Post by audiodrome on Oct 3, 2009 10:24:49 GMT -5
I bought a 1966/1967 Farfisa Mini-Compact Deluxe on eBay back in 2001 for $200. When I got it home and plugged it in everything worked fine - all the keys, the voice tabs, and the knee lever. After using it for a few years I then "retired" it to a corner of my studio for the last six years.
Last week after our studio closed its doors I brought the organ home and plugged it in to make sure that it was still working properly. Everything still works fine - all the keys, the voice tabs, and the knee lever. The only thing that doesn't work is the vibrato section. When I switched it on there was no difference in sound at all.
I haven't used this organ in about 5 years. Is there some setting I'm forgetting or something I'm doing wrong? I've taken good care of it over the years (it's been stored indoors) so I can't figure what could have happened to it. Would this be an easy thing to fix? I would hate to have to track down an organ repairman. I don't think there are too many left in this area. Any help would be greatly appreciated as the vibrato feature is one that I use very often. I've taken very good care of this organ over the years (it's been stored indoors) so it could just be the result of normal aging. This organ is one of the earlier models with the fewer voice tabs (see photos below) so I'm hoping that it might be easier to repair.
I just got an e-mail response from Billy Zoom from the band "X" (it turns that he's a combo organ enthusiast and repairman). He mentioned that there's a trim pot on the vibrato card and to check that it hasn't turned completely green. Also, he said that there are switch contacts that look like bronze wound guitar strings about half an inch long that get pushed against a staple and they can turn green too.
Where is the vibrato card? How do I know what I'm looking for? I can see the switch contacts which look like guitar strings. The two wires sticking up move back and forth in a little "cup" thing when you depress the buttons, but they look OK to me. I was told to try spraying electronics cleaner into the wells (see picture below) where the contacts are. Also, can I access the vibrato card from the top of the organ or do I need to take something else apart underneath? Do I need to remove something else to get at the trim pot? I've never taken this apart before.
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One last thing - I was also told to do a test to see what might be wrong: When you first fire up the little beast from cold, flip on the vibrato switch while holding down a few notes. If you get nothing, then Mr. Zoom is probably right--you've got some bad contacts somewhere that might simply need some cleaning. On the other hand, if, when you flip that switch, you get a slight pitch-bend on the notes, or vibrato for a few seconds, then nothing, then it's something more serious, like something in the vibrato circuits have gone south.
Well, After powering it up, I flipped the switch and I did hear the sound "twist" a little bit but then nothing. The next time I turned it off and on there was no change in the sound.
Sorry for being so long-winded but hopefully more info will be more helpful - THANKS!
Paul Carr
Last week after our studio closed its doors I brought the organ home and plugged it in to make sure that it was still working properly. Everything still works fine - all the keys, the voice tabs, and the knee lever. The only thing that doesn't work is the vibrato section. When I switched it on there was no difference in sound at all.
I haven't used this organ in about 5 years. Is there some setting I'm forgetting or something I'm doing wrong? I've taken good care of it over the years (it's been stored indoors) so I can't figure what could have happened to it. Would this be an easy thing to fix? I would hate to have to track down an organ repairman. I don't think there are too many left in this area. Any help would be greatly appreciated as the vibrato feature is one that I use very often. I've taken very good care of this organ over the years (it's been stored indoors) so it could just be the result of normal aging. This organ is one of the earlier models with the fewer voice tabs (see photos below) so I'm hoping that it might be easier to repair.
I just got an e-mail response from Billy Zoom from the band "X" (it turns that he's a combo organ enthusiast and repairman). He mentioned that there's a trim pot on the vibrato card and to check that it hasn't turned completely green. Also, he said that there are switch contacts that look like bronze wound guitar strings about half an inch long that get pushed against a staple and they can turn green too.
Where is the vibrato card? How do I know what I'm looking for? I can see the switch contacts which look like guitar strings. The two wires sticking up move back and forth in a little "cup" thing when you depress the buttons, but they look OK to me. I was told to try spraying electronics cleaner into the wells (see picture below) where the contacts are. Also, can I access the vibrato card from the top of the organ or do I need to take something else apart underneath? Do I need to remove something else to get at the trim pot? I've never taken this apart before.
[/img]
One last thing - I was also told to do a test to see what might be wrong: When you first fire up the little beast from cold, flip on the vibrato switch while holding down a few notes. If you get nothing, then Mr. Zoom is probably right--you've got some bad contacts somewhere that might simply need some cleaning. On the other hand, if, when you flip that switch, you get a slight pitch-bend on the notes, or vibrato for a few seconds, then nothing, then it's something more serious, like something in the vibrato circuits have gone south.
Well, After powering it up, I flipped the switch and I did hear the sound "twist" a little bit but then nothing. The next time I turned it off and on there was no change in the sound.
Sorry for being so long-winded but hopefully more info will be more helpful - THANKS!
Paul Carr
