ADA Depot - A Forum To Support Users of ADA Amplification Gear

Let's Get Technical => All PREAMP Tech Tips & Support => Topic started by: DannyjoeCarter on December 27, 2016, 02:16:13 PM

Title: A little advice needed from you Folks on a repair issue - already!
Post by: DannyjoeCarter on December 27, 2016, 02:16:13 PM
OK - I bought two ADA MP-1s last week. The first one arrived very poorly packed and I heard things rattling around and the tinkling sound of glass!! I refused the UPS order and sent it back to it's owner and will be getting full refund. Fine  :(

 Now the second came today in VERY clean condition cosmetically, however the unit has a very loud open ground sound and the gain is almost nothing, more like a subtle overdrive or boost. This is happening either in the front or rear inputs and I have tested it on the different power amps and in the fx returns of two different amps - all working in perfect order.
I'm hoping to get this unit fix because of how clean the unit is and the lady I bought it from it seems very cool.

 Does anyone have any suggestions as to what this might be? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.  :) 
Title: Re: A little advice needed from you Folks on a repair issue - already!
Post by: Kim on December 27, 2016, 03:51:09 PM
There's always going to be a "first place to start" when troubleshooting anything.  :)
With the MP-1, the first place to start is the tubes; swap in another pair that's known to be good and see what happens.  I can tell you that back in the day I personally "fixed" half a dozen or more MP-1s that I bought as "broken" by just changing the tubes.   :crazy:

Now, if you don't happen to have another pair of tubes lying about, shame on you.   :P It's considered to be a Rite of Passage to MP-1 Ownership to have a few extra pairs of different brands to experiment with!   ;)

Ok, if you don't have extra tubes, then tell us if the problem persists with just the 2 Tube Voicings or across all 3 Voicings. (S.S. Clean, Tube Clean, Tube Dist.)   
Title: Re: A little advice needed from you Folks on a repair issue - already!
Post by: DannyjoeCarter on December 27, 2016, 06:55:47 PM
Thank you for the reply Kim!

 Yes it had generic no name tubes in it and I put a pair of JJs in it - got tons of tubes, EL34s, 6L6s ECC 83s 12AX7 etc.  ;D
No change at all. Weak gain and input and loud ground hum.

 Now SS and clean seem to be much less buzz but still buzzing. By the way I told by the former owner to make sure the selector switch was in line or instrument ( I remembered that from the old days ) but  have discovered that the 2.01 no longer had that feature.

 Also I tested the rear input ( 1.38 version didn't have instrument level, I'm learning fast here   ;D ) and problem still exists.
Also no error messages come on on power up.

Any other suggestions? Thank you by the way  :)
Title: Re: A little advice needed from you Folks on a repair issue - already!
Post by: rnolan on December 28, 2016, 01:59:09 AM
Could be input jack  :dunno: (give them a good clean with decent contact cleaner), MJMP will no doubt suggest you check a few things and help you get it sorted.  Shame you had to send the other one back.  Although tinkling glass is not good  :facepalm: , but hey it might have just been a broken tube ??

Careful how you think about the different versions.  v2.01 was a firmware (EPROM) update.  The basic units also came in different (hardware) versions eg v1 with top switch etc.  You can put a v2.01 EPROM into an v1 but it's still a v1 so the EPROM version (eg 1.38, 2.00, 2.01) doesn't necessarily tell you what hardware version it is.

Also (as posted previously) the top switch on the v1 MP1s changes the main outputs from line to inst level, it has nothing to do with the rear (or front) inputs. It just affects the main out level for plugging it into a power amp (line level) or guitar amp (inst level).
Title: Re: A little advice needed from you Folks on a repair issue - already!
Post by: vansinn on December 28, 2016, 06:16:25 AM
Just did a brief essay on Fixing-up any old gear (http://adadepot.com/index.php?topic=1711.msg18178#msg18178)
Title: Re: A little advice needed from you Folks on a repair issue - already!
Post by: DannyjoeCarter on December 28, 2016, 05:58:54 PM
Yeah I was bummed that BOTH units have been returned. The first one would have a nightmare filing a claim and just not worth it, IMHO. UPS doesn't generally deal with things too quickly and thinking that if it hit hard enough to break a tube or tubes and kn owing a second one was on the way I simply refused the delivery.

 As for the second, I shipped it back today - I just want a working unit not a "buy as is - needs work" model. I'm so excited to get back into my original sound so I'm being a little picky. When buying and the description says "Like New" and "Perfect working order" but doesn't turn out that way, well I'll get the right one.

 And rnolan thanks always for the advice; perhaps I am making an assumption that if I pop the hood and don't see the line/instrument slider switch it's a 2.01 or later model - could that still be a 1.38 version? Sorry for all the questions I'm just trying to catch up on all this stuff  :)

Thanks to everyone for the advice and help, you too van sinn!
Title: Re: A little advice needed from you Folks on a repair issue - already!
Post by: Kim on December 28, 2016, 06:38:17 PM
......perhaps I am making an assumption that if I pop the hood and don't see the line/instrument slider switch it's a 2.01 or later model - could that still be a 1.38 version?


