The micro/low voltage pots on these amps tend to be a little noisy. Just the nature of the beast. I'll go through the whole panel from time to time and give all the knobs a little workout, especially when one starts to raise hell and reminds me.
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Double Bass Walter Woods repair
- Thread starter Mark Carlsen
- Start date
The Jazz Lawyer said:
Actually it's more likely he didn't want the temporally-limited protection granted under patent law (currently a 20-year from filing term) and instead chose to protect himself by keeping his designs a trade secret (which is not subject to any time limitation). Smart choice.
Sorry for the quick diversion into intellectual property law.
Kindness said:
Or more likely his circuits aren't particularly patentable, or it would cost too much to try to defend them.
There haven't been all that many revolutionary changes in audio design in the last few decades. What seems to distinguish the high-end musical instrument amplifiers like his, EA and AI is that they're paying attention to detail, using better componants, and actually producing HiFi amps with truely flat response, plenty of headroom and effctive tone controls.
Sorry to be redundant, but be very careful what you use to spray pots out with. You could easily ruin the pot or at least make a minor problem into a major one by using the wrong product.
It's very important to use a product that is specifically designed for use with potentiometers and similar devices. This type of cleaner spray contains a lubricant, while electronic contact cleaner usually does not. If you use contact cleaner without the added lubricant, the potentiometer could be damaged or even ruined.
Radio Shack may not have the best reputation with some, but they have TV-Tuner/Control Cleaner/Lubricant spray (cat # 64-4315) that is suitable for cleaning and lubricating pots.
Finally, make sure that you use any spray cleaner sparingly. A short spray is usually enough. You don't want the spray to run out of the pot and contaminate other parts of the equipment, since this can cause other problems.
-bob
It's very important to use a product that is specifically designed for use with potentiometers and similar devices. This type of cleaner spray contains a lubricant, while electronic contact cleaner usually does not. If you use contact cleaner without the added lubricant, the potentiometer could be damaged or even ruined.
Radio Shack may not have the best reputation with some, but they have TV-Tuner/Control Cleaner/Lubricant spray (cat # 64-4315) that is suitable for cleaning and lubricating pots.
Finally, make sure that you use any spray cleaner sparingly. A short spray is usually enough. You don't want the spray to run out of the pot and contaminate other parts of the equipment, since this can cause other problems.
-bob
- May 6, 2003
- 5,272
- 160
- 64
- Disclosures
- Proprietor Fifth Avenue Fret Shop. Technical Editor Bass Gear Magazine
Radio Shack is now selling little blister packed Caig Labs Deoxit and ProGold. Little trial sized, case sized things. Part # 64-4338. $15. I'd just get that. It's great stuff.
[
It's very important to use a product that is specifically designed for use with potentiometers and similar devices. This type of cleaner spray contains a lubricant, while electronic contact cleaner usually does not. If you use contact cleaner without the added lubricant, the potentiometer could be damaged or even ruined.
Radio Shack may not have the best reputation with some, but they have TV-Tuner/Control Cleaner/Lubricant spray (cat # 64-4315) that is suitable for cleaning and lubricating pots.
Finally, make sure that you use any spray cleaner sparingly. A short spray is usually enough. You don't want the spray to run out of the pot and contaminate other parts of the equipment, since this can cause other problems.
-bob[/QUOTE]
I remember Walter telling me years ago to use a short blast not only to clean the pots,but also so the lube doesn't dry out[The grease on the knob shafts] He was cofident that if I followed directions correctly,then there would be no problem.
My amp now is in good hands....
It's very important to use a product that is specifically designed for use with potentiometers and similar devices. This type of cleaner spray contains a lubricant, while electronic contact cleaner usually does not. If you use contact cleaner without the added lubricant, the potentiometer could be damaged or even ruined.
Radio Shack may not have the best reputation with some, but they have TV-Tuner/Control Cleaner/Lubricant spray (cat # 64-4315) that is suitable for cleaning and lubricating pots.
Finally, make sure that you use any spray cleaner sparingly. A short spray is usually enough. You don't want the spray to run out of the pot and contaminate other parts of the equipment, since this can cause other problems.
-bob[/QUOTE]
I remember Walter telling me years ago to use a short blast not only to clean the pots,but also so the lube doesn't dry out[The grease on the knob shafts] He was cofident that if I followed directions correctly,then there would be no problem.
My amp now is in good hands....
Uncletoad said:
Phil and everyone,
Sorry for sounding like a broken record, but I'd be very careful with this stuff. Improperly used, even the latest and greatest super-duper products can do really bad things. I can't begin to tell you how much very expensive equipment I have seen over the years that had problems caused by indiscriminate use of spray cleaners. I know it sounds crazy, but it's very true. The Caig Labs products, while excellent, in particular need to be used properly with great care and VERY sparingly.
I'd recommend to anyone considering using these products that they read this article on the Caig Labs website about potentiometer maintenance:
http://store.caig.com/s.nl/sc.2/category.237/it.I/id.26/.f
-bob
Well, Woody returned w.a complete overhaul to Papa.It took exactly one week.
I Fedexed out to Walter 2 day express last Monday as per his request as he told me he had one just like it [2 years older] and that he going into Amp Building mode the followiing week.It did cost a bit to ship [$70.00] but his service is unparelled.
He rebuilt my Power Section and explained to me last Friday that I had one of 2 amps that he has done this kind of repair.He has original parts he bought out from Motorola [Transistors] years ago and he also replaced Rectafiers ,my ac cord, and put on longer Fins [Sides] to protect the knobs.
He also did the cleanup and sprayed my pots.[Imagine Boys, Walter did my Pots Personally with his special Spray!!!]
My fee also included shipping home.I got a reciept for taxes and basically a brand new amp.Sounds as good as ever.
