digitech 2120

**moebius** · #1 04-13-2007, 01:04 PM

I have a digitech 2120 rack mounted effects processor. I have had it for close to a decade. Last night I was unable to get any sounds out of it. I have checked all cables, but it appears that the signal is being sent from the guitar to the unit. I am guessing that the tubes have "expired" and that is the problem. Does anyone have any experience with this type of problem with this model?

Thanks,
Andrew

**jaxadam** · #2 04-13-2007, 01:43 PM

I have a 2112 has got to be going on a good decade, too (I got it new), and I have not had any problems with it (knock on wood) so definitely let us know what you have to do to fix it just in case...

jb4674 · #3 04-13-2007, 01:58 PM

I have a friend of mine who owns the GSP 2101 Artist edition and he's had problems with it due to age as well.

As for me, I've been having issues with my RP-1 as well and I also bought it new sometime between 1994-1996. I'm sure you can still get service for it. I would call or email Digitech and ask them for the nearest place near you. I emailed them a couple of weeks ago with some hookup and firmware questions and they responded in a day.

Jimmy

**moebius** · #4 04-13-2007, 03:34 PM

Thanks for the info. I will let you all know what I end up doing.
cheers,
-Andrew

Tubarão Guitars · #5 04-14-2007, 03:01 AM

i'd love to own a 2120 if it wasn't t0000 expensive here in Brazil.
1200 USD dolars is 'enuff' for ya?

sers · #6 04-14-2007, 07:36 AM

i know what you mean Tubarão , Argentina has the same out of orbit prices!!!!

Somos Pobres Hermano!!!

bpd111 · #7 04-14-2007, 11:16 AM

I would be surprised if the tubes went lights-out like that. There is a battery that is used to remember your presets which could go, but I would think you'd still have a signal, just lose the memory. You'll have to pay, but I'm sure Digitech - or someone local - could get it up and running if you're not able to.

**moebius** · #8 04-14-2007, 04:59 PM

Digitech were quick to get back to me. They said they would charge a flat rate of 85$. Since I think it is the tubes, I am just going to get some new ones and fix it myself. The guy at Digitech was nice enough to tell me step by step how to change out the tubes.

Any suggestions for tubes? I am hoping to get some higher gain tubes, I have never been that happy with the distortions with this unit.

MadRyan · #9 04-15-2007, 02:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moebius

Digitech were quick to get back to me. They said they would charge a flat rate of 85$. Since I think it is the tubes, I am just going to get some new ones and fix it myself. The guy at Digitech was nice enough to tell me step by step how to change out the tubes.

Any suggestions for tubes? I am hoping to get some higher gain tubes, I have never been that happy with the distortions with this unit.

You're most likely going to be happier with a lower gain tube as it will sound less brittle and fizzy. I'm going to swap out my tubes in my 2101 for GT-12AX7M's from Dougs Tubes when I re-tube my Mesa in a couple of weeks. I'll prolly do the battery while I'm at it.

stratoskier · #10 04-15-2007, 08:50 AM

I just picked up a 2120 a month or so ago. After doing a lot of reading on the net, it seems like the consensus is to go with either JJ/Tesla 12AX7 or Electro Harmonix 12AX7 tubes. Also, it sounds like the 2 tubes are hard wired to do different things: one works with the tube overdrive circuit, and the other works with the clean circuit. For that reason, a lot of people used mixed tubes: 1 type that was ideal for clean and the other that was ideal for the overdrive. Do a search in the Google Groups 2120 forum and you'll find details.
Bert

**moebius** · #11 04-18-2007, 12:48 PM

Cool, I will check into that. I order some JJ/Tesla high gain tubes. I will see how they sound and take it fromt there.
Cheers,
-Andrew

**moebius** · #12 04-19-2007, 10:29 AM

Well I changed out the tubes last night. Seems to have done the trick. I am now able to get all my sounds out of the unit. Tubes sound pretty good. I did not do an A/B test to see if they sound better than the stock largely due to the fact that at least one of the stock tubes was not working to begin with. Changing the tubes out was a peice of cake. I was not able to find any info on google groups about mixing tubes due to different roles e.g. one tube for clean, one tube for dirty. Stratoskier, if you have a direct link, I would like to check it out.
Cheers,
-Andrew

stratoskier · #13 04-19-2007, 01:52 PM

Oops -- I meant to say "Yahoo Groups" There is a group there called "2120" This link might get you there:
http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/2120/

You might have to register for the group to read the messages: some groups require that and others don't. Once there, do a search on "Tubes" or "JJ Tesla" or something like that, and I think you'll find the old posts talking about mixing tubes of different brands. Some people seemed to think it really helped and others just went with the same tube type in both sockets. The group doesn't have much activity anymore, but there are lots of threads from back when the 2120 first appeared that have useful info.
Cheers,
Bert