2009
08.09

DL4 Repair

I bought my DL4 from a friend a few years ago for $75. The previous previous owner had spray painted it black. Switch C never worked right. It worked well enough, and I used it live for well over a year.

Here it is, on the desk o’ effects. Note the craptacular paint job.

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I figured it was the switch itself that was buggered. Line 6 doesn’t use an actual momentary stomp switch. The switch on the modeler pedals is just a metal poker that activates a tactile switch. Super chincy.

So I ordered some switches that I prayed would fit:

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They fit, but I had to desolder the existing tactile switches. What a pain in the ass. Normally, my extra strong solder pump makes quick business of such mundane tasks. But in an effort to scrimp every god-damn penny out of the product, Line6 wave soldered all the components. Which uses very little solder. And makes it an epic pain to desolder.

Anyway, here’s what I ended up with. The case took a vacation to the bead blaster at work:

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And vaguely put back together:

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everything works again, and so far it looks pretty good. Still need to get everything back together. Just need to see about getting it painted, or if I want to leave it bare aluminum. Also considering finding some obnoxious colored 3mm LED’s to replace the stock red. Anything but blue.

For $10 in switches and a sweaty couple minutes in front of the bead blaster, I’m happy.

4 comments so far

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  1. Do you have pictures of the new switch soldered in place? I was wondering where the wires from the PCB to the switch connect on this type of switch..thanks

  2. I’m wondering what type of switch did you buy to replace the old ones with? I think I’m going to have to do the same repair job on mine.

  3. Do you have pictures of the new switch soldered in place? I was wondering where the wires from the PCB to the switch connect on this type of switch..thanks

  4. I’m wondering what type of switch did you buy to replace the old ones with? I think I’m going to have to do the same repair job on mine.