/ Register

VT Bass DI troubles

Discussion in 'Effects [BG]' started by babsobass, Jul 6, 2019.

  1. Jul 6, 2019 #1
    babsobass

    babsobass

    Jan 10, 2009
    Milwaukee, WI
    I'm having troubles with my VT Bass DI. For a long time now the footswitch has worked intermittently, usually taking a couple of presses or so to get the VT Bass to turn on (LED on). Now, it just seems to have given up on me. I tried the obvious, new battery, checked and rechecked bass input, etc., but nothing. It would make sense that whatever was working intermittently has now completely failed.

    So, I was curious if anyone has any recommendations on how to resurrect my VT Bass DI. It is several years old so I'm sure it's no longer under warranty. I have soldering skills so I probably would be able to replace the switch myself if that, indeed, is the problem. I'm not sure if it is directly soldered to a board or wired to one. Out of warranty repair by Tech21 is also a possibility....

    If anyone has had this problem, or something similar, let me know what you did. Thanks.
     
  2. Jul 6, 2019 #2
    DarkStar90

    DarkStar90

    Feb 4, 2008
    Might be worth it to try Deoxidizer spray on the switch (Deoxit, not WD40). It happened to my VT. The problem went away after that. Try it before replacing the switch, they are good switches, oxidation is normal.

    If i recall correctly, the circuit board has to be unscrewed from the box first.
     
  3. Jul 10, 2019 #3
    tech21nyc

    tech21nyc Commercial User

    Aug 17, 2010
    Manufacturer: Tech 21
    The switch on the pedal is an actuator that triggers the "tact" switch that is mounted to the circuit board. Those switches rarely fail. It sounds like it might just be a simple matter of the spring in the footswitch actuator going "off-axis", so it's not coming down and squarely hitting the tact switch on the circuit board dead-center.

    Remove the bottom plate of the pedal and with power applied (if you're using a battery, you'll need to plug a cable into the input... with a power supply, you won't...), gently push the spring aside and press the tact switch with your finger (you'll feel the little "circle in the square" membrane) and see if the LED goes on and off, so you can confirm that tact switch is functioning properly. If that part seems fine, pull and twist the spring around with a pair of tweezers (curved ones work best, if you happen to have those) and see if you can re-align it so that the LED will go on and off consistently when you hit the footswitch.
     
    babsobass, Al Kraft, Kro and 4 others like this.
  4. Jul 10, 2019 #4
    JimmyM

    JimmyM Supporting Member

    Apr 11, 2005
    Apopka, FL
    Endorsing: Yamaha, Ampeg, Line 6, EMG
    Had this happen on my VT Deluxe, and repositioning the spring worked like a charm.
     
    babsobass, Al Kraft and Kro like this.
  5. Jul 11, 2019 #5
    babsobass

    babsobass

    Jan 10, 2009
    Milwaukee, WI
    Bingo, that was it! A little tweaking of the spring position and the switch is now working. Thanks for the help.
     
    tech21nyc, Mvilmany, Al Kraft and 2 others like this.
  6. Jul 11, 2019 #6
    Al Kraft

    Al Kraft Supporting Member

    May 2, 2016
    Northern Virginia
    Now that's customer support while standing right in the spotlight for all to see. There's a lot more to like about Tech 21 than just great pedals! :thumbsup:
     
    babsobass likes this.