Vintage Synth Explorer Forums

I just got the power transformer for an SH2 I bought of Ebay from japan.

It seems to function properly apart from 2 issues -

there is a slider that controls the extent of the pitch Osc modulation.

This slider basically has no effect apart from when it is almost at 10 - where it comes in full bore. So there are no subtle pitch variations possible...

Also the slider next to it - which control autobend - only seems to work up to 5 - then decreases its bending function from 5 to 10. Is this how its meant to work?

What are the options here? Might it be possible to clean - bearing in mind Im not too technical - but can find my way around simple equiptment....?

This auction was sold as 'perfect working order' - so Im not sure how to address this one...

Hi, I can answer the autobend question. No it should work the way you expected it to, ie the autobend goes from subtle to silly as you go from 1-10..there's no shift in polarity half way up (though that might be interesting). Likewise the modulation, it should be a smooth increase as you go up.

Alert: Half-Baked Ideas

1) A new power transformer from Japan? Isn't the the power cord attached to the SH-2? What is this transformer you refer to? Japan voltage is 100V, North America is 120V. Why buy a tranformer from there for our voltage? My sincere apologies, there is something I don't understand.

2) The sliders might be so dirty that the carbon track inside of it offers about no resistance. In such a case: must clean them or in more serious case, replace them.

To clean them, use especially formulated slider (or fader) cleaner - avoid like plague the Radio Shack cleaner (will generate more problems than it'll solve). The special cleaners can be found in specialized electronic stores. A bit expensive but they get the job done. I refer to Caig Deoxit or MGChemicals Nu-Trol Control Cleaner.

Maschinengeist wrote:Alert: Half-Baked Ideas

1) A new power transformer from Japan? Isn't the the power cord attached to the SH-2? What is this transformer you refer to? Japan voltage is 100V, North America is 120V. Why buy a tranformer from there for our voltage? My sincere apologies, there is something I don't understand.

2) The sliders might be so dirty that the carbon track inside of it offers about no resistance. In such a case: must clean them or in more serious case, replace them.

To clean them, use especially formulated slider (or fader) cleaner - avoid like plague the Radio Shack cleaner (will generate more problems than it'll solve). The special cleaners can be found in specialized electronic stores. A bit expensive but they get the job done. I refer to Caig Deoxit or MGChemicals Nu-Trol Control Cleaner.

Thanks dude - Im based in the UK where we have 240V mains power.

The sliders feel solid-and I have moved them a bit in the hope they will clean...However no joy. Is this a difficult task to clean them? Also can you give me a generic name for the type of cleaner needed as its unlikely we will have the same brands in the UK as the US...

thanks

hmmm, I'm in the UK and I don't know either but then I'm probably going to send mine in for cleaning at some point. You could ask some of the premium repair people, they might help. Richard L of RL music, Kent Spong or Lucid Sound. You could ask on Analog Heaven list.

chamomileshark wrote:hmmm, I'm in the UK and I don't know either but then I'm probably going to send mine in for cleaning at some point. You could ask some of the premium repair people, they might help. Richard L of RL music, Kent Spong or Lucid Sound. You could ask on Analog Heaven list.

The Ebay seller asked me to see if I could do it but said he would refund any tech costs....

I said I'd try but tbh I dont know much about this type of thing...Maybe I should just send it in...are any of those techs in London?

Anyone recommend a tech in London?

hi, unfortunately no. Lucid Sound is in Cornwall, Kent is I don't know where but he is a CS80 specialist. Richard is in Reading, I don't know if he does the tech work.

I don't know if Roland themselves are still in London. I think they were at brentood(?) I went there in the 80s. Your best bet is possibly to join the Analog heaven e-mail list as someone is bound to know there.

chamomileshark wrote:hi, unfortunately no. Lucid Sound is in Cornwall, Kent is I don't know where but he is a CS80 specialist. Richard is in Reading, I don't know if he does the tech work.

I don't know if Roland themselves are still in London. I think they were at brentood(?) I went there in the 80s. Your best bet is possibly to join the Analog heaven e-mail list as someone is bound to know there.

Cool - thanks - can you give me the details of this email list?

chamomileshark wrote:Hi, I can answer the autobend question. No it should work the way you expected it to, ie the autobend goes from subtle to silly as you go from 1-10..there's no shift in polarity half way up (though that might be interesting). Likewise the modulation, it should be a smooth increase as you go up.

Hi Dude - Ive posted on the AH email list - and interestingly 2 SH2 users have said that what I described above with the 'autobend' function - is what they have and they think its normal....?

slightly confused...

It must be a common fault then..or maybe a mod (seems unlikely). Mine has never done that (and I've had it from new) A check of the manual indicates it is only starting at a lower pitch and then going up.

Sounds more like dirt or maybe worn-out than a common fault. Well, can be considered common because it's certain than faders will behave after such a long period of time. If Roland intended to make those On/Off only, they would have put a toggle switch or tact switch instead. I don't remember a SH-2 to behave like this as being "normal" (or maybe I am completely senile, which is possible too)

Try cleaning the faders with a GOOD cleaner (avoid Radio Shack). Deoxit is easily available in electronics shops. It costs more but it's better and made for that kind of job. You might have to clean more than once.

ok, I won't call it a common fault, but say that it's is being reported that a number of units are acting in this way and that this mode of functionality it is not as the manufacturer intended or as evidenced in new machines. What it is down to, I cannot say, I was merely describing the action as documented within the manual and in my experience of the machine in my possession.

is that better?

Sorry, I wasn't picking on you even though my post seems to suggest it. My apologies.

don't worry, no offence taken