Double Edge piezo just futzed out

RichardoUK · #1 07-28-2002, 11:08 AM

Hello, I have an RG2027 and the piezo has just packed up on it.

I changed the battery and checked all connections and discovered the braided wire from the bridge to the preamp pot has frayed but not snapped or broken.

If I tap the back of the preamp, there is definately signal going to the amp so I think that may be ok.

Just wondered if anyone else has had this problem and how they fixed it or if there is anything else I should check.

Also, how easy/difficult is it to replace the braided wire from the piezo elements to the preamp if that is the issue.

Rich · #2 07-28-2002, 02:47 PM

You've probably already done this but make sure the braided wire isn't touching any contacts on the board [except where it's soldered of course] or it'll ground it out.

RichardoUK · #3 07-29-2002, 05:05 AM

Hi Rich, I checked nothing was touching where it shouldn't be so that rules out that possible problem.

Anyone else got any ideas or able to tell me if re-wiring the braided cable is difficult or easy?

Rich · #4 07-29-2002, 05:09 AM

Just the double solder into the board looks tough enough, without even thinking of how the saddles actually connect. I've never been brave enough to pull a saddle to see how they did it! LOL You might want to put a call in to an Ibanez tech in Bensalem.

RichardoUK · #5 07-29-2002, 06:37 AM

Do you have a number I can call for them?

I spoke to the UK importers today who told me they do not do repairs, instead they get Ibanez to send them the new parts and replace them, and they have no one they could recommend to look into the problem either.

Rich · #6 07-29-2002, 06:42 AM

Missed the England, not under warranty I assume?

215-638-8670

RichardoUK · #7 07-29-2002, 01:54 PM

no, it's out of warranty now. I'll try calling Bensalem and see if they can help.

Thanks for the info

Rich

RichardoUK · #8 07-30-2002, 09:37 AM

Spoke to the very helpful Brian at Hoshino, who is in the process of getting me circuit diagrams for the piezo and preamp.

Hopefully I'll be up and running again soon!

Thanks again for the number Rich.

Kevan · #9 07-30-2002, 01:03 PM

Whatever you do, DO NOT pull a saddle from a DE trem. You will sorely regret it.

Richard- contact me on AIM (RG EGYPT) or via email (kevan@jemfest.com). I'll get you up and running in no time.

I've spent plenty of time with the DE systems (some might say too much. LOL).

Rich · #10 07-30-2002, 04:41 PM

Just like a poltergeist "He's baaaaaack!"

Missed ya buddy!

RichardoUK · #11 08-04-2002, 06:37 AM

KEVAN IS DA MAN!!!!

After spending an hour or so in IM with him, it has transpired that my DE system was incorrectly wired by Ibanez!

Still can't work out how it ever worked in the first place, cos by all accounts it shouldn't have!!

The only problem is, I have to send it back to the UK distributor so they can re wire it correctly and if that doesn't work, they can sort out the problem and fix it.

Thanks again Kevan, if you make it to Jemfest UK, I owe you a few beers.

Kevan · #12 08-04-2002, 12:02 PM

You're very welcome! I'm glad I could help out.

I think that if you took your guitar to your buddy with the soldering iron, he could do the necessary repairs we talked about in under an hour- as opposed to sending your guitar away for who-knows-how long.
It's not like you'd be voiding the warranty. :-)