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Frank
Username: Frank

Registered: 01-2006
Posted on Friday, February 10, 2006 - 9:06 pm:   

I received my BWM1BS Cowboy on Monday and Wednesday night while I was playing it with the EQ switched on the sound went dead. I turned off the amp and unplugged the guitar and then re-plugged back in and turned the amp back on and it worked for a while but then the same thing happened. I talked to an Ibanez authorized repairman in my area and he said to put a fresh battery in it to see if that helped otherwise he would have to have a look at it. I did put a new battery in it last night and played it for 45 minutes without any problems. But then today I played it and 10 minutes later it happened again. I did the shutdown, replug thing again and it worked ok for a minute or 2 and then it happened again. I'm not real savvy when it comes to guitar electronics and thats why I am appealing for some help. I don't have a clue as to whats happening and why it does'nt happen all the time. I'm very frustrated and very nervous, almost to the point of feeling sick. I ordered this guitar from a dealership in Germany so I can't just go back to the store and ask for a replacement. And it bugs the heck out of me that I can't call Ibanez (because they don't list phone numbers anywhere!)to talk to someone about making this right. I don't know if maybe something came loose during shipping or what but this just should not be happening to a new guitar, especially one as expensive as this one. Any help will be greatly appreciated. If anyone knows a contact person or has any suggestions of what I should do, please let me know. JohnS is being of great help to me during this crisis and I am eternally grateful to him and anyone else who can help me out. Thanks
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Pitviper
Username: Pitviper

Registered: 08-2005
Posted on Friday, February 10, 2006 - 10:14 pm:   

Being that this guitar is SO expensive I would suggest very careful examination of the internal connections...sounds to me something is draining the battery abnormaly fast. Check the positive and negative connections and see if something has crossed or grounded one of them. There could be more than a few reasons why, so I'll let the more experianced people here suggest what to do before I do any further.
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Frank
Username: Frank

Registered: 01-2006
Posted on Friday, February 10, 2006 - 10:23 pm:   

I actually attempted to open up the plate in the back of the guitar yesterday but there is something (kind of looks like a large computer chip) screwed on to the plate and I just did not have the nerve to unscrew that also with the fear that I would not be able to put it all back together. Therefore I buttoned it back up without getting a real good look at anything. Let me ask a question. If the battery were the issue would the red light on the guitar be going dim or completely out or does that light come on by just plugging the guitar in?
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Frank
Username: Frank

Registered: 01-2006
Posted on Friday, February 10, 2006 - 11:44 pm:   

Ok here's an update and maybe a clue to whats going on. I've been playing the guitar for about 30 minutes with no problem and the EQ went dead again. I turned off the amp and pulled the chord out of the guitar and then plugged it back in, turned on the amp and all is well again. In other words whatever is going on seems to be fixed (sometimes for a short while, sometimes longer) when I unplug and then re-plug the guitar back in? I would think if it were a major problem of some sort it would not correct itself by merely unplugging and then re-plugging the guitar in. Does this info help any of you out there to give me an idea of whats going on?
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Michaelkaufman
Username: Michaelkaufman

Registered: 11-2002
Posted on Saturday, February 11, 2006 - 12:04 am:   

The circuit board is probably the EQ itself. Has anyone opened up their Cowboy yet? I would call Ibanez (Hoshino USA) at 215-638-8670.
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Frank
Username: Frank

Registered: 01-2006
Posted on Saturday, February 11, 2006 - 12:38 am:   

Ok now I was playing the guitar and all was ok. I was playing it with the EQ activated and I set it down on the guitar stand for about 15 minutes and when I went to pick it up there was no sound! So this can happen even if its not being played. So I did the unplug, re-plug trick and sure enough it came back on!!!!
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Bigmike
Username: Bigmike

Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Saturday, February 11, 2006 - 12:39 pm:   

Sounds to me like when you have the guitar plugged in the battery has a load on it. All the times this problem happened: had you had the guitar plugged in and sitting on the stand when it was idle... I would wager (and I rarely bet anything) that when the guitar is plugged in there is a load on the battery. So when you are not playing it UNPLUG it.


