• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Eden WT-550, maintenance advice?

I'm thinking about opening up my EDEN WT800 and trying to find what's causing the constant background noise. I am partially blind. How can I spot a cold solder joint?
Don’t hurt yourself, can you follow proper safety procedures? Do you have electronics servicing experience?

Often you can’t see a cold solder joint even with perfect visual acuity.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DavidEdenAria
Yeah….I had a WT550 a while back that had some transformer hum when I bought it and later developed some other issues. As much as I would have loved to poke around in it, I took it to a great tech here in Austin who scoped the amp, found the issues and made the repairs. He also isolated the transformer to significantly reduce the hum. I had to take it back about 6 months later for another issue but when it was all finished it was rock solid. That said, I would just play the thing and enjoy. If it does develop issues they are probably repairable. As much as I have a soft spot for Eden gear my Genzler amp is way more reliable, a lot lighter and sounds better, so after using the 550 at home for another several months I ended up selling it. If you want a check up done….take it to someone qualified.
 
Still waiting for this one to malfunction but to be honest I don't have that many years left. Waiting, waiting, waiting. Lol.

Eden and Garfield.JPG


M. M.
 
In most cases, 30 year old electrolytics still have 20 years of life left.

I see more otherwise functioning amps that would have been better off just left alone than had repair attempts made in them, especially by non-professional techs. “Cap jobs” and “pot cleanings” are high on the list of good intentions honestly wrong, sometimes making the amp economically unrepairable.

Also, there is absolutely no “angle” here, just sharing 45+ years of real world industry knowledge and experience.
I agree modern electrolytic don't need replacing UNLESS they are visibly leaking like on my MIM Fender Blues Deluxe and my tech has found some leaking modern caps but its not typical...I DO randomly perform visual inspection looking for burnt resistors or leaking caps or any burned spots but never stick my hands or a chopstick in there and never randomly 'shotgun replace parts' and keep the deoxit away too!! Dont be douching down the circuit board lol....I rapidly rotate pots back and forth many times if noisy and that usually solves the noise....I found a beat looking 1958 Danelectro guitar in a pawn I did clean the output jack but pots were fine after I rotated back and forth a lot.