I'm aware of four versions of two Levels (1.37  1.38  2.00  2.01). 
According to the Manual:
When you power up your MP-1, the display indicates which level of software is installed. On power-up, "ADA" is displayed first, followed by a 3 digit number. The first of these digits is the level of software installed. 

Level 1 software offers the following features: 100% compatibility with MIDI Spec 1.0. In addition, ADA has pioneered a phantom power system which sends AC power through a 7-pin MIDI cable to controllers such as ADA's MC-1 MIDI CONTROLLER.

Level 2 software offers upload and download of MP-1 parameters to computers with a MIDI interface using system exclusive messages. In addition, MP-I parameters may be accessed in real-time using SYSEXmessages.

Level 3 software will read MIDI Time Code for synchronizing with SMPTE Time Code devices. and will be able to store a Q-LIST of MTC program and parameter changes. These are the updates that we now know about. As MIDI evolves, so will the M P-1 , its capabilities will continue to expand!


I don't think the MP-1 development ever made it to Level 3 software though. The highest I've seen was 2.01...   :dunno:
The Level Switch was omitted from the v2.xx units but that was actually a design/hardware revision and not a software revision; the Level software eprom is interchangeable between both versions, so you could see 2.01 on the startup screen regardless of whether there's a Level Switch under the hood or not..
Title: Re: A little advice needed from you Folks on a repair issue - already!
Post by: MarshallJMP on December 28, 2016, 10:32:59 PM
does the front input jack look like a "black box"?
Title: Re: A little advice needed from you Folks on a repair issue - already!
Post by: DannyjoeCarter on December 28, 2016, 11:46:16 PM
OK really good info Kim!  :)

 And MarshallJMP, no there was a Switch craft style stereo jack in the input of the one I just returned. All the 1.38s I used to have had the black box input jack you are referring to. I believe the Switch craft style became the norm in the later models correct?
Title: Re: A little advice needed from you Folks on a repair issue - already!
Post by: MarshallJMP on December 29, 2016, 01:42:30 PM
Yes the switchcraft was used on the V2.xx mp-1's.And these also had the instrument level rear input.
Title: Re: A little advice needed from you Folks on a repair issue - already!
Post by: DannyjoeCarter on December 29, 2016, 02:08:03 PM
OK great - thanks as always Folks for the info!
I'm presently on Ebay right now as well as Reverb and am buying two more MP-1s - BOTH 2.01 versions!!
You guys have convinced me, for my own piece of mind the 2.01s are the way to go for me, especially how I want and need them to run - YOU ROCK!!  :banana:
Title: Re: A little advice needed from you Folks on a repair issue - already!
Post by: rnolan on December 29, 2016, 08:31:49 PM
 :whoohoo!: , hope these work out  :thumb-up:
Title: Re: A little advice needed from you Folks on a repair issue - already!
Post by: DannyjoeCarter on December 30, 2016, 02:31:04 AM
I think things should be fine now - hopefully!

I bought two more today, one from Reverb and one from Ebay. Both were 2.01s which is what I'm gonna stick with. Plus there's another one that seems to have a little rust on some of the screws and looks a little hammered but the sellers claims it works and sounds great so I may snag it for purely backup or parts.
 That seems to be the best way to go seeing how none of the ADA stuff is being made any longer  :(
Title: Re: A little advice needed from you Folks on a repair issue - already!
Post by: rnolan on December 31, 2016, 02:28:39 AM
That's why I bought 3 more MP2s, well one for the studio rig but 2 for spares.  Fortuitously they all work well (for now).
Title: Re: A little advice needed from you Folks on a repair issue - already!
Post by: MarshallJMP on December 31, 2016, 01:02:43 PM
For the mp-1 I have all the parts (even the obsolete ones) , the one thing I don't have are new face plates. So you're covered  ;D
Title: Re: A little advice needed from you Folks on a repair issue - already!
Post by: DannyjoeCarter on December 31, 2016, 02:16:33 PM
For the mp-1 I have all the parts (even the obsolete ones) , the one thing I don't have are new face plates. So you're covered  ;D

 OK sounds good - and this is the main reason I joined this forum; we can all help each other out!  :banana:
Title: Re: A little advice needed from you Folks on a repair issue - already!
Post by: rnolan on December 31, 2016, 08:23:57 PM
What, you didn't join because of our good looks ?? LoL  :wave: , hey good to have you on board  :thumb-up:
Title: Re: A little advice needed from you Folks on a repair issue - already!
Post by: DannyjoeCarter on December 31, 2016, 11:56:52 PM
What, you didn't join because of our good looks ?? LoL  :wave: , hey good to have you on board  :thumb-up:

 I'm certain you are all handsome gentleman and Kim is a lovely lady - I feel this about all of you  ;D
However the wealth of knowledge on here is why I actually got back into the ADA MP-1s and am buying them.  :headbanger:
Had I not found this forum I would have never bought another MP-1 because no one here in Las Vegas has schematics or will or can service them! And this is supposed to be the "Entertainment Capital Of The World"!

