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Topic: A 1960's Vox vol. pedal. Had hum, fixed, why did fix work?? |
Dick Chapple Sr
From:
Hardin Montana, USA
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Posted 10 Jun 2015 7:20 pm |
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I have had an old 1960's Vox guitar/Organ pedal with the built in shielded cords. It is a rare original gray bodied pedal with vox letters in white. I have owned it for 40 years. I used it a couple times and it began to hum and grew rather loud. so I quit using it and put it away. Now I am selling extras to pay for a new seat, a new pedal and a new Hudson guitar. Today I dug out the old Vox, noting that this same model sold for $269 out of a music store in Texas, I gave it a go and it hummed so loud I could hardly hear any volume out of the guitar.
Thankfully the pot is clean and quiet.
So I checked and refreshed all solder joints and cleaned the ground terminal. Still a very loud hum.
Puzzled, I tried the pedal with 6 of my guitars, all the same results. Tried different amps. Tried on and off carpet, and several other ideas others have had, to no avail.
Now if you remember getting or giving Indian burns to your best friend, I used that action all the way up and down the cable from the pedal to the guitar and presto!!! No hum...quiet as a mouse. The solder joints are great on the plugs. Any ideas why this worked anyone? I gripped and twisted enough so that the copper sheath was moving inside the cable covering.
Dick |
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Andy Eder
From:
North Florida, USA
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Posted 10 Jun 2015 8:37 pm
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Maybe the cord has a problem. Try changing cords and see what happens. The cure you found is probably temporary.
Best of luck,
Andy |
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Dick Chapple Sr
From:
Hardin Montana, USA
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Posted 10 Jun 2015 10:21 pm cords
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Hi Andy: Yes you are correct. That is all it can be at this point. The cords are the originals, and have probably been stepped on, crushed under organs and furniture, pinched between objects, etc. Probably there is or are cracks in the rubber sheath protecting the inner core wire. and it is probable that the copper ground sheath came in contact and when I did the Indian burn on it, it separated their contact again. so yes cord replacement is in order.
What I am uncertain about now is if I would reduce it's vintage value by replacing the original cords.
I was amazed to see that these are so valuable.
What would be your thought on it Andy?
Dick |
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Andy Eder
From:
North Florida, USA
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Posted 11 Jun 2015 5:27 am
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Hi Dick,
Vintage value is always effected by originality. Re-touched solders are the first problem. I would either sell it as is or if you put a new cord on it, at least keep the old one and include it in the sale.
I am not familiar with the unit, but that applies to all real vintage stuff.
A refinished '50's Les Paul is devalued by close to 1/2 for example.
Best of luck to you,
Andy |
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Walter Bowden
From:
Wilmington, North Carolina, USA
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Posted 23 Jun 2015 7:13 am
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It's been my experience when working with older British/European pedals that the strands of copper wires inside the cable jacket can corrode and become brittle. Maybe that's why oxygen free copper is used today in high quality cables.
I would try replacing the entire length of the cable with new good quality cable and plugs myself. It can't hurt and may solve the problem. Best wishes, Walter
_________________
Emmons S10, p/p, Nashville 112, Zion 50 tele style guitar, Gibson LP Classic w/Vox AC30, Fender Deluxe De Ville and a Rawdon-Hall classical |
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Dick Chapple Sr
From:
Hardin Montana, USA
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Posted 23 Jun 2015 8:09 am copper strands
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Ahah Walter:
Thanks, that makes sense. After I did the Indian burn on the cords, the pedal works absolutely quiet as a mouse, no hum period. And the pot is clear of any scratchiness.
This particular pedal seems to be fairly valuable, noting what this model has sold for in the past.
Thanks
Dick |
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Walter Bowden
From:
Wilmington, North Carolina, USA
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Posted 23 Jun 2015 5:57 pm
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I agree with Andy about keeping original parts if you replace them. If you want the pedal to be usable to others who are looking for that specific pedal, some refurbing is necessary to make it fully functional.
If it is an original VOX Continental organ volume pedal it could be with some $$$. You didn't say what type of pedal and pics are good too.
I remember a lot of Italian organs like Farfisa, Elka, VOX, et. al. used special volume pedals unlike Fender or DeArmond volume pedals and they were not interchangeable.
Best, Walter
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Emmons S10, p/p, Nashville 112, Zion 50 tele style guitar, Gibson LP Classic w/Vox AC30, Fender Deluxe De Ville and a Rawdon-Hall classical |
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Dick Chapple Sr
From:
Hardin Montana, USA
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Posted 23 Jun 2015 6:34 pm vox
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Walter it is an original Organ/Guitar vol pedal in the Gray Hammerstone finish with the white Vox lettering on the front and direct wired cords.
This exact model has sold for $260 this past month.
It really is in good condition considering not being used for at least 40 years of its existence. It is fully functional.
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