Good luck diagnosing the problem and resolving it.
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Frank
Username: Frank

Registered: 01-2006
Posted on Saturday, February 11, 2006 - 12:51 pm:   

Big Mike: Thanks for your input. Actually the only time I have the guitar plugged in is when I am playing it and only then for about an hour at a time. Last night was the first time I set it on the stand and only for about 15 minutes to see what would happen. As a rule I do not keep guitars plugged in unless I am using them, and when they are not in use they are in the case. All I know for sure is that when this problem occurs it can be fixed by unplugging the guitar chord and then plugging it back in, therefore I would think the problem has to be in that area of the guitar somewhere. Something "wakes up" the EQ when I replug the chord in and I'm hoping that someone out there can explain why.
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Michaelkaufman
Username: Michaelkaufman

Registered: 11-2002
Posted on Saturday, February 11, 2006 - 4:11 pm:   

Doesn't the Cowboy have the EQ light which tells you when the EQ is on or off? The light should go off when the EQ is switched off or when the cable is unplugged. If should be on only when the cable is plugged in and the EQ is switched on.

I still think you should call Ibanez. It's possible that moving the guitar or plugging & unplugging the cable is causing an intermittent short or an open.

Once again....get a schematic (and share it with everyone!)

mk
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Frank
Username: Frank

Registered: 01-2006
Posted on Saturday, February 11, 2006 - 5:02 pm:   

MK, Its my understanding (and I'm sure I saw this on the original cowboy thread) that the light comes on and stays on merely when the chord is plugged in to the guitar. Once your plugged in it is always on no matter if your using the EQ or not. If any other owners lights are doing something different I don't know about it. I will call Ibanez using the number you gave me on Monday. JohnS is also trying to find out a contact for me and so is a local Ibanez dealership. I definately want to talk to someone from the company. I promise if I get any information about the wiring schematic you'll be the first to know about it. PS - I just looked at my notes for what all the switches/knobs/lights are for and the light you are referring to is called a "power indicator" therefore I don't think it is for the EQ solely.
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Michaelkaufman
Username: Michaelkaufman

Registered: 11-2002
Posted on Sunday, February 12, 2006 - 10:07 am:   

Certainly, with the AR-500, the light simply indicated if the EQ was on (and thus the battery was in use) and it only went on when the cable was plugged in AND the EQ was turned on. Yes, I remember the previous discussion and it's possible that the Cowboy works differently, however, it would be unfortunate if the battery was draining even of the EQ was not in use. That part doesn't make sense to me. Unless I'm overlooking something, that would be bad design. Let us know.

btw...sometimes you need to be persistent with Ibanez. Many times I've called and the person hasn't been too knowlegeable. I think they have young kids who answer the support line. If you have a problem, try to speak w/ someone else. If you still have a problem, let me know and I'll give you a name.

mk
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Strings
Username: Strings

Registered: 01-2005
Posted on Sunday, February 12, 2006 - 10:34 am:   

MK and Frank, regarding the light on the Cowboy (which is certainly the least of Frank's problems): I remember that discussion in the 'big' Cowboy thread and it was the consensus that the light sould always be on regardless of the EQ in/out setting. IOW, always ON when the axe is plugged in.

Frank, you should be able to get Hoshino/Ibanez's phone number through any Ibanez dealer as I have ordered parts that way in the last year...I'll see what I can dig up here as well and get back to you. With or without warantee in hand, they would have to stand behind the service on the Cowboy as the delivery on this model is less than a year old and I'm sure it's a healthy one.

MK...got the disc Friday!!...you will have mail and thanks so much...funny how the film industry (briefly) thought that videotape was such hi-tech stuff ;O)

EJ
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Frank
Username: Frank

Registered: 01-2006
Posted on Sunday, February 12, 2006 - 1:37 pm:   

MK, Thanks for the help. I am going to try to call Hoshino in Los Angeles tomorrow since I am in CA but I may also call Pennsylvania. If you have a contact that would help me out I would very much appreciate his name. As far as the light always being on, I would hope another cowboy owner would see this thread and confirm my beliefs.

