issues with my SECOND Einstein footswitch! -solved-

[MrNixon]

Regards to the superb Diezel team -

-I own an early Einstein - ser#002/017. First footswitch had the cable go bad right at the connection point on the switch. Was able to move the cable at the connection at the footswitch enclosure and switch channels that way.
-Current footswitch just started to only switch channels and not master volume when plugged into 'Channel/Master' selector jack. No cable issues! When footswitch is plugged into 'Master' selector jack, it switches Master volumes fine with the Channel button (As opposed to the Master button). FYI, i used the footswitch solely at home - trying to preserve the cable life as much as possible. I knew that it was only a matter of time until it started malfunctioning though...

any tips on fixing this myself? i highly doubt i've done something wrong.

also, are there any chances of an edition that does not have the TRS cable hardwired to the footswitch? It would be awesome to disconnect the TRS cable when storing the unit, instead of running the risk of damaging the hardwired cable and being shit out of luck on getting a new official footswitch.

thanks in advance!

 

[Peter Diezel]

Best solution would be to install a stereo phone plug

 

[MrNixon]

any chance of getting a new one covered by warranty before i attempt to modify this one? I looked at it and it would take a little modification to the enclosure as well as some tech work that i am going to have to round up parts for :^/

 

[Peter Diezel]

Of course. Please send Your address, phone number
and serial number of the amp to:

service (at) diezelamplification (dot) com

Cheers,
Peter

 

[badgergman]

Hey Mr Nixon

I have a tip for you here which may help you out.

I too have had issues with the Einstein switches.

What I have done is snip the cable about 20-30 cm from the switch, and install a female XLR socket (amp side) and male XLR plug (switch side).

Disconnect when not in use, makes storage easy. (Connect before turning amp on, cautious I am....)

This also prevents the cable from becoming damaged due to swinging about with the weight of the footswitch hanging from it. I'm sure thats what causes the issues. Unlikely that damage will happen in 30cm of cable on the switch side, if it does just replace that in the switch, and if the other side goes then carry a spare XLR Female to stereo TRS lead.

Job done. I have had this set up for 3-4 months now and I have had no problems. I gig a lot too...

Hey Peter. Can I have a t-shirt for sharing some Diezel love? Please...

 

[MrNixon]

dear pedro diezello

thank you so much for the excellent support.

dialed some mids out of Ch 2 for the first time the other day (i love mids), and was very surprised at how well the amp still cut while retaining the 'meanness' and attitude that cranked mids give you when chugging away on power chords. the lead tone was even fatter!

seriously, i've never scooped the mids on this amp until then. theres a first time for everything

 

[Peter Diezel]

Hey Mr Nixon

I have a tip for you here which may help you out.

I too have had issues with the Einstein switches.

What I have done is snip the cable about 20-30 cm from the switch, and install a female XLR socket (amp side) and male XLR plug (switch side).

Disconnect when not in use, makes storage easy. (Connect before turning amp on, cautious I am....)

This also prevents the cable from becoming damaged due to swinging about with the weight of the footswitch hanging from it. I'm sure thats what causes the issues. Unlikely that damage will happen in 30cm of cable on the switch side, if it does just replace that in the switch, and if the other side goes then carry a spare XLR Female to stereo TRS lead.

Job done. I have had this set up for 3-4 months now and I have had no problems. I gig a lot too...

Hey Peter. Can I have a t-shirt for sharing some Diezel love? Please...

Yes if we had some

 

[MrNixon]

What I have done is snip the cable about 20-30 cm from the switch, and install a female XLR socket (amp side) and male XLR plug (switch side).

Disconnect when not in use, makes storage easy. (Connect before turning amp on, cautious I am....)

This also prevents the cable from becoming damaged due to swinging about with the weight of the footswitch hanging from it. I'm sure thats what causes the issues. Unlikely that damage will happen in 30cm of cable on the switch side, if it does just replace that in the switch, and if the other side goes then carry a spare XLR Female to stereo TRS lead.

Yes, this is a great compromise. Saves me the trouble of drilling out a new opening in which to install a stereo jack. Instead, i'm going to put the female end on the footswitch side, that way i just need a standard TRS cable to connect to my amp. Great thinking! INCONCEIVABLE - i would've never thought of it like that; i was convinced that doing the stereo jack was the only option.

It really blows my mind how such a stout footswitch has such a bad achilles heel. Like the Death Star. I mean, after losing the first one, i went to great lengths to try to keep this one functional, because i knew the moment i saw the footswitch after buying the amp that the cable was destined to fail. I wrapped the cable on the 2nd one up very tidily (over-under cable wrap!), found it a velcro cable tie, used it at rehearsal sparingly - kept it for home usage... and now it is all wacky... like WTF MAN ?

anyway, the Diezel team comin' through with excellent support as always.

thanks again, Peter!

 

[Peter Diezel]

Footswitch sent today. I hope it arrives because
50% of our letters and small packages get lost
inside the US

 

[tripstan]

I don't know about else where but inside the US customer support on shippping can be rather disgusting I guess that's the American way, as sad as that sounds. There's alot of "Eh let the next guy take care" of it attitude. I work for a small business and have been witness many times. I wish more people would take pride in there job. I love the states but it's an internal love/hate relationship being American. Sometimes we are sooooo dang proud and other times you can't find a hole big enough to hide our big stupid heads. Anywho. . . .Can't say it enough good things about Peter and his crew, they are the best!

btw, DON'T make me come over there to get a t-shirt!

P.S. might see me wearing a 1 off t-shirt handmade by myself If you don't mind that is

 

[badgergman]

No problem Mr Nixon.

Happy to share a solution.

I would put female on the amp side as there is voltage and current coming from the amp, not much I expect but enough to power LED's. I retro fitted LED's to my Einstein switches too......

Male on amp side = live contacts when amp switched on. Potentially not the best idea. Peter can you advise here as I am only guessing?

I used XLR a sthey are way easier to solder and also offer a much more secure connection.

Peter, you need to make some t shirts.....

Einstein ROCKS!!!!

 

[MrNixon]

Received the replacement FS yesterday, along with a pleasant surprise - a Diezel Guitar Amplification sticker!!! now... gotta decide whether to put this on my pedaltrain ATA case or on my bumper....

PS Thank you mod, for editing the title with the 'solved' notation

"this case is closed." - Tom Verlaine.