KORG ESX-1 - Loose Master Volume Knob - any solution ?
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KORG ESX-1 - Loose Master Volume Knob - any solution ?
Hello everyone !
Couple days ago i bought used Korg Electribe SX. Everything is in perfect order, except "Master Volume" knob. It's loose, and even if it's turn on maximum - Korg is playing very quiet, but when I "bend" it a little on right - it's start playing as supposed to. Every other knob are still and "solid" except this one. Is there any solution ? Or do I have to replace it ? If so - where can I find replacement parts ? Thank You very much !
Couple days ago i bought used Korg Electribe SX. Everything is in perfect order, except "Master Volume" knob. It's loose, and even if it's turn on maximum - Korg is playing very quiet, but when I "bend" it a little on right - it's start playing as supposed to. Every other knob are still and "solid" except this one. Is there any solution ? Or do I have to replace it ? If so - where can I find replacement parts ? Thank You very much !
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Re: KORG ESX-1 - Loose Master Volume Knob - any solution ?
I have this exact same problem. It starts to cut out the left channel when I turn it now as well.
It looks tricky to open the esx-1 up. Any tips?
It looks tricky to open the esx-1 up. Any tips?
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Re: KORG ESX-1 - Loose Master Volume Knob - any solution ?
well count me in , i have this problem for 5 years and I have been too lazy to fix it.
If I remember correct the volume pot is a dual 10KB pot , so the part number should be
KORG pn :362X120002 VR R1111RGOA-V1B103FH00 10KBX2
If it is a dual 50kb ( use a multimeter to find out) then the part number should be
KORG pn :362X120003 VR R1111GOA-V1B503FH00 50KBX2
Opening the unit is very straightforward, only the display is a bit tricky.
watch out , lead free solder there, be careful when desoldering the pot or you can ruin the pcb.
If you happen to order spares, I would be delighted if you could sent me one
I hope this helps
If I remember correct the volume pot is a dual 10KB pot , so the part number should be
KORG pn :362X120002 VR R1111RGOA-V1B103FH00 10KBX2
If it is a dual 50kb ( use a multimeter to find out) then the part number should be
KORG pn :362X120003 VR R1111GOA-V1B503FH00 50KBX2
Opening the unit is very straightforward, only the display is a bit tricky.
watch out , lead free solder there, be careful when desoldering the pot or you can ruin the pcb.
If you happen to order spares, I would be delighted if you could sent me one

I hope this helps
Last edited by Yekuku on Fri May 02, 2014 10:27 am, edited 2 times in total.
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Re: KORG ESX-1 - Loose Master Volume Knob - any solution ?
Yekuku wrote:Opening the unit is very straightforward, only the display is a bit tricky.
watch out , lead free solder there, be careful when desoldering the pot or you can ruin the pcb.
If you happen to order spares, I would be delighted if you could sent me one
I hope this helps
Can you elaborate a bit on this. How do you get the second metal plate (after you've taken the red on off) over the screen? Seems like you can almost maneuver it, but I can't get it off. What are you referring to when you mention lead-free solder? If I get spares I'll let you know, no idea where to get them though.

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Re: KORG ESX-1 - Loose Master Volume Knob - any solution ?
Lead free solder takes higher temps to melt. If the potentiometer's contacts have broken free you can just re-solder it and be good to go.
- Yekuku
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Re: KORG ESX-1 - Loose Master Volume Knob - any solution ?
Assuming that you have removed all necessary screws, the plastic display cover should be the only thing holding the inner faceplate from the potentiometer pcb.
If I remember correctly 2 sided adhesive tape is used to hold the plastic cover in place but there is no need to remove it, just wiggle it a bit and you will be able to release the pcb from the faceplate. Sorry I dont have no special instructions, just wiggle and have patience.
Check for broken solder joints, if there are not any , then the pot could be broken internally.
About the the lead free solder I have mentioned previously, it is a bit hard to remove this type of solder. Watch out , if you heat it up too many times ,it will get stuck like cement. Heat it more and you will be lifting tracks off the pcb.
The volume pot has 7 legs, it is a bit tricky to desolder, I recommend cutting the legs of the pot and then try to remove it / replace it.