Strings, Thanks for your thoughts as well. As mentioned above I will try to contact Hoshino tomorrow and get this situation solved. I did speak to a guitarist friend of mine this morning and explained the situation to him and he does'nt think it's a major problem, maybe a bad connection or something and I can only hope he is right. I have found an authorized Ibanez repair shop about 60 miles from me but I am waiting for my copy of my invoice because when the guitar shipped from Germany they forgot to send the invoice!
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Michaelkaufman
Username: Michaelkaufman

Registered: 11-2002
Posted on Sunday, February 12, 2006 - 3:28 pm:   

Regarding the warrantee, I wouldn't worry. It's obviously less than one year old!

mk
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Frank
Username: Frank

Registered: 01-2006
Posted on Sunday, February 12, 2006 - 10:01 pm:   

Ok here's another twist. The EQ setting just went out again and this time instead of turning off the amp and unplug/replug the guitar I flipped the switch to deactivate the EQ and turned down the volume all the way and I flipped the guitar over (leaving the guitar plugged in all this time) and opened the battery compartment and pulled the battery out and put it back in and when I flipped the switch back to the EQ setting and turned the volume back up it worked! In other words there are now 2 things that I can do to correct the problem temporarily 1) turn off amp, unplug/replug guitar in or 2) leave guitar plugged in and take out/replace the battery. Does this info help any of you guitar electronics wizards out there that might offer a theory?
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Snowjays
Username: Snowjays

Registered: 09-2004
Posted on Monday, February 13, 2006 - 6:31 am:   

Frank,

Two things that come to mind is that firstly, you may have a short in the Jack plug itself. Possibly excess solder or loose wire may be arcing across the open circuit. Try undoing the plug to check.
Secondly, the two wires to the battery are not connecting. This is a common fault with 9volt battery harnesses. The wire usually comes loose inside the plastic behind the pins. This would cause a sudden failing.

You should check your battery first, say on a guitar pedal or something, if the battery is flat you have an arcing/short in the circuitry, if the battery has plenty of charge, then it's likely you have a fault in the power supply.

Tom.
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Ibanezfreak1960
Username: Ibanezfreak1960

Registered: 03-2004
Posted on Monday, February 13, 2006 - 9:07 am:   

How about a battery tester and a cable tester for the guitar cable 1st.
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Frank
Username: Frank

Registered: 01-2006
Posted on Monday, February 13, 2006 - 11:18 am:   

Snowjays,

I opened up the back again last night and did not see any loose wires or connections. And the plug seems to be ok. I plugged in the cable with the back of the guitar open to ck the connection and it seems solid. As far as the battery wires, I'll try to ck that out, but I'm not sure how I can do this without pulling the whole battery compartment out of the guitar. Any suggestions?

Ibanezfreak,

I don't have a batter tester but I did put a brand new Energizer in on Thursday and if the battery were dead wouldn't the "power indicator" light go out? And I have tried two different cables with the same results. Both very good Monster cables. In fact I used one yesterday with my acoustic for 2 hours and did not have any problems. Also if it were the cable I would not be able to play the guitar in the "non EQ" mode, however thats not the case I can play the guitar with EQ switched off at all times.

I appreciate very much you guys trying to help out so keep the suggestions coming.
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Snowjays
Username: Snowjays

Registered: 09-2004
Posted on Tuesday, February 14, 2006 - 12:06 am:   

Does the light go out when you have the EQ cuts out? If it does that would be a loss of power.
When you mention turning down the volume control, is the pot in any way loose? If it is moving a little it may be connecting with something on the cicucuit board.

