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Up to Discussions in Flextone I / II / III / Duoverb / HD147
1634 Views 18 Replies Latest reply: Mar 10, 2013 10:49 AM by Redtoppicker RSS
michaedr Just Startin'
michaedr
48 posts since
Apr 13, 2007
Currently Being Moderated

Nov 23, 2011 5:11 AM

Flextone III Volume Problem

I bought the flextone III XL new in 2007.  I haven't had any issues with it until this week.  I hadn't used it since July, but it has been in a conditioned space.  When I play the volume suddenly, dramatically drops.  Once I switch to a different patch the volume returns to normal. 

 

I have read some of the other posts here and it seems like this is a somewhat common issue.  Have there been any resolutions to this?  I tried resetting the unit, but that didn't work.  I am considering taking it to a service center, but don't want to waste the money if it can't be fixed.  Has anyone with this problem taken it to a service center?

Tags: volume, flextone
  • michaedr Just Startin'
    michaedr
    48 posts since
    Apr 13, 2007
    Currently Being Moderated
    Nov 29, 2011 11:40 AM (in response to michaedr)
    Re: Flextone III Volume Problem

    Found local repair shop, but he said that he stopped supporting Line 6 products about a year ago.  He gave me a couple of tips to try though.  He said to open up the unit and check the ribbon connections and make sure that they're clean.  He also said to plug and unplug the headphone jack about a dozen times.  I'm at work now.  I'll give it a try tonight.  Hopefully it'll be something that easy.

  • michaedr Just Startin'
    michaedr
    48 posts since
    Apr 13, 2007
    Currently Being Moderated
    Nov 29, 2011 4:40 PM (in response to michaedr)
    Re: Flextone III Volume Problem

    So I got home and took the amp apart.  Never taken one apart before.  It took me a little while to figure it out.  Once I had the componet box out, I disconnected all of the wiring cables and reconnected them snuggly.  I put it back together.  I used a guitar cord and quickly inserted it into the microphone jack about twenty times.

     

    I turned the amp on, and I am happy to say that it worked as good as ever.  The volume cutting out issue completely disappeared.    Happy happy Joy joy!

    • GuitarAddiction Just Startin'
      GuitarAddiction
      6 posts since
      May 10, 2010
      Currently Being Moderated
      May 16, 2012 12:31 PM (in response to michaedr)
      Re: Flextone III Volume Problem

      Michaedr I had the same problem with my Flextone III Plus. Volume level would drop and then get loud without warning. I did the same thing, taking the component box out and making sure that all of the connections were snug and inserting a 1/4 inch jack into the headphone jack numerous times. Works like a champ. No more volume drop.

  • Kherman Just Startin'
    Kherman
    1 posts since
    Feb 3, 2007
    Currently Being Moderated
    Feb 26, 2012 6:43 AM (in response to michaedr)
    Re: Flextone III Volume Problem

    Micheadr,

     

    Now that it's been a few months.

    Has this solution actually resolved the volume drop issue?

    Or did it start up for you again?

    • michaedr Just Startin'
      michaedr
      48 posts since
      Apr 13, 2007
      Currently Being Moderated
      Feb 27, 2012 5:58 AM (in response to Kherman)
      Re: Flextone III Volume Problem

      I haven't had anymore issues with it.

       

      Since this has happened, I read someone else's post from a while back suggesting the same thing.  He suggested as a preventive maintenance item doing it once a year.  He said that it's not uncommon from the vibration of the amp for the electrical connectors inside to come loose over time.  I'll probably start doing doing the same thing.  It only took about a half an hour to do it.  Now that I've done it once it should go quicker. 

       

      If you're having the same issues, I recommend that you try it.  I don't take too long, and it worked for me. 

       

      FYI: This may sound stupid, but make sure that the amp is unplugged while you work on it.

       

      Good Luck.

      • gtnapo Just Startin'
        gtnapo
        12 posts since
        Aug 10, 2011
        Currently Being Moderated
        Apr 17, 2012 9:46 AM (in response to michaedr)
        Re: Flextone III Volume Problem

        hey man...in the beginning hallow!:P....I have problems with the sound too...when i play the volume sometimes goes down or in the sounds with full gain sometimes gain drop to 2-3 (freaky psycho things:D)..and when im turnning the knob to choose a sound then the volume goes very high...Did u had the same problems or im alone in this situation?Any suggestions??(sory for my bad english...)))