just call korg for for replacement part :
KORG pn :362X120002 VR R1111RGOA-V1B103FH00 10KBX2
If I remember correctly 2 sided adhesive tape is used to hold the plastic cover in place but there is no need to remove it, just wiggle it a bit and you will be able to release the pcb from the faceplate. Sorry I dont have no special instructions, just wiggle and have patience.
Check for broken solder joints, if there are not any , then the pot could be broken internally.
About the the lead free solder I have mentioned previously, it is a bit hard to remove this type of solder. Watch out , if you heat it up too many times ,it will get stuck like cement. Heat it more and you will be lifting tracks off the pcb.
The volume pot has 7 legs, it is a bit tricky to desolder, I recommend cutting the legs of the pot and then try to remove it / replace it.

just call korg for for replacement part :
KORG pn :362X120002 VR R1111RGOA-V1B103FH00 10KBX2
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Re: KORG ESX-1 - Loose Master Volume Knob - any solution ?
Thanks, makes sense. I would never have thought to pull the plastic off. It's stuck down really well!
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Re: KORG ESX-1 - Loose Master Volume Knob - any solution ?
Well it seems soldered in place fine; there's no movement in the legs. It's the middle shaft part that's wobbly.
I can see why you've put this off for 5 years.
If I do get replacements I'll get a few and send one your way.
I can see why you've put this off for 5 years.

If I do get replacements I'll get a few and send one your way.
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Re: KORG ESX-1 - Loose Master Volume Knob - any solution ?
hey thanks for your offer buddy 
it seems that we both have a wobbly shaft that prevents the wiper from making full contact with the carbon rails.
I have removed it / disassembled it and tried to repair it but i got no joy.
You 'd better replace it , good luck.

it seems that we both have a wobbly shaft that prevents the wiper from making full contact with the carbon rails.
I have removed it / disassembled it and tried to repair it but i got no joy.
You 'd better replace it , good luck.
It is all about sharing...
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KORG Monotron
KORG Triton
Peavey Fury 1992
Peavey KB-300
Peavey Milestone 1984
Roland JX-8P
Waldorf Micro Q
Yamaha KX5
Yamaha SY77
Re: KORG ESX-1 - Loose Master Volume Knob - any solution ?
People tweaking away on the volume knob, I'm telling you what.
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Re: KORG ESX-1 - Loose Master Volume Knob - any solution ?
I just opened my ESX1 and the volume master pot has 6 pins NOT 7

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Re: KORG ESX-1 - Loose Master Volume Knob - any solution ?
I opened my esx1 and the volume master pot has 6 pins not 7

Yekuku wrote:Assuming that you have removed all necessary screws, the plastic display cover should be the only thing holding the inner faceplate from the potentiometer pcb.
If I remember correctly 2 sided adhesive tape is used to hold the plastic cover in place but there is no need to remove it, just wiggle it a bit and you will be able to release the pcb from the faceplate. Sorry I dont have no special instructions, just wiggle and have patience.
Check for broken solder joints, if there are not any , then the pot could be broken internally.
About the the lead free solder I have mentioned previously, it is a bit hard to remove this type of solder. Watch out , if you heat it up too many times ,it will get stuck like cement. Heat it more and you will be lifting tracks off the pcb.
The volume pot has 7 legs, it is a bit tricky to desolder, I recommend cutting the legs of the pot and then try to remove it / replace it.
just call korg for for replacement part :
KORG pn :362X120002 VR R1111RGOA-V1B103FH00 10KBX2
- Yekuku
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Re: KORG ESX-1 - Loose Master Volume Knob - any solution ?
You are probably correct about the pins.gigidamico wrote:I opened my esx1 and the volume master pot has 6 pins not 7
The picture was taken from part is parts website, so I guess they had it wrong.
Part number is 362X120002, good luck finding one.
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Re: KORG ESX-1 - Loose Master Volume Knob - any solution ?
Heya guys, I bought a used esx1 and it looks like ive got the exact same problem as you guys. Loose shaft, soldered firmly and can't find a replacement Pot.
***Did you guys ever find a solution to your master volume knob?
All the websites have the potentiometer listed as out of production and cant find it anywhere at all.
waiting to hear back from korg and parts is parts.
Thanks!
***Did you guys ever find a solution to your master volume knob?
All the websites have the potentiometer listed as out of production and cant find it anywhere at all.
waiting to hear back from korg and parts is parts.
Thanks!