TRACE-ELLIOT ELF SCHEMATIC

[S-Bigbottom]

Speaking of that, I was planning to use some "magic cure-all spray" on the volume pot on my GB SM12.2 head. It is SUPER scratchy. I mean like speaker-destroying scratchy, if I so much as just touch it while the amp is on. Is there something I can safely try spraying in there, or is there a different fix you recommend?

I would recommend sending the amp to Mr. Agedhorse for the cheap flat rate GB service. He will fix that pot and while in there test that everything is preforming up to spec and if not adjustments will be made to bring the amp to like or better than new performance. Did I mention cheap and fast turn around?
Private message him for more details.

(I get nothing from promoting this except the knowledge that the amp will be better off if it goes through this service and so will the owner of said amp.)

 

[StatesideRambler]

First, make sure there’s no DC voltage on the pot. A failing/leaky coupling cap or something else could be at the root of the scratchiness. Pots in audio circuits don’t like DC voltage and the scratchy noise is their way of saying so. I agree with S-Bigbottom that you and the amp would benefit from sending it to agedhorse for some genuine G-B loving care.

GC Electronics has a line of spray cleaners that work well (and safely) on pots. Their Jiffy Bath product, an odd name I admit, is the one I’ve used. I have used CRC contact cleaner with good results as well. The real trick is to find a way to get the spray inside the pot where it’s useful. Down the pot shaft and around the terminals is about all the access there is. Don’t be coy with the amount you spray but don’t make puddles, either. You need to spray in enough so it will wash away the tiny debris buildup that’s causing the problem. Be sure to rotate the control back and forth as you spray and continue until most of the spray has evaporated.

 

[BassmanPaul]

Spraying contact cleaner down the shaft of a pot is one of the best ways of destroying the pot entirely. You will wash out the lubrication from the shaft into the pot itself.

 

[xnewyorka]

I would recommend sending the amp to Mr. Agedhorse for the cheap flat rate GB service. He will fix that pot and while in there test that everything is preforming up to spec and if not adjustments will be made to bring the amp to like or better than new performance. Did I mention cheap and fast turn around?
Private message him for more details.

(I get nothing from promoting this except the knowledge that the amp will be better off if it goes through this service and so will the owner of said amp.)

First, make sure there’s no DC voltage on the pot. A failing/leaky coupling cap or something else could be at the root of the scratchiness. Pots in audio circuits don’t like DC voltage and the scratchy noise is their way of saying so. I agree with S-Bigbottom that you and the amp would benefit from sending it to agedhorse for some genuine G-B loving care.

GC Electronics has a line of spray cleaners that work well (and safely) on pots. Their Jiffy Bath product, an odd name I admit, is the one I’ve used. I have used CRC contact cleaner with good results as well. The real trick is to find a way to get the spray inside the pot where it’s useful. Down the pot shaft and around the terminals is about all the access there is. Don’t be coy with the amount you spray but don’t make puddles, either. You need to spray in enough so it will wash away the tiny debris buildup that’s causing the problem. Be sure to rotate the control back and forth as you spray and continue until most of the spray has evaporated.

Thanks for the tips, gents. I guess I'll probably go ahead and do that.
The annoying thing is that the G-B is basically brand new.
I bought it here on the TB Classifieds from the original owner, who had clearly not had it out of the box very much nor very long. I'm assuming he dumped it because of the issue, instead of getting the issue addressed as it should have been. It has been sitting here just acting as a rather expensive paperweight because of the issue, and I'd like to sell it, but cannot in good conscience sell it in its current state. I'd like to invest as little as possible in getting it back to spec and then let somebody make good use of it. I'm quite happy with my new (to me) Sadowsky SA200 and don't really see a need for any other amp for home/studio use.
For traveling to rehearsals, the Elf is the cat's meow. A good-enough sounding amp that fits in the small pocket of the gig bag? How can you beat that?!

 

[S-Bigbottom]

I'd like to invest as little as possible in getting it back to spec

Do not know about shipping but The Service will be under $100. Unless someone has been poking around and messed things up or altered the insides.

 

[Wasnex]

Thanks for the tips, gents. I guess I'll probably go ahead and do that.
The annoying thing is that the G-B is basically brand new.
I bought it here on the TB Classifieds from the original owner, who had clearly not had it out of the box very much nor very long. I'm assuming he dumped it because of the issue, instead of getting the issue addressed as it should have been. It has been sitting here just acting as a rather expensive paperweight because of the issue, and I'd like to sell it, but cannot in good conscience sell it in its current state. I'd like to invest as little as possible in getting it back to spec and then let somebody make good use of it. I'm quite happy with my new (to me) Sadowsky SA200 and don't really see a need for any other amp for home/studio use.
For traveling to rehearsals, the Elf is the cat's meow. A good-enough sounding amp that fits in the small pocket of the gig bag? How can you beat that?!

