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Pork Loin Repair Question

Fiset

Fiset

I do a good impression of myself
Jan 13, 2007
1,125
1,382
New York
#1
So I picked up a cheap Pork Loin on CL for the express purpose of trying the JohnK mod. I got it cheap because there is a problem with the Overdrive knob - it just turns continuously so its impossible to gauge how much overdrive to dial in. I'm handy with a soldering iron so figured I could just replace the pot and it should be good to go. My question relates to the component itself. I don't know alot about the formal names of components so can anyone with knowledge of the Pork Loin share exactly what part I should be replacing? Once I have the part I should be able to replace it, I just don't know what part I should be looking for!

Alternatively, if the pot I have can be fixed, that would be cool too, I was just thinking replacing it would be easiest. Any guidance would be appreciated!
 
#4
It's a 500k Log pot (A500), like this one:
Invalid Link Removed

(at least I think it's the short pin version). I don't know if there's a 'D' shaft version around you could find that the existing knob would fit, but you could always get a knob to fit the replacement solid shaft pot. Total cost for pot and knob would be under $2 (not including shipping).
 
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#6
Fiset said:
Sorry, the pot turns continuously.
Click to expand...

Does the pedal still work and function properly? Does the pot still work but it's just hard to tell where the gains set?

I can't wait till you get this up and running with the mod! Let us know what you think man. It's cool to see guys who know and like this pedal yet feel it's a shade too dark. I always would like to know their opinions of the pedal post mod.
 
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#9
gregmon79 said:
Does the pedal still work and function properly? Does the pot still work but it's just hard to tell where the gains set?

I can't wait till you get this up and running with the mod! Let us know what you think man. It's cool to see guys who know and like this pedal yet feel it's a shade too dark. I always would like to know their opinions of the pedal post mod.
Click to expand...

Yeah, the pedal still works, but when I turn the Overdrive knob it doesn't change a whole lot - if I keep spinning it, it changes a little but not in a consistent way. But I've done the 470p mod anyway and can already tell that this is going to be exactly what I've been looking for in terms of OD. In fact, I could probably even use how it sounds right now, without changing the OD pot (but I still want to get it working properly). I'm also running it at 18v for the first time which added a ton more headroom than I remember the Pork Loin having the last time I had one (in fact, had I run it at 18v the last time I had one, I doubt I ever would have sold it). The pedal is a monster now...and picking one up for $20 bucks because of the bad pot makes me almost giddy that after a few easy repairs and the JohnK mod, I'll have myself an OD that competes with the best of em. I'm really stoked about this.

I appreciate your enthusiasm about the modded Pork Loin as it was your glowing posts about it in several threads that got me interested in the first place.
 
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#10
Fiset said:
Yeah, the pedal still works, but when I turn the Overdrive knob it doesn't change a whole lot - if I keep spinning it, it changes a little but not in a consistent way. But I've done the 470p mod anyway and can already tell that this is going to be exactly what I've been looking for in terms of OD. In fact, I could probably even use how it sounds right now, without changing the OD pot (but I still want to get it working properly). I'm also running it at 18v for the first time which added a ton more headroom than I remember the Pork Loin having the last time I had one (in fact, had I run it at 18v the last time I had one, I doubt I ever would have sold it). The pedal is a monster now...and picking one up for $20 bucks because of the bad pot makes me almost giddy that after a few easy repairs and the JohnK mod, I'll have myself an OD that competes with the best of em. I'm really stoked about this.

I appreciate your enthusiasm about the modded Pork Loin as it was your glowing posts about it in several threads that got me interested in the first place.
Click to expand...

Hell yea man! That's what's up. I got the ODB and it knocked the PL of my board a couple months ago. I really enjoy the ODB and what it brings. But then I started A/B'ing it against the PL the last few weeks at practice just for giggles and I have to admit it, I think/I'm pretty sure I like the PL better. It comes through more clear and precise, it cuts yet settles into the mix really well and it make my tone shine and just lovely. It has that really nice bloom and warmth while staying nice n bright. I can't say much of anything bad thing about it. And I too starting running mine at 18v when I found out here a handful of months ago and it just stomps in the mix.

I know I've been talking the MBD1 up lately and about how I'll be cutting back on stuff but I really think I'll end up with the PL into the MBD1. I was stacking them at my last practice and they were just HUGE together. And the PL added this big slicing cut to the MBD1 so you add those qualities together and you get a combo that can pretty cut through and kicked the crap out of any mix you can think of. OR, it will sit in and mellow out too. I will say the ODB is more diverse and has much more EQ on it, I can't seem to pull as many sounds out of the PL. But for what I use it for, I'll set it and forget it and not worry about making different sounds with it.

My eyes and sense of trends are telling "dude! What are you doing?! you're swapping out a Dunwich pedal for a Way Huge pedal??!?!!" haha but my ears are like, oooohhhh yeeeeaaaaa, you go Mr. Tripps!!
 
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#11
gregmon79 said:
Hell yea man! That's what's up. I got the ODB and it knocked the PL of my board a couple months ago. I really enjoy the ODB and what it brings. But then I started A/B'ing it against the PL the last few weeks at practice just for giggles and I have to admit it, I think/I'm pretty sure I like the PL better. It comes through more clear and precise, it cuts yet settles into the mix really well and it make my tone shine and just lovely. It has that really nice bloom and warmth while staying nice n bright. I can't say much of anything bad thing about it. And I too starting running mine at 18v when I found out here a handful of months ago and it just stomps in the mix.

