrush E2 switch replacement

Insouciance · #1 07-01-2010, 02:55 PM

Talkbass!

I have an Akai Headrush E2 looper, and it is amazing. It makes all my other delays obsolete, and the looper is pristine, words cannot justify how cool it is. My only problem, however, is sometimes the switches don't turn on the first time I engage them. This obviously screws with my setting of the tap tempo, turning the delay on/off and the loops, and thus will enrage my already impatient drummer. I bought it off ebay, and I have no idea how old it is. When I spoke with Akai, they said it probably was the switches, and I was wondering if there were any places I might be able to find replacement switches to get it repaired so I can put it on my board. I certainly don't want to spend more than it's worth and I want to avoid having to buy a new one.

I appreciate your help!
Insouciance.

Taylor Livingston · #2 07-01-2010, 03:08 PM

I don't know offhand what kind of switches are in there. If there's no hard click when you press them, they're either these:

Http://www.smallbearelec.com/Detail.bok?no=672

or more likely something close to this:

Http://www.smallbearelec.com/Detail.bok?no=32 (this is just a spring-loaded plunger with no electronic contacts)

pressing against one of these:

Http://www.smallbearelec.com/Detail.bok?no=34

If it's the latter, then replacing it can be tricky. That plunger is probably not exactly the same one, so rather than replace the plunger you'd need to replace either the spring or the tactile switch.

bovine mind · #3 07-01-2010, 05:36 PM

I have the EXACT same problem and it is supremely annoying to say the least. What is the warranty like on these?

There is no click when you engage the switch.

Insouciance · #4 07-01-2010, 10:54 PM

I called the company that works on the Headrushes, and they have an initial 35 dollar charge just to look at it, this is after you ship to California, and then it is 65 dollars an hour to have them look at it. The guy said it shouldn't be more than an hour to look at it and replace parts. I am going to take it to the dreaded GC and ask them where they would send it if I had a warranty on it. I got it second hand..sometimes Ebay fails me. Thanks for your help though. I will post my progress.

Taylor.

Insouciance · #5 07-03-2010, 08:03 PM

Spoke with he GC guy, he said to send it to VST Technologies, they are the company that Akai sends all their in need or repair products go.

I think that is what I am going to do.

Insouciance · #6 07-12-2010, 07:15 PM

UPDATE!

I put the pedal on Ebay, including the problem in my description of course, and a guy who had the same problem emailed me this...

http://www.neufeld.newton.ks.us/electronics/?p=314

It works. Plain and simple. Buy some tuner cleaner from Radio Shack, and follow the instructions.

bovine mind · #7 07-13-2010, 12:44 AM

Wow, thank you! Going to try this asap.

T. Alan Smith · #8 07-13-2010, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Insouciance

UPDATE!

I put the pedal on Ebay, including the problem in my description of course, and a guy who had the same problem emailed me this...

http://www.neufeld.newton.ks.us/electronics/?p=314

It works. Plain and simple. Buy some tuner cleaner from Radio Shack, and follow the instructions.

Whoah...bookmarking this for the future, thanks.