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Goran
Double Platinum Member
Sweden
2203 Posts |
 Posted - 08/07/2006 : 09:37:16
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I have a SP-1 were one or more of the electrolytes are bad, strange noises are emitting from it.
For the collector value is it wise to leave it as it is or replace the caps?
I have another fully functioning SP-1 by the way.
This is a problem that are coming for all older pedals for sure, sooner or later. Eletrolytics have a �life� for 15-20 years.
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bossarea
Forum Admin
United Kingdom
3652 Posts |
Posted - 08/07/2006 : 11:35:34
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I would think it's worth more in working condition. Capacitors haven't changed much over the last 30 years so it should be possible to replace it without making it too conspicious.
I have lots of older electronics equipment and have only once had an electrolyt failure. I think the 15-20 year lifetime is underestimated. I thing the average is more like 30-40 years while the odd one might dry up earlier. |
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Sunburst
Silver Member
427 Posts |
Posted - 08/07/2006 : 12:20:14
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To repair or not...I agree that a working pedal is worth more than a broken one. Since electrolytes will dry up sooner or later, this is a something worth thinking about for the collector whether it affects value or not.
At some point in time most working vintage Boss pedals will have had one or a few eletrolytes replaced, and that should perhaps be considered like refretting a vintage guitar. Even vintage guitars dont lose value from a refret, in order to be able to keep servicing as an instrument.
More important and likely to affect a pedals value are modifications that involves changing chips or altering the sound of the pedal, making a modification. In the future what will be important is a good looking chassis, with original knobs, and where no important parts that will affect the sound have been changed on the inside. Original chips, pots, wiring, etc. Restoring a pedal by replacing electrolytes must be tolerated.
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Edited by - Sunburst on 08/07/2006 13:41:19 |
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Austen
Bronze Member
50 Posts |
Posted - 08/07/2006 : 14:02:00
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yes...
The life span of an electrolytic in a stompbox aplication is likely to be between 10/20 years DEPENDING ON USAGE.
Electrolytic caps form oxides on the plates internally when not used. Play your pedals people...every time you fire them up the caps reform.
Please note: the caps will most likely drift considerabley before they finally fail. Like driving classic cars..in time, no two pedals are likely to end up sounding the same.
Changing out the caps is coming up for ALL 70's/80's products...to keep them in "spec". |
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stahlhart
Platinum Member
1318 Posts |
Posted - 08/07/2006 : 14:41:24
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If you resolder on the board neatly, it shouldn't make a difference.
One thing that I've gotten into the habit of doing is cleaning up the excess flux both after the original part is removed and after it has been replaced. A cotton swab soaked in annhydrous alcohol works well for this (just be careful to "dab" more than wipe from side to side in order to prevent fibers from the swab from getting snagged on component lead ends and pulled free). If you're careful about taking care of the excess flux and soldering neatly, it will be difficult to spot the work having been done. In the U.S. at least, Radio Shack sells a bottle of "professional" tape head cleaner that works nicely for this.
Note also that electrolytics have gotten smaller in size for the same DC working voltage rating over the past few decades, so for the sake of keeping the appearance original -- if you're concerned about that -- you can go up in WVDC value to keep the physical dimensions of the replacement capacitor more consistent with the original, and it will have no effect on circuit operation (typically WVDC ratings are several times that of battery voltage anyway).
Be careful to also observe correct polarity when replacing them.
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boss freak
Gold Member
USA
663 Posts |
Posted - 08/08/2006 : 04:54:48
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Austen has already answered the question I was about to ask, regarding pedals that are in regular use versus pedals that sit around in a storage container and their respective electrolytic cap life.
My comment will therefore be in regards to the original topic.
I think the general consensus is that a "restored" pedal is worth more, and has a better chance of being re-sold than one that's not working at all or making strange sounds. I feel that as long as the components are replaced with the correct (ie: stock) value, it's perfectly okay to resell the item as "original", as long as the buyer makes a point of explaining that the components have been replaced with said "stock values". |
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stahlhart
Platinum Member
1318 Posts |
Posted - 08/08/2006 : 05:47:29
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The practice of replacing deteriorated/deteriorating capacitors in older amateur radio equipment and tube audiophile gear has been going on for years now, and it has no significant negative effect on asking prices -- people interested in these things have already accepted that this is proper restoration maintenance, because they fully intend on using these things and having them operate to their fullest potential.
This is going to have to happen for older musical equipment, too, whether the owners of said equipment like it or not, really. Unless you have no intention of ever actually using the equipment, and it's just going to sit in a glass case in a museum somewhere and never have power applied to it ever again.
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Bad caps in SP-1