 So all of you pat yourselves on the back for being awesome and so smart!!!!  :whoohoo!:
Title: Re: A little advice needed from you Folks on a repair issue - already!
Post by: Harley Hexxe on January 01, 2017, 12:48:03 AM
Psst!  Kim's a guy :lol:
Title: Re: A little advice needed from you Folks on a repair issue - already!
Post by: DannyjoeCarter on January 01, 2017, 02:06:44 AM
Ooopps!!  :poop:
So very sorry Kim  :-[ - But now I know Sir!  :facepalm:
Title: Re: A little advice needed from you Folks on a repair issue - already!
Post by: Harley Hexxe on January 01, 2017, 03:51:35 AM
 :lol:
Title: Re: A little advice needed from you Folks on a repair issue - already!
Post by: rnolan on January 01, 2017, 05:06:02 AM
Hey DjC, we all bring what we can to the table  :wave: . And try to keep these great preamps alive and working  :thumb-up: and doing what they were intended for, bringing guitar joy to all (who like guitar)  :banana:
Title: Re: A little advice needed from you Folks on a repair issue - already!
Post by: Harley Hexxe on January 01, 2017, 07:07:55 AM
Hey DjC, we all bring what we can to the table  :wave: . And try to keep these great preamps alive and working  :thumb-up: and doing what they were intended for, bringing guitar joy to all (who like guitar)  :banana:

   ....and all who like what ADA does for a guitar :banana-guitar:
Title: Re: A little advice needed from you Folks on a repair issue - already!
Post by: DannyjoeCarter on January 01, 2017, 01:49:35 PM
Hey DjC, we all bring what we can to the table  :wave: . And try to keep these great preamps alive and working  :thumb-up: and doing what they were intended for, bringing guitar joy to all (who like guitar)  :banana:

   ....and all who like what ADA does for a guitar :banana-guitar:

 Yep and the ADA changed world of guitar for sure!!


Hey one question  - Was it Todd Langner that created the MP-1?
Title: Re: A little advice needed from you Folks on a repair issue - already!
Post by: Harley Hexxe on January 01, 2017, 06:05:47 PM
Hey Dan,

    Todd had a hand in the development of it, I'm sure, but it was a team of people led by Dave Tarnowski. Todd did take the MP-1 and came up with the idea of the 3TM though.
Title: Re: A little advice needed from you Folks on a repair issue - already!
Post by: MarshallJMP on January 02, 2017, 10:06:19 AM
Yes Todd did work for ADA, designing and solving problem. I have a book from Todd when he worked for ADA were he write all kind of stuff in, like a tube board design for the mp-1 with, you guessed it 3 tubes, but it was way different from the 3TM board he later designed. It seems he also did a lot of repair work for ADA.
Title: Re: A little advice needed from you Folks on a repair issue - already!
Post by: DannyjoeCarter on January 02, 2017, 01:37:18 PM
OK I see so it wasn't just one guy that came up with, more of a joint effort by several great minds then.
Pretty amazing minds I will say! :o
Title: Re: A little advice needed from you Folks on a repair issue - already!
Post by: MarshallJMP on January 02, 2017, 01:50:28 PM
Yes guys like Kent and Lynkx and some other guys.
Title: Re: A little advice needed from you Folks on a repair issue - already!
Post by: Iperfungus on January 06, 2017, 05:00:38 PM
For the mp-1 I have all the parts (even the obsolete ones) , the one thing I don't have are new face plates. So you're covered  ;D


Very, very, very good to know...  :bow:
Title: Re: A little advice needed from you Folks on a repair issue - already!
Post by: Kim on January 06, 2017, 05:20:48 PM
I'm certain you are all handsome gentleman and Kim is a lovely lady - I feel this about all of you  ;D
Psst!  Kim's a guy :lol:
Ooopps!!  :poop:
So very sorry Kim  :-[ - But now I know Sir!  :facepalm:

Dammit Harley, a compliment is still a compliment.  Stop trying to take those away from people!  ;)
LOL  No worries DJC happens alot and does not bother me in the least.  If it did, I would've legally changed my name to either Rachel, Jennifer, or Wendy loooong ago.  ;)

Glad you're here, and happy to help.  :wave:
Title: Re: A little advice needed from you Folks on a repair issue - already!
Post by: Harley Hexxe on February 15, 2017, 07:14:50 AM
Sorry about that Kim, just post a selfie of you in a dress, and I'll keep quiet about it.