Tips:

THE FOLLOWING ARE INTENDED FOR GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ONLY. ALWAYS UNPLUG ANYTHING BEFORE YOU TAKE IT APART. ELECTRICUTION IS NOT FUN AND SERIOUS INJURY CAN OCCUR, SO PLEASE USE YOUR HEAD!

FUSES: Should only be changed out with a like type and size. Never replace a blown fuse with a larger value fuse (this will only cause more damage to the unit in question). In some rare instances a fuse will blow for no apparent reason. However, most of the time if a fuse blows there is a reason for it. If it is in an amp, check your speaker cables, check the speaker, make sure you are plugged into good power, some clubs have awful wiring and can create problems for the performer. If you have checked everything else out and you are still blowing fuses take your amp to a qualified technician.

POTS: (volume controls, tone controls, etc.) - If your amp, mixer etc. is cutting out and/or sounding scratchy, try cleaning the pots. An easy way to do this is turn your unit off, then turn the pot fully clockwise then counterclockwise. Do this several times and at a high rate of speed. Now turn the amp back on and try it. Did the scratchy sound go away? If not you can use a cleaner such as "De-Ox It". Here are some basic guidelines for doing just that:

1. Never spray out a fader (like on the eq section on a powered mixer or the main channel control on a mixing console) with a cleaning agent. This will cause the fader in question to lose its feel and to have a "sticky" feel. A regular radial pot will lose its feel as well; however, it is much more noticeable in an in-line fader.
   
   
2. Once you get to the part in question locate an opening in its covering (usually right where the legs come out). Some pots do not have an opening and should be replaced. Be careful of over spray. You do not want to saturate the circuit board with a cleaning agent. This may cause the unit to short out and may cause permanent damage.

If this still does not cure your problem you either need to replace the part or there is something else wrong.

If you know how to solder, and feel that you are inclined enough to get the unit apart without breaking anything. (Don't kid yourself here! I've seen lots of circuit boards damaged by people who tried to fix it themselves.) Check for bad connections where the pot connects to the circuit board.

NEVER EVER UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES GLUE A KNOB TO A POT!!!!! If you have a knob that is loose and wants to fall off of your unit spimply wrap a piece of teflon tape or paper over the shaft and slide the knob overtop of it. If you glue your knobs on they cannot be removed and future service is not possible without destroying the pot. At aprox $5 a pot that can add up quick.

THIS TIPS SECTION WILL BE EXPANDED IN THE FUTURE, SO BOOKMARK THIS PAGE