oneeye Messages: 3 Registered: January 2015 Location: United States
Junior Member
I have a KGA65. Everything worked fine. One day the effects, would not play. I have a Kustom footswitch.
That used to work ,very well.I tried running it without the footswitch. It still doesn't work.
The footswitch will change the channels but has no effect on the effects. I have tested both the cable.
and the switch with a meter. and they read fine. Disconnecting the footswitch,make no difference, to
any effects turning on. The buttons on the amp will switch channels. but the effects,will not come on.
It did this before,and fixed it's self for a while. I have unplugged it for a few days. Tried powering it up
with the effects switch in both positions. Foot switch in and out.Beginning to get irritated, because everything
else is just fine. I am a fairly decent technician. So Even complicated help is welcome.But simple is better.
Your amp has digital effects, probably on one chip. If the problem is intermittent, then I would look to see if any of the connectors on the FX board are loose, or if the front panel switch is working or if the footswitch jack is making good contact.
If you want to try mechanical troubleshooting, give the amp a good slap on the top with your hand and see if the FX come back. If they do, then you know that there is something loose inside that needs to be fixed.
You say that you are a good tech, so I will assume that you know how to work on an amp that is plugged into the wall and know how not to kill yourself trying to fix it.
stevem Messages: 4733 Registered: June 2004 Location: NY
Senior Member
Also note that though we at this site my be able to help you fix your issue ,this site does not have the schematics that you may need to do such, that must be had from the current owners of the Kustom brand, the ones that made your amp!
oneeye Messages: 3 Registered: January 2015 Location: United States
Junior Member
Thanks for the info. I have tried the switch on the amp without the footswitch plugged in
With the same result. The drop test, may be the next step. I used to work on, the big
satellite receivers. I would get one completely dead. By the time it was brought to my bench.
Many had recovered on their own. Intermittent problems are the worst. It is so much easier to
bad part and replace it. I was hoping this was a common problem. That experience could solve.
I have always tried to pick the brains of other techs. Because even a good tech,can't know
everything.Kicking in that footswitch and not getting the desired effect at the time.
Has really been a bad style breaker. I have other amps. But I have gotten so used to the
settings and sound of this one. I have been putting off changing.Everything else on the
thing is working. So it is hard to just abandon it. Again Thanks for the info. I you run
across anything else. Please pass it along !
oneeye Messages: 3 Registered: January 2015 Location: United States
Junior Member
Amazingly enough. When I bought this amp. A large schematic came with the
owners manual. Now if I can just find where I Put it. When I do. I will post it here.
May take a while to find it. But I know it's here !
stevem Messages: 4733 Registered: June 2004 Location: NY
Senior Member
With bad connections and or intermitants a blow dryer set on low and some cooler / freeze spray can be your best friend, but with the schematic at hand you should have no problem tracing the signal thru the amp!