Broken Effects on Ebay?

[nascarbean_97]

Has anybody ever picked up something broken on ebay and fixed it? I see phase 90s pop up all the time, they seem to always break...
The question I'm trying to ask is, is debugging commercial made effects possible?

[haveyouseenhim]

It's usually really easy if its analog. Pedals break and the people that own them have no electronics knowledge so its usually an easy fix. I advertise pedal repair on craigslist so I can make $35 for changing one transistor.

[mth5044]

I've done it occasionally.

More often than not, it's people selling pedals 'as-is' because they put a battery in, yet the LED doesn't light up... no cable in the input jack  Although right now I'm totally stuck on a Morley Wah/Volume pedal that I can't get up and working.

You have a much better chance at fixing it if you can find the schematic.

[pinkjimiphoton]

i buy broken stuff on ebay all the time...got about a 98% success rate fixing them.
have gotten some very nice and unique pieces for my collection, and a bunch of crap i use as trading fodder.

sometimes there's absolutely nothing wrong beyond operator error.

don't be afraid to make offers on things, either...but always put possible offer, or you may get stuck.

there's a couple things on ebay i'm watching right now, including some "broken" rack gear.

pretty sure there's nothing wrong with it..

happy bidding bro

[Jdansti]

I bought a Sony HR-GP5 guitar processor (programmable multiFX with MIDI) on eBay that didn't work. They sold for $400+ in 1994 and still fetch $250-$400 for a working unit.  I bought this one for $50. I fixed it for under $10. The main thing it needed was a new CR2032 button battery which was soldered to the PCB. I replaced it with a battery holder and new battery so it would be easier next time. Anyway, I spent $60 for a really nice unit that would have cost a whole lot more. Just watch out for sellers with lousy ratings.

[Electron Tornado]

I've done this quite a bit. Some things I've kept, some I've sold. The money you can make reselling will usually be only enough to break even, let you buy some more parts, or give you some beer money.


Here's a couple of helpful hints:

1. Make sure you research any pedal, or amp, etc, you might want, before you bid. Make sure you can find a schematic and parts.

2. On that same note, make sure you're familiar with the cost of the item used, but in good working condition. Don't pay for something broken that you could have gotten in working condition for only a few dollars more.

3. Avoid sellers with lower ratings. You can check out their feedback as well.

4. Ask the seller questions about the item. This will save you from bidding on something that's not worth fixing.

5. If you're going to buy with the intent to repair and re-sell, make sure the pedal is something that people will want to buy.

[dean owens]

i bought an "untested" phase 90 off ebay.  got it and it didn't work... what a shock.  I opened it up to look for anything burnt or obviously broken.  Nothing.  I took it to a friends house who has a scope and signal generator.  Before doing that we found a diode that was bad (common in the phase 90).  Once hooking it up we tracked down a broken cap that you couldn't tell was broken until unsoldering it.  Simple fix for a cheap phase 90.

[deadastronaut]

i bought a 'for spares/repairs crybaby off ebay for £20.00 , (i just wanted the case)

i opened the package and to my surprise it had the sticker still on top, and the peel off tape on the bottom...

plugged it in..voila' it worked perfectly and was brand new, not even a scratch on it......result!!!!! ....strange seller eh? .