Community: Message List

Re: Is my POD HD500 Expression pedal about to break?

support@line6.com — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 09:41:42 GMT

Hi guys,

This is a copy of something I posted in a seperate thread here: http://line6.com/support/message/397104#397104

I had exactly the same issue. Really disconcerting crunch and clank sound when pushing the pedal switch.

*Disclaimer* Dismantling the unit and any resulting issues is/are YOUR responsibility.

I dismantled the pedal (just remove the main pivot bolt and be careful to catch the washers/nuts) and saw it had been assembled wrongly. One of the washers was in the wrong place - inside the pedal instead of outside next to the nut.

If yours is the same you might want to check this. Also make sure the nylon bushings which go through the pivot hole are seated correctly and then make sure the washers are outside of the pedal block (between it and the nut/bolt at either end).

I also have my pedal fairly tight so it only moves with gentle foot pressure. No problems since and it's lovely & smooth.

Hope this helps.

**Note to anyone unfamiliar with the workings of these pedals: Don't get anything (dust, parts, grease etc) in the circuit board holes and DON'T touch the sensors! Put everything back as soon as you're done and don't get too curious. **

Message was edited by: CaptainU

Re: POD HD 500 Expression Pedal Sound (Double Click Sound)

support@line6.com — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 10:01:57 GMT

Hi guys,

This is a copy of something I posted in a seperate thread here: http://line6.com/support/message/397104#397104

I had exactly the same issue. Really disconcerting crunch and clank sound when pushing the pedal switch.

*Disclaimer* Dismantling the unit and any resulting issues is/are YOUR responsibility.

I also have my pedal fairly tight so it only moves with gentle foot pressure. No problems since and it's lovely & smooth.

Hope this helps.

Re: HD500 looper mod bright ideas

support@line6.com — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 09:31:05 GMT

CairnsFella wrote:
And I also find that the 'click' for want of a better word, seems to vary like its more of a crunch and makes me feel like Im crushing the board underneath.

I had exactly the same issue. Really disconcerting crunch and clank sound when pushing the pedal switch. Dismantled the pedal (just remove the main pivot bolt and be careful to catch the washers/nuts) and saw had been assembled wrongly. One of the washers was in the wrong place - inside the pedal instead of outside next to the nut.

If yours is the same you might want to check this. Make sure the nylon bushings which go through the pivot hole are seated correctly and then make sure the washers are outside of the pedal between it and the nut/bolt at either end.

I also have my pedal fairly tight so it only moves with foot pressure. No problems since and it's lovely & smooth.

Re: HD500 looper mod bright ideas

support@line6.com — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 10:37:32 GMT

CairnsFella wrote:

(youll probably need to schedule rubber band servicing)

You're right. One more thing to keep in my gig bag of 'emergency spare stuff'!

I was trying to follow your 'collar' idea with a nylon spring clip of some sort but then it dawned on me that with stiff rubber I could actually keep the function AND prevent the 'accidental' problem.

Worked a treat at the gig over the weekend - my problem now is to make the toe switch a little easier!! It takes massive effort sometimes!

Re: POD HD500 Looper accidentally engage - Solution

support@line6.com — Sat, 20 Oct 2012 09:43:29 GMT

Much rather enjoy a bottle of Grolsch to solve it than do the laundry!

Re: Are you able to remove the looper from the chain HD500?

support@line6.com — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 22:09:20 GMT

Hi. See this thread for my potential solution.

http://line6.com/support/thread/88693

Hope it helps.

POD HD500 Looper accidentally engage - Solution

support@line6.com — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 14:42:27 GMT

I've posted this from an earlier post as a separate discussion as it should make it easier to find for anyone searching for this specific problem...

If, like me, you've read all the discussion/advice on the problems of accidentally engaging the HD500 looper in live situations (which, unbelievably, I did three times in my first gig with this unit) but can't find a solution then I hope this helps.

Unfortunately, for some reason, the 'hold4looper' function is definitely NOT part of the HD500 (unlike the 400) although I've suggested it in an update (don't hold your breath). And official Line6 support couldn't help.

So the challenge was how to prevent my clumsy size 9' boots catching the looper button on a dark stage whilst going for FS4 or the Expression Pedal mid-riff!

Rather than disabling it or rendering it unusable I still wanted to be able to have it as a feature. I've got what seems to be a very workable solution so far. A fairly wide elastic band looped around a few times so it's tight around the stem between the footswitch cap and switch body (see picture). This gives enough resistance so the switch doesn't get depressed accidentally when going for FS4 or if slipping off the expression pedal. It does, however, still allow me to use the looper switch at any time by giving it a definite firm push down with the foot (pretty much like the Exp Toe Switch pressure).

Anyone doing the same will maybe need to experiment with elastic bands and/or number of loops to get the required effect.

I think I'll get / make a small flexible rubber collar which would fit snugly as a more permanent fix (but TBH now it's sorted I'll probably just end up leaving it!).

Anyone with a more elegant but equally usable solution please chip in!

Re: HD500 looper mod bright ideas

support@line6.com — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 14:21:01 GMT

Thanks everyone for your suggestions.

I've got what seems to be a very workable solution so far. A fairly wide elastic band looped around a few times so it's tight around the stem between the footswitch cap and switch body. This gives enough resistance so the switch doesn't get depressed accidentally when going for FS4 or if slipping off the expression pedal (which, unbelievably, I did three times in my first gig with this unit). It does, however, still allow me to use the looper switch at any time by giving it a definite firm push down with the foot.

Anyone doing the same will maybe need to experiment with elastic bands and/or number of loops to get the required effect.

I think I'll get / make a small rubber collar which would fit snugly as a more permanent fix (but now it's sorted I'll probably just end up leaving it!).

HD500 looper mod bright ideas

support@line6.com — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 20:00:19 GMT

Hi all,

I've read all the discussion/advice on the problems I have accidentally engaging the HD500 looper in live situations. The 'hold4looper' function is definitely NOT part of the HD500 (unlike the 400) although I've suggested it in an update (don't hold your breath). And official Line6 support cannot help.

So my question is does anyone have any bright ideas on how to prevent my inaccurate size 9' boots catching the looper button on a dark stage whilst in mid-riff!

Answers ranging from clever software mods to sticky tape welcomed!