Any scratchy pots on your SA200?

 

[xnewyorka]

Any scratchy pots on your SA200?

Not at all. Unless I am playing, that thing makes just as much noise turned on as it does turned off.

 

[Wasnex]

Not at all. Unless I am playing, that thing makes just as much noise turned on as it does turned off.

That's interesting. I own two SA200s and both have several scratchy pots with a few spots that are very touchy. Aside from that, they sound fabulous. I bought both used from different people, and neither appears to have been abused.

 

[agedhorse]

.. which tells me everything I need to know : that there is (at least some kind of) a procedure, and (at least some kind of) schematics.
Which is already way better than some companies I have to work with.

Oh by the way, the schematics for my bass400+ seem to be available online, however there is also a rumor that they are not entirely accurate, supposedly to avoid too easy copying.
Are you allowed to confirm or deny this information ?

There are several versions depending on when in the product life it was built. It's also a product that's been discontinued for many years.

Speaking of that, I was planning to use some "magic cure-all spray" on the volume pot on my GB SM12.2 head. It is SUPER scratchy. I mean like speaker-destroying scratchy, if I so much as just touch it while the amp is on. Is there something I can safely try spraying in there, or is there a different fix you recommend?

Addendum to keep it on topic: Meanwhile, my Elf cooks along good as new with zero issues.

TINY spray of DeOxit D-5 into the slot that the terminals exit from. Only the smallest amount, and NEVER down the shaft.

I suspect that your amp was dropped and may have damaged the control though.

First, make sure there’s no DC voltage on the pot. A failing/leaky coupling cap or something else could be at the root of the scratchiness. Pots in audio circuits don’t like DC voltage and the scratchy noise is their way of saying so. I agree with S-Bigbottom that you and the amp would benefit from sending it to agedhorse for some genuine G-B loving care.

GC Electronics has a line of spray cleaners that work well (and safely) on pots. Their Jiffy Bath product, an odd name I admit, is the one I’ve used. I have used CRC contact cleaner with good results as well. The real trick is to find a way to get the spray inside the pot where it’s useful. Down the pot shaft and around the terminals is about all the access there is. Don’t be coy with the amount you spray but don’t make puddles, either. You need to spray in enough so it will wash away the tiny debris buildup that’s causing the problem. Be sure to rotate the control back and forth as you spray and continue until most of the spray has evaporated.

Spraying contact cleaner down the shaft of a pot is one of the best ways of destroying the pot entirely. You will wash out the lubrication from the shaft into the pot itself.

1. DeOxit D-5 is the only approved substance

2. Only the tiniest amount possible

3. NEVER down the shaft.

Otherwise it will cost extra to clean up the mess and replace the pots

Do not know about shipping but The Service will be under $100. Unless someone has been poking around and messed things up or altered the insides.

Correct, nothing worse than trying to fix something that's been messed with.

 

[Frank77]

Did the OP ever get his parts / sort the issue?

 

[ThisYouCanTrust]

It's also a product that's been discontinued for many years.

Sure.
However the only time I opened it it looked like it could be repaired to infinity.
I could be mistaken of course, being no EE.

 

[steve pearce]

Hi all, well I said I would get back to you with the results of my initial post about the Trace Elliot Elf which I damaged by accidently plugging it into another amp rather than a speaker cabinet. As you will have read, the part I need is a small sub assembly circuit board, not the main board.
As it turns out, Trace Elliot are now owned by Peavey and whilst originally a British brand they are now in USA as part of the Peavey group. The amp, whilst advertised as designed in the UK/USA is, like most things, made in China. An authorised Peavey repair centre here in the UK have contacted Peavey to try and obtain the part I need but have been informed by Peavey that not only is the sub assembly board not available but the whole circuit board assy is also not a part that can be supplied either!
It's only when things go wrong that you find out which companies or service providers are customer orientated rather than purely profit orientated.
In my opinion, not making the spare parts available certainly will not encourage somebody to purchase another product from the same manufacturer.
So, for the limited effect it will have, Peavey and Trace Elliot have lost a customer, I will not be recommending their products to anybody.
Cheers all.

 

[mmon77]

Thanks for the update. Sorry that it didn't work out better for you though.

I guess they've decided that the Elf is disposable.

 

[Rune Bivrin]

Try giving it an item of clothing. That might set it free...

 

[Redbrangus]

I'm sorry to hear that. I had thought you were going to prove me wrong, which would have been very cool...I too bemoan the concept of devices being disposable rather than repairable. I wouldn't throw too much shade on PV/TE...I doubt they are unique on this issue. It's the world of cheap manufactured goods we live in. Let's face it, part of the appeal of the Elf is it's 'commodity' price...I'm sure they wouldn't be selling like hotcakes if they were $500. Personally, I've been considering the BAM 200 to fill a similar function and the street price for it is $150-US, or about the cost of 2 sets of Tomastiks. What a world.