maestro boomerang, how to use a modern 9V without modding the pedal

[joegagan]

maestro boomerangs were designed to use a 226 style battery for the first few years. most commonly found in cameras, they were expensive even in their day. 226s are no longer commonly available.

most early boomerangs have been modified to accept a modern 9 volt. if you happen to find an unmodified original, it is rare.


you can make your own clip and install a regular 9 volt as shown here:
(there were some other 60s effects from UK that also used a 226, same method applies)

[Mark Hammer]

So a 226 style had the contacts on opposite ends of the battery, like a C, D, or AA, but was the same overall dimensions?

[joegagan]

it was very close to a C cell in size. contacts on both ends.

[ch1naski]

I think the one i just bought has the plastic 226 holder in it, although it looks like it's corroded.. I could be wrong.
I'll look at it when I get home.

[joegagan]

the holders for the 226 were always metal.
one could use 1/2" diameter shrink wrap to reversibly wrap to the prongs to hold the modern 9v batt firm. not advisable to bend the stock holder in any way, they snap very easy.

btw, the original setup in the above video is still working perfect 14 months later, same battery.

[ch1naski]

you are correct, it is metal. and corroded to hell.
luckily, the factory schem is still inside the enclosure. I hooked up a 9 volt, and she works, altho just as i was afraid of.....scratchy original pot. dammit. joe, you have a tutorial on rebuilding them? where is that? youtube?

edit:

son of my mother! A little contact cleaner did it. That never has worked for me on ANY wah pot. knock on wood, hope it lasts.

[joegagan]

hope the fix lasts. if not, you essentially perform mini-surgery. you have to move the graphite piece outward on the track so it rides a virgin piece of track. reshaping of the graphite in the mounting area is required. you can also reshape the contact point to assist in this relocation.

a lot of the info was here with photos. when you see your stock graphite the pics will make sense.
http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=103069.0

[ch1naski]

that's the thread i was looking for i think...