Roland AP-7 Jet Phaser - a work in progress

[rratajski]

A little over a year ago, I bought a Roland AP-7 Jet Phaser from a dude on HC. When it arrived, the rotary knob wasn't working properly. Some positions worked, others were duds or had to be jiggled to work. It was very inconsistent. Instead of messing around with a $300+ pedal and potentially messing it up, I sent it back to the owner for a refund.

Duder sold it to me last week for MUCH less than I originally bought it for last year. I couldn't pass this up, especially since I understand circuits a liiiiittle bit more than I did a year ago. It arrived today with that wonky rotary. A $10 donation to Radio Shack for some electronics cleaner, a little spraying, and 20 minutes of my time was all this puppy needed to get working!!!

So, here's the plan.........
1. Replace the power supply (2 battery clips) with 1 DC power jack and buy an 18V power supply.

2. Replace the volume pot so it's "always on". The current config lets you turn the unit on or off via the volume pot.

3. Replace the footswitches with newer jawns. The old ones are going to go eventually...I might as well bring it up to par with current designs.

4. Add an on/off LED so I know it's on.

5. Replace the input/output jacks with newer, more reliable jacks and reverse the configuration (currently has input on the left).

6. Replace the rotary switch and pots --- this one is way down the line!

Ideas? Thoughts? Pics to come soon!

 

[skulletwhip]

Good luck.

 

[RCCollins]

clone it and sell it to me

 

[Lindsay]

There is a Roland refurb kit available (I have no idea how to get it, btw), but I bought one that had been refurbished and it is PERFECT.

I need to use battery clips (or batteries) to power it but that's not a big deal because the battery plate comes off and the cables can be tucked away nicely.

Some guys in Hong Kong did the refurb.

Here's a pic:

 

[rratajski]

clone it and sell it to me

I wish I had the know-how.

 

[vegas532]

I wish I had the know-how.

You'd have one hell of a seller if you did.

 

[jetofuj]

I had one of these and it was really sweet. It's a vintage pedal, so I would only change the parts that need to be replaced myself.

 

[metalinthenight]

You'd have one hell of a seller if you did.

Yep. It would be a definite WIN.

Good luck with the Refurb Ry! Can't wait for pics!

 

[RCCollins]

I wish I had the know-how.

i've seen the guts of that pedal - i wasn't seriously expecting you to clone it

 

[rratajski]

i've seen the guts of that pedal - i wasn't seriously expecting you to clone it

If someone can make me a clone of bjorn's brain and translate it English for me, it would help me immensely.

 

[RCCollins]

If someone can make me a clone of bjorn's brain and translate it English for me, it would help me immensely.

I've never seen any evidence that he's a guru of modulation

 

[vegas532]

i've seen the guts of that pedal - i wasn't seriously expecting you to clone it

So...that would mean that there's a reason chicago mike's been at it for a while?

 

[RCCollins]

I'd actually be more interested in a modern pedal based on the jet phaser concept - something with integrated fuzz, but with modern features like stage and waveform selection, frequency control, envelope activation... and the list goes on

then again, I can just use a pigtronix EP-2 with the fuzz of my choice and I have most of those things.

 

[jetofuj]

If you want a clone you should ask John from Basic Audio.

 

[Swimming Bird]

[sfx] did a custom jet phase type project for a TBer: http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=731213&highlight=sfx

 

[rratajski]

[sfx] did a custom jet phase type project for a TBer: http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=731213&highlight=sfx

While this does sound great, it does not sound like the Roland. I'll have clips up soon!

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Updates:
Modded for 18v power supply, LED for on/off, LEDs for fast/slow speed, switched and replaced bypass fs and speed fs, switched input/output jacks! Rejoice!
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[Lapicide]

I have an AP7 that I like very much. I haven't been able to find any phaser yet that captures it's intense swirly phase. I do have several other phasers also, each has their own merits. The AP 7 does loose a bit of bottom end, hence why it is so midrange swirly and cool sounding. There is a bit of volume loss when engaged with just the phase mode, so I built a small low gain preamp into the pedal at the output to match levels when used.
Good luck on the rehab... and enjoy...... Lapicide

 

[rratajski]

I have an AP7 that I like very much. I haven't been able to find any phaser yet that captures it's intense swirly phase. I do have several other phasers also, each has their own merits. The AP 7 does loose a bit of bottom end, hence why it is so midrange swirly and cool sounding. There is a bit of volume loss when engaged with just the phase mode, so I built a small low gain preamp into the pedal at the output to match levels when used.
Good luck on the rehab... and enjoy...... Lapicide

I was thinking of adding a second volume pot or boost. Do you have any clips?

 

[fitz420]

i heard one of those years ago.....good score. they are super dope.

 

[Lapicide]

Sorry no recent clips. I'll record some, although it will not be until next weekend that I am available to record some clips. I'll see what I can do...... BTW, I added the variable boost on a small pcb that fits into the battery compartment...... Lapicide