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The Rickenbacker Forum » Archives - Rickenbacker Guitars Jan - July 2005 » Lightshow 331 Type 1 vs. Type 2 - Help? » Archive through May 27, 2005 « Previous Next »

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paul wilczynski (Jingle_jangle)
Senior Member
Username: Jingle_jangle

Post Number: 1994
Registered: 12-2004
Posted From: 63.193.9.8
Posted on Tuesday, May 10, 2005 - 02:02 pm:   Edit Post Print Post

Hmmm? Oh, sorry Peter, I was humming some McCartney thing or other...
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Peter McCormack (Admin)
Board Administrator
Username: Admin

Post Number: 3534
Registered: 04-2003
Posted From: 142.166.105.220
Posted on Tuesday, May 10, 2005 - 04:30 pm:   Edit Post Print Post

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Gary Clauson (Doctorwho)
Senior Member
Username: Doctorwho

Post Number: 1445
Registered: 06-2002
Posted From: 64.168.183.122
Posted on Tuesday, May 10, 2005 - 06:32 pm:   Edit Post Print Post

Jsm610, I just saw the additions to this thread. If you noticed, I have the earlier "Type 1" circuit in my 331LS, but I can try to help you sort things out.

I have one of the Craig Brody transformer boxes:

Craig Brody 331LS power supply

(Note: I had to find and send him the DIN plug, and when he sent the "finished" unit to me, it had no fuse in it! Other than those glitches, the unit works fine.)

I can open the case up, take a picture, and post it for comparison. We can also check the output voltage at the DIN plug (assuming you have a VOM) and see how they compare.
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John Minutaglio (Jsm610)
Senior Member
Username: Jsm610

Post Number: 172
Registered: 04-2004
Posted From: 66.135.163.170
Posted on Wednesday, May 11, 2005 - 02:05 am:   Edit Post Print Post

Hi Gary, Thanks for your offer of help - I'll take you up on it.

Some things I've noticed from your post:

I don't have a fuse at all on my transformer. Some pictures:

6

6

6

Note that the wires/plug look 100 years old. Do you know if Craig added the fuse to his? Do I have the original transformer?

Also, I wondered why you needed to send the plug? Isn't it a standard MIDI plug? Pictures of mine:

6

6

I also got some advice to try Radio Shack part #
273-1511 (a 12.6V 3A transformer for $10.49) as a replacement. I would certainly be interested in what transformer is in yours...

Thanks in advance!
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John Simmons (Leftybass)
Senior Member
Username: Leftybass

Post Number: 974
Registered: 04-2002
Posted From: 68.232.67.156
Posted on Wednesday, May 11, 2005 - 08:11 am:   Edit Post Print Post

John, they sure look like an 1816 bulb to me. Go by a Napa or Carquest store and see if it matches up to one of yours. I would stick with the aluminum or stainless base rather than the brass base bulbs, they have a brass or golden color to them...less chance of corroding...
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Howard Bishop (Ozover50)
Senior Member
Username: Ozover50

Post Number: 811
Registered: 01-2005
Posted From: 220.240.241.114
Posted on Thursday, May 12, 2005 - 09:20 pm:   Edit Post Print Post

It's a standard 5 pin DIN plug John, but there are a few different configurations of those just to confuse the issue!

That DIN socket looks in bad need of replacement also. Any idea how many of the 5 pins are actually being used? I've never been a fan of DIN stuff - it's OK if it's not going to take any rough stuff. Wonder if you could replace it with cannon (mike) connectors - much more robust.
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Gary Clauson (Doctorwho)
Senior Member
Username: Doctorwho

Post Number: 1455
Registered: 06-2002
Posted From: 66.229.61.99
Posted on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 06:38 am:   Edit Post Print Post

Only two pins are used (V+ and V-).

The fuse is meant to prevent the transformer from supplying excess voltage/current to the guitar's lights, if I remember the details correctly; this makes sense because the circuit in the guitar is "priceless", obviously, compared to a transformer.

I will try to open mine up and take some pictures in the next day or so.

I also have the DIN number of the plug somewhere ... I supplied one to Craig because he was unable to get them from his previous supplier for a reason I can't remember ...
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John Minutaglio (Jsm610)
Senior Member
Username: Jsm610

Post Number: 180
Registered: 04-2004
Posted From: 66.135.163.170
Posted on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 10:58 am:   Edit Post Print Post

Great, I'll look forward to what you find inside Gary. I think the general thinking is the Archer transformer in mine isn't original, so who knows if the voltage rating on it is what I should be using... I'm certainly going to want to put a fuse in there - so I'll be curious how it's wired.

I can't believe there isn't a schematic out there somewhere for these 331's - I've certainly looked. I'd also be interested in any info on what kind of 'book' came with the guitar - does anyone know?
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Kenny Howes (Kennyhowes)
Senior Member
Username: Kennyhowes

Post Number: 760
Registered: 04-2002
Posted From: 64.105.135.123
Posted on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 03:07 pm:   Edit Post Print Post

Coming in late...

No owner's book for the 331 that I've heard of.

Can't say 100%, but I don't think that either your box or the Din plug setup is stock. The plug doesn't look a thing like any other 331 I've seen.

Going back to review the rest of the thread and see if there's anything else I can add...
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Graham Griffiths (8mileshigh)
Senior Member
Username: 8mileshigh

Post Number: 302
Registered: 11-2003
Posted From: 82.163.138.230
Posted on Friday, May 27, 2005 - 09:11 am:   Edit Post Print Post

I just picked up a series 1 lightshow - looking different again to Gary's and obviously John's. The transformer looks OLD with pat pending stamped on the casing. Original?? No fuse and a jack to mini jack goes from the transformer to the guitar. Original?? They certainly are a strange beast but are any two the same? ps as a guitar it plays really well and a great sound from the transition pick ups.