If it isn't any of the above, then next time it fails try just working the pots to see if they may cause the EQ to cut in and out. Sometimes a bit of dust can settle in there and cause what is hapening. Can be rectified with a bit of spay, at worst I think you have a faulty pot (volume or tone).IMHO.
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Frank
Username: Frank

Registered: 01-2006
Posted on Tuesday, February 14, 2006 - 12:20 am:   

No, the light stays on at all times guitar is plugged in irregardless of whether or not EQ is working or not. Pots are good and solid and I have tried working the pots/switches when this happens to see if it will change anything but it does not, very frustrating. I think I'm going to have to take it in to the shop and see what they can find out. I really appreciate your input I just don't know what else to do since it's not going away. Talked to somebody at Hoshino today and they said I could ship it back to them (which I really don't want to do since I am in CA and they are in PA) or take it to an authorized repair facility. I just want this thing fixed!!!!
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Frank
Username: Frank

Registered: 01-2006
Posted on Tuesday, February 14, 2006 - 9:18 pm:   

Well after barely having the Cowboy for a week I have taken it to the shop. Who knows when I'll get it back. I did speak to a rep from Hoshino this morning and he seemed a little concerned and willing to help but all in all I am not real impressed right now with Ibanez customer support. For what I paid for this guitar and for it to already be in the shop a week after purchase is sad. I was hoping that someone from Ibanez would really step up and make this a high priority in order to take care of the customer but to this point I'm just not seeing it. I'll let you know what happens in the shop. I miss my little cowboy....
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Strings
Username: Strings

Registered: 01-2005
Posted on Wednesday, February 15, 2006 - 3:35 pm:   

JohnS...wouldn't this thread be better served in the Miscellaneous catrgory?
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Ibanezfreak1960
Username: Ibanezfreak1960

Registered: 03-2004
Posted on Wednesday, February 15, 2006 - 9:14 pm:   

Frank who did you call at HoshinoUSA? Did you get a name? I have a contact that I can forward this thread to that should be able to help you.
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Frank
Username: Frank

Registered: 01-2006
Posted on Wednesday, February 15, 2006 - 10:13 pm:   

Freak,

I spoke to a guy in Sales/Service the last 2 days named Mike. He seems genuinely concerned about my situation and informed me that there are others at Hoshino working to get this taken care of. Says there may be a warranty issue since I bought the guitar from a German dealership. However he agrees with me that Ibanez built this guitar and they should be willing to take care of this problem irregardless of where the guitar was bought. That being said, if you feel your contact has alot of clout at Hoshino and you want to let him in on it, then go for it. Otherwise I think Mike is on the right track. If you do talk to your contact just have him speak to Mike and he can get the details. Mike also seems to think that if it's an EQ problem that I will probably have to ship the guitar to them in PA. I'm hoping thats not the case. Whole thing has been kind of a nightmare and now I just have this weird feeling about the whole thing. How do I know if the guitar will ever be right? I'm waiting to hear from the tech that has the guitar to see what he has diagnosed and we'll go from there. I very much appeciate your willing to help out, thanks.
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Ibanezfreak1960
Username: Ibanezfreak1960

Registered: 03-2004
Posted on Thursday, February 16, 2006 - 7:11 am:   

Frank lets see how you make out 1st, then if you get no where we can go from there!
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Frank
Username: Frank

Registered: 01-2006
Posted on Thursday, February 16, 2006 - 1:41 pm:   

Ok, hopefully I'll hear from the tech today to see what the first diagnosis is.
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Bobzilla
Username: Bobzilla

Registered: 02-2005
Posted on Thursday, February 23, 2006 - 4:37 pm:   

How's it coming along there Frank? Hope all is well.
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Frank
Username: Frank

Registered: 01-2006
Posted on Thursday, February 23, 2006 - 7:05 pm:   

Hello Bobzilla,

Guitar is at home waiting for next step. Local authorized tech says it needs new pre-amp. I have contacted Hoshino and they are trying to locate one. So basically I am waiting to hear from them before I can do anything. Most likely will have to ship guitar to Hoshino for repairs.
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Frank
Username: Frank

Registered: 01-2006
Posted on Sunday, March 05, 2006 - 1:08 pm:   

EQ has been located in Japan and is being sent to me for replacement. Should have it this week and am planning on taking to the shop the week of March 13th. Has not stopped me from using the guitar. It has a great tone even without the EQ!
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Ibanezfreak1960
Username: Ibanezfreak1960

Registered: 03-2004
Posted on Sunday, March 05, 2006 - 4:53 pm:   

cool glad to hear its being taken care of!
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Bobzilla
Username: Bobzilla

Registered: 02-2005
Posted on Tuesday, March 07, 2006 - 11:42 am:   