         

        HELPPPPPPPPPPPPPP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

        • michaedr Just Startin'
          michaedr
          48 posts since
          Apr 13, 2007
          Currently Being Moderated
          Apr 17, 2012 12:58 PM (in response to gtnapo)
          Re: Flextone III Volume Problem

          I didn't have any issues with volume swell or changes in the gain settings.  My flextone just started dropping drastically in volume. 

           

          The only advice I can give you is what I posted above.  Cleaning and snuggly reconnnecting the ribbon connections.  It wasn't diffilcult and didn't take too much time.  I haven't had any issues with it since.  Good Luck!

          • gtnapo Just Startin'
            gtnapo
            12 posts since
            Aug 10, 2011
            Currently Being Moderated
            Apr 18, 2012 6:02 AM (in response to michaedr)
            Re: Flextone III Volume Problem

            Michaedr thanks for your reply...i appreciate!!!!!!!!...but can you give me a "map" for this??I have the flextone 3 xl with 2 speakers..obviously i must DISCONNECT the cables in the speakers and clean them..then reconnnecting those 2 little cables right??Where esle must i clean in the amp???I dont know what compounds has this amp and where they end up to disconect and reconnect them for cleaning..Must i unscrew the "head" or this would be a mistake??Can you be a little more descriptive for the process??

             

            My friend michaedr thanks again..god bless you!!!

            • michaedr Just Startin'
              michaedr
              48 posts since
              Apr 13, 2007
              Currently Being Moderated
              Apr 19, 2012 7:35 AM (in response to gtnapo)
              Re: Flextone III Volume Problem

              I'm not around my amp right now, so I'll tell you what I can from memory.  You have to actually take out the component compartment out of the amp.  Unhook the wires to the speakers.  Note which wires are on the positive and negative connections so you can put them back in their proper place.  There are four large screws on top of the amp.  Take these out.  There are also screws on the top handle of the amp.  These need taken out too.  At this point, you should be able to take out the component compartment. 

               

              Once you have the component compartment out of the amp, there are screws that you have to take out to get inside the box.  Remove all of the these screws.  Be careful opening the box.  I believe that there was a ribbon (looks like several wires bunched together) that connects a component board in the box to a component board that is on the lid of the box.  Disconnect the ribbon from the connection on the lid of the box.  At this point, I would suggest taking a picture of the box that way you have something to refer to while reconnecting wires.  Every ribbon in the box that is not hardwired or soldered should be disconnected, clean the contacts, and firmly reconnect it.  I don't remember there being a lot of these.  Only around 4 or so.  Put it all back together.  And hopefully this does the trick for you. 

               

              A guy I talked to at a repair shop also just suggested that there could be an issue with a contact on the headphone jack that can do funky things to the amp.  Just take a guitar cord and put it in the headphone jack and pull it out several times.  Just throwing this out there, but I believe my issue was a loose connection in the amp.

               

              Good luck!

              • gtnapo Just Startin'
                gtnapo
                12 posts since
                Aug 10, 2011
                Currently Being Moderated
                Apr 23, 2012 4:01 AM (in response to michaedr)
                Re: Flextone III Volume Problem

                GOD BLESS U!!!!!!!!!YOU ARE A HOLY!!!!!!!!!!

                 

                SUPER SUPER THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

              • gtnapo Just Startin'
                gtnapo
                12 posts since
                Aug 10, 2011
                Currently Being Moderated
                May 8, 2012 4:09 AM (in response to michaedr)
                Re: Flextone III Volume Problem

                MICHAEDR one last question my friend..it was too easy to open the amp finally...but do u suggest me to use cleaning spray to the connections?this spray has speciallity to clean electric devices and in 5 minutes the liquid will be comletelly dry..i thought this because there are some places that i cant put my fingers in t clean...so whats your opinion about this??

                 

                sory for my bad english...thanks again..!!!

  • hcaley Just Startin'
    hcaley
    1 posts since
    Jan 8, 2013
    Currently Being Moderated
    Feb 26, 2013 7:57 PM (in response to michaedr)
    Re: Flextone III Volume Problem

    Has anyone tried the headphone jack plugging on it's own?  I'd had to take this thing apart if it's unnecessary.  I just tried the headphone plugging thing and I then played the amp for 1/2 hour and had no problems with the volume dropping out, whereas earlier at Guitar Center the guy got three volume dropouts in just 10 minutes.  Could it be that easy?

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