My Fishman Aura Spectrum DI won't take power from 9v adapter or battery, only USB

Croz2013 · #1 05-01-2013, 07:44 PM

Hi, this is my first post here and I'm sorry that it is a request for help rather than an offer of some experience or wisdom! I hope that I can stick around and contribute.

Here's the unit description at Musician's Friend.

My title sums it up. All of a sudden the pedal stopped working when plugged in via the 9v adapter or using a 9v battery (I tried a few) but when I connect it to my computer via USB (that it usually only uses to transfer/save sound images, but can obviously also power it) I can use it normally.

This happened at once, as I said (a little over a year after purchase, naturally), and after normal home use: no gigging, no dropping/violence or liquid incidents, etc. It just stopped taking power from those two sources but works with USB connected either to my computer or a plug like the ones that come with Apple laptops.

I guess my question(s) are: would this kind of problem be a simple repair? Should I take it to a "specialist" ie. a pedals/musical electronics tech or would a general small-electronics repair person be able to fix it? And of course, how much would be a reasonable rate for such a repair if that can be knowable.

donh · #2 05-02-2013, 12:27 AM

The repair should (oh-my! that *should* word!) be straightforward, but that can quite often have very little to do with 'simple'.

Any repair-person who is not a hack can sort out the circuit and the bit that broke, and the time from there is all dependent upon the layout of the interior of the unit and how friendly the design is to being repaired.

A reasonable guess is $50 to $100, but if you walked in my front door I'd not guess until I'd looked inside.

.

Croz2013 · #3 05-02-2013, 05:08 AM

Thanks for your reply! Well, at least I've got juice until I can afford to have it looked at.

Side Man · #4 05-02-2013, 06:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Croz2013

Thanks for your reply! Well, at least I've got juice until I can afford to have it looked at.

Did you call Fishman to see if you could return it and have them fix it for you? Might possibly be a warranty / no charge situation...

Croz2013 · #5 05-02-2013, 08:49 AM

It was just out of warranty and if I hadn't bought it internationally (ordered online, shipped to Canada from the US) there might have been a chance, but no luck there. Even with in-warranty items you can't send them back to the US from outside the country for repairs (unless you have a mailing address to send/return the item via in the US). In the case of Canada they have a "representative" somewhere near Toronto for who I could barely find any information. The more you know... If I had read the not-so-fine print right there on the Fishman site I might have paid more money and bought it locally.

Carbonius · #6 05-02-2013, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Croz2013

It was just out of warranty and if I hadn't bought it internationally (ordered online, shipped to Canada from the US) there might have been a chance, but no luck there. Even with in-warranty items you can't send them back to the US from outside the country for repairs (unless you have a mailing address to send/return the item via in the US). In the case of Canada they have a "representative" somewhere near Toronto for who I could barely find any information. The more you know... If I had read the not-so-fine print right there on the Fishman site I might have paid more money and bought it locally.

I would still email Fishman. They are very responsive and helpful. They have been known to go above and beyond the call of duty at times. If nothing else, they can probably tell you EXACTLY what needs to be done, they may even have a schematic for you.

Croz2013 · #7 05-02-2013, 10:42 AM

My first experience with customer support was quite the opposite: the guy said, "We cant help you because you ordered from Canada. Here's the name of our Canadian representative [just the name of the company, mind you, no email, phone, website, contact, etc.] but it's out of warranty so basically you are out of luck." Maybe the guy was having a bad day. I'll try again. Thanks for the suggestion.

El Conquistador · #8 05-02-2013, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Croz2013

My first experience with customer support was quite the opposite: the guy said, "We cant help you because you ordered from Canada. Here's the name of our Canadian representative [just the name of the company, mind you, no email, phone, website, contact, etc.] but it's out of warranty so basically you are out of luck." Maybe the guy was having a bad day. I'll try again. Thanks for the suggestion.

That is the exact opposite of any contact I have had with Fishman customer support. They once sent me a replacement bag for my SoloAmp KNOWING that I had purchased it used!

Steve

gbsn68335 · #9 02-27-2018, 12:50 PM

has been working fine up until 2 weeks ago. As I went to try different images from both the 16 rotator knob as well as the slide selector switch there was no difference in any sounds. It is not in the bypass mode as all other functions, blend, eg compressor all are working ok. What may have caused this? Is there something I can do or do I have to send it back to Fishman?

Croz2013 · #10 02-27-2018, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Aura Spectrum D I Images don't change
has been working fine up until 2 weeks ago. As I went to try different images from both the 16 rotator knob as well as the slide selector switch there was no difference in any sounds. It is not in the bypass mode as all other functions, blend, eg compressor all are working ok. What may have caused this? Is there something I can do or do I have to send it back to Fishman?

gbsn68335
Your question is not connected to my question in any way. I suggest you create a new topic. Good luck!

BT55 · #11 02-27-2018, 08:28 PM

Personally I'd send it back to Fishman. They have the parts and expertize to fix it right.

Croz2013 · #12 02-28-2018, 06:58 AM

If your response it to me, BT55, thanks for the suggestion. But this is an ancient thread.

I long ago sold the unit to somebody who was happy to just use it with USB power and I have since purchased a new one that, thankfully, has not broken on me.

Given that this thread got bumped by the off-topic post I will use the opportunity to encourage people who order Fishman products from outside the US to tread carefully re. warranty as I wrote about in my older posts above. If you have problems and require repairs you might be in for an expensive experience. It might be better to try to by locally.

Tommy_G · #13 03-01-2018, 02:37 PM

Have you taken a screwdriver and opened it up?

I had a pedal where this happened and it was a simple matter of reattaching a loose component or gapping a failed circuit board with some solder. 5 minute job.. Mostly waiting for the iron to heat up.

MarkF_48 · #14 03-02-2018, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tommy_G

Have you taken a screwdriver and opened it up?

I had a pedal where this happened and it was a simple matter of reattaching a loose component or gapping a failed circuit board with some solder. 5 minute job.. Mostly waiting for the iron to heat up.

To which of the two different problems presented in this thread is this a 'fix' to?