#1
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Sticky Zoom H5
I’ve not used my Zoom H5 in a few months and pulled it out last night to record something. I noticed the entire outer rubberized housing now has a sticky feel to it. Thinking something had gotten on it, I tried to clean it with simply a damp paper towel (a bit of water) and it got worse!
If I can’t resolve this, the unit is practically useless to me as it’s not pleasant at all to handle in its current condition. I’ve seen this happen before on old components that have a similar outer housing but this unit is only a few years old and certainly Zoom would not intend for that happen if they want to keep customers. Anyone had their Zoom units experience a similar issue?
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Doerr Trinity 12 Fret 00 (Lutz/Maple) Edwinson Zephyr 13 Fret 00 (Adi/Coco) Froggy Bottom H-12 (Adi/EIR) Kostal 12 Fret OMC (German Spruce/Koa) Rainsong APSE 12 Fret (Carbon Fiber) Taylor 812ce-N 12 fret (Sitka/EIR Nylon) |
#2
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I searched online and apparently a common issue. I saw one forum where AGF’er Fran Guidry had a similar issue and Zoom replaced his unit and several other folks reached out to Zoom with same result so I have done the same. Stay tuned.
FWIW, several folks did have some success but their solutions did not sound long term. Several suggested talcum powder, a couple had success with isopropyl alcohol, and one had success with Pledge. Seems like those may be short term solutions and the issue will come back.
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Doerr Trinity 12 Fret 00 (Lutz/Maple) Edwinson Zephyr 13 Fret 00 (Adi/Coco) Froggy Bottom H-12 (Adi/EIR) Kostal 12 Fret OMC (German Spruce/Koa) Rainsong APSE 12 Fret (Carbon Fiber) Taylor 812ce-N 12 fret (Sitka/EIR Nylon) |
#3
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Contacted Zoom via their website and got an answer within 2 hours. They will replace the unit free of charge.
That’s what I call outstanding customer service.
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Doerr Trinity 12 Fret 00 (Lutz/Maple) Edwinson Zephyr 13 Fret 00 (Adi/Coco) Froggy Bottom H-12 (Adi/EIR) Kostal 12 Fret OMC (German Spruce/Koa) Rainsong APSE 12 Fret (Carbon Fiber) Taylor 812ce-N 12 fret (Sitka/EIR Nylon) |
#4
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What the heck? Does the Zoom H6 use this same rubberized housing too?
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12 Fret, Slotted Headstock, 1-7/8" Nut Width Fanatic |
#5
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Yeah, it's a problem with the H6, and mine got that way about 5 years in. Wish I'd contacted Zoom about it, but I was selling it anyway. Everything else worked flawlessly, and the various "fixes" really didn't "stick" so to speak. I didn't handle it much, as it was usually mounted on a small desktop tripod, but it was a little annoying.
I wonder if they've changed the material in the newly manufactured ones?
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"I know in the morning that it's gonna be good, when I stick out my elbows and they don't bump wood." - Bill Kirchen |
#6
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For their own sake's I really hope so, I'd imagine having to replace all the sticky ones for customers Is taking quite a hefty toll on their income
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12 Fret, Slotted Headstock, 1-7/8" Nut Width Fanatic |
#7
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Quote:
Given people's propensity to post issues, and having never seen this issue before and given the H5 H6 have been with us a long time, I doubt it's one of those major deal breaker issues. Especially since Zoom is apparently prepared to stand behind their products and replace defective ones. |
#8
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Quote:
BTW, Zoom calls the sticky condition “hydrolysis”.
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Doerr Trinity 12 Fret 00 (Lutz/Maple) Edwinson Zephyr 13 Fret 00 (Adi/Coco) Froggy Bottom H-12 (Adi/EIR) Kostal 12 Fret OMC (German Spruce/Koa) Rainsong APSE 12 Fret (Carbon Fiber) Taylor 812ce-N 12 fret (Sitka/EIR Nylon) |
#9
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My H5 is not quite 2 years old. Does this happen to all of them?
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Barry My SoundCloud page Avalon L-320C, Guild D-120, Martin D-16GT, McIlroy A20, Pellerin SJ CW Cordobas - C5, Fusion 12 Orchestra, C12, Stage Traditional Alvarez AP66SB, Seagull Folk Aria {Johann Logy}: |
#10
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This sort of thing usually happens to any rubber material over time. The best way to postpone this process is to keep it in a well ventilated place(the case doesn't help either). |
#11
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I don't think you were being a troublemaker. And, I'm glad you are having it replaced. My answer was in response to Lemon Cat's post not yours. |
#12
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The coating on the replacement unit seems a bit different from the original H6 coating, hopefully it will not have the sticky issue in the future.
Fran
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E ho`okani pila kakou ma Kaleponi Slack Key in California - www.kaleponi.com My YouTube clips The Homebrewed Music Blog |
#13
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Received my replacement H5 and the outer housing is no longer a hard rubber, it is now a dark grey plastic. Should never get sticky. Looks like Zoom has solved this problem and is standing behind any of the older units having the same issue mine and others had.
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Doerr Trinity 12 Fret 00 (Lutz/Maple) Edwinson Zephyr 13 Fret 00 (Adi/Coco) Froggy Bottom H-12 (Adi/EIR) Kostal 12 Fret OMC (German Spruce/Koa) Rainsong APSE 12 Fret (Carbon Fiber) Taylor 812ce-N 12 fret (Sitka/EIR Nylon) |
#14
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This hasn’t been my experience. I had three Hercules guitar stands in a well ventilated area do this and a few other items with the same problem the latest was my umbrella handle. Not sure what exactly the rubberized material is but it is junk so far hasn’t happened to my Zoom. I do have older item that pre 2000 where this has not happened.
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