I am superstitious as my nex't gig is the same place where it crapped out.What will I do.....
This thread really sparked some interest in Walter's products and about his service.Since I started this I would again like to say Sorry to the fact that I may have not given Walter enough time to finally get back to me.I do run a busy Bass Shop and understand Customer Service.But I am also a father and husband and pretty busy preformer and sometimes it's tough to get back to everyone.So that being said ,the lesson I learned from all this is to listen to your friends,be patient,and all will work its self out.Thanks go to my friends here in the Boston area[Fellow WW owners] and all the help from you fellow TBer's.
I Fedexed out to Walter 2 day express last Monday as per his request as he told me he had one just like it [2 years older] and that he going into Amp Building mode the followiing week.It did cost a bit to ship [$70.00] but his service is unparelled.
He rebuilt my Power Section and explained to me last Friday that I had one of 2 amps that he has done this kind of repair.He has original parts he bought out from Motorola [Transistors] years ago and he also replaced Rectafiers ,my ac cord, and put on longer Fins [Sides] to protect the knobs.
He also did the cleanup and sprayed my pots.[Imagine Boys, Walter did my Pots Personally with his special Spray!!!]
My fee also included shipping home.I got a reciept for taxes and basically a brand new amp.Sounds as good as ever.
I am superstitious as my nex't gig is the same place where it crapped out.What will I do.....
This thread really sparked some interest in Walter's products and about his service.Since I started this I would again like to say Sorry to the fact that I may have not given Walter enough time to finally get back to me.I do run a busy Bass Shop and understand Customer Service.But I am also a father and husband and pretty busy preformer and sometimes it's tough to get back to everyone.So that being said ,the lesson I learned from all this is to listen to your friends,be patient,and all will work its self out.Thanks go to my friends here in the Boston area[Fellow WW owners] and all the help from you fellow TBer's.
T-Bal said:
Hate to revive an old thread but I finally opened up my WW M100 and lo and behold inside there's a schematic. It's also stamped "Patented" so that answers that question.
Freddels said:
I have owned three Walter Woods Amplifiers a WW M100, a WW M400 and
a Ultra High Power Electro Acoustic. The earlier models did come with
schematics, but I think once he redesigned the line and built the Electro Acoustic versions circa 1997, he stopped including schematics. I still have
both the MM 400 and the Ultra. They are very different amplifiers.
I'm glad that you have your amp fixed. I'm actually considering
sending the WW M400 in just to have it checked out, wish me luck.
Since most amplifiers don't last 23 years, Walter's supply of parts
would have to include stuff that simply isn't made anymore. Walter has been building these amps since 1975 or so. Audio parts have changed over many times, it's really to his credit that he was farsighted enough to
realize he would have to have a large stock of original parts
to fix amplifiers that were built that long ago.
Ric
Ric,
Thanks for your comments.Walter told me during our week of coversations that he has tested replacement parts
that match up to these Motorola parts that he bought out....Nothing matches up to his specs....He has a 20 year stash.
This guy is simply the Best at what he does and when every other smart cat tries to figure him out,he is 2 steps ahead !! The amp by the way is killin...
Thanks for your comments.Walter told me during our week of coversations that he has tested replacement parts
that match up to these Motorola parts that he bought out....Nothing matches up to his specs....He has a 20 year stash.
This guy is simply the Best at what he does and when every other smart cat tries to figure him out,he is 2 steps ahead !! The amp by the way is killin...
Mark Carlsen said:
I had a similar wonderful experience with Walter. Had a scratchy volume pot on my Ultra (after many, many gigs over the years) that nothing seemed to fix... Walter told me to ship it back... had it back in less than a week... new pot along with some minor upgrades to the power section (I bought one of the first 1200watt Ultra's, and he said that later in the production cycle he found some better, higher quality sourcing for a few of the parts). Very cool!
I forgot that my original WW M100 had a bad power supply
when I purchased it in 1979 ( wow was that really 26 years ago!)
When I called Walter he said send it back, he had a entire run
of digital switching power supplies that were defective. He told
me that he had amps coming in from all over the world that he
had to replace the power supplies in. He did it at no cost.
Once I had to get the AC cable replaced and he charged me
next to nothing for that as well. Just glad that you got
through to him and he's ok and you're amps ok.
Oregon is still using WW Amplifiers that the bought long
ago. Glen Moore said that they had the wiring in them
totally replaced by some guy in L.A. I'll just wait until
Walter isn't so busy.
Ric
when I purchased it in 1979 ( wow was that really 26 years ago!)
When I called Walter he said send it back, he had a entire run
of digital switching power supplies that were defective. He told
me that he had amps coming in from all over the world that he
had to replace the power supplies in. He did it at no cost.
Once I had to get the AC cable replaced and he charged me
next to nothing for that as well. Just glad that you got
through to him and he's ok and you're amps ok.
Oregon is still using WW Amplifiers that the bought long
ago. Glen Moore said that they had the wiring in them
totally replaced by some guy in L.A. I'll just wait until
Walter isn't so busy.
Ric
Hi guys, I've got an M100-8 that I spokje with Walter about re-furbishing a while back and now have no idea how or where the # is that I used to reach him. Does anyone have a "good" contact # for him? If so I would really appreciate the info
Thanks!
Thanks!
The "gone fishing" story was interesting but I doubt it's true. Walter lives and works in Palm Desert, CA (this is in the Coachella Valley, very near Plam Springs) and I can't imagine there are any good fishing spots nearby.
I assume this is the same Walter Woods...fdeck said:
Invalid Link Removed
US patent 4,092,608. Note, in case anybody is curious about searching patents for free, I used www.uspto.gov for the basic search, then the European patent agency for viewing the document. The document viewer at the US agency doesn't work on my computer.