I know I've been talking the MBD1 up lately and about how I'll be cutting back on stuff but I really think I'll end up with the PL into the MBD1. I was stacking them at my last practice and they were just HUGE together. And the PL added this big slicing cut to the MBD1 so you add those qualities together and you get a combo that can pretty cut through and kicked the crap out of any mix you can think of. OR, it will sit in and mellow out too. I will say the ODB is more diverse and has much more EQ on it, I can't seem to pull as many sounds out of the PL. But for what I use it for, I'll set it and forget it and not worry about making different sounds with it.

My eyes and sense of trends are telling "dude! What are you doing?! you're swapping out a Dunwich pedal for a Way Huge pedal??!?!!" haha but my ears are like, oooohhhh yeeeeaaaaa, you go Mr. Tripps!!
Click to expand...

Right? Way Huge did it right with the PL (well, almost, Way Huge + JohnK did it right!) But even before the mod, I used a PL for years as my go-to OD before finally relenting to the "blanket" issue. But hell, even with the blanket, the PL still had that goodness that I loved. But without the blanket, it cuts like a mofo but not in a clangy or unpleasant way. You said it right when describing it as warm yet bright. A very difficult combination to put into a single pedal. Usually when something is too warm, I need something else to brighten it up (and vice versa). I'm not nearly as good at verbalizing tone as you guys are but I am thrilled to have the PL back on my board. Even with the busted pot, I was rockin it last night along with a BeatBuddy Mini and just blasting tasty riffs off the cuff (people underestimate the inspiring nature of good effects) and I can't wait to get home tonight and crank it up again. Jamming with the band this weekend and the PL is coming along (even with the bad pot) so I really can't wait to unleash it in context.

And I'm doing my best to ignore the MBD1 stuff because I am terribly impulsive about gear purchases (especially pedals) and all I can say is that its probably a good thing that I can't get my hands on one right now. But I already find myself checking the classifieds every hour so I feel the impulsiveness gaining the upper hand...as it always seems to do...lol.
 
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#12
Fiset said:
Right? Way Huge did it right with the PL (well, almost, Way Huge + JohnK did it right!) But even before the mod, I used a PL for years as my go-to OD before finally relenting to the "blanket" issue. But hell, even with the blanket, the PL still had that goodness that I loved. But without the blanket, it cuts like a mofo but not in a clangy or unpleasant way. You said it right when describing it as warm yet bright. A very difficult combination to put into a single pedal. Usually when something is too warm, I need something else to brighten it up (and vice versa). I'm not nearly as good at verbalizing tone as you guys are but I am thrilled to have the PL back on my board. Even with the busted pot, I was rockin it last night along with a BeatBuddy Mini and just blasting tasty riffs off the cuff (people underestimate the inspiring nature of good effects) and I can't wait to get home tonight and crank it up again. Jamming with the band this weekend and the PL is coming along (even with the bad pot) so I really can't wait to unleash it in context.

And I'm doing my best to ignore the MBD1 stuff because I am terribly impulsive about gear purchases (especially pedals) and all I can say is that its probably a good thing that I can't get my hands on one right now. But I already find myself checking the classifieds every hour so I feel the impulsiveness gaining the upper hand...as it always seems to do...lol.
Click to expand...

Haha I'm the same way with gear. I kept ignoring the MBD1 since it's inception and one day I saw one for sale here and was like f it, I'm getting it. So glad I did.
Hope you get one one day too.
Yeah I liked it before too. But now, well, you know. It's a cool circuit because it is unique. It's not like most. And I totally understand what you mean about being inspired by effects. Why you think I have so many!! Haha I can plug straight in and play too. That's great. When I add effects though, it def increase my playing time 10 fold. Easy.
 
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#13
Fiset said:
I'm also running it at 18v for the first time which added a ton more headroom than I remember the Pork Loin having the last time I had one (in fact, had I run it at 18v the last time I had one, I doubt I ever would have sold it). The pedal is a monster now...
Click to expand...

:thumbsup:

Way Huge could do them themselves a huge favour by stating that in their manual. I nearly sold mine before finding out (sort of by accident) you could run it that way.
 
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#14
Frank77 said:
:thumbsup:

Way Huge could do them themselves a huge favour by stating that in their manual. I nearly sold mine before finding out (sort of by accident) you could run it that way.
Click to expand...

I know right? I saw someone commenting here on that and checked the manual and didn't see that anywhere. So I asked here and JohnK assured me I can run it at that. It was a very pleasantly surprise. I've run it that way since. It does make a difference. As far as ODs go, I like mine at 18v at all times.
 
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#15
gregmon79 said:
I know right? I saw someone commenting here on that and checked the manual and didn't see that anywhere. So I asked here and JohnK assured me I can run it at that. It was a very pleasantly surprise. I've run it that way since. It does make a difference. As far as ODs go, I like mine at 18v at all times.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I saw it mentioned here in a post a while ago, searched the interwebs and found others who swore it didn't fry the pedal so I decided to give it a go and yeah, makes a huge difference. Also works out that I happen to have the 18v plug on my 1Spot Pro available so its a win/win!
 
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#17
crguti said:
I did the mistake to swap the PL for the B3k. After some months, the PL went back to the board and the clanky pedal is for sale.
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Yeah, the B3K is definitely not for everyone. I had one for a while but it was a bit too bright for my setup at the time. I could probably work with one now as I'm using an Ampeg SCR-DI as a pre, which can be very warm, but I'm going to stick with the PL for now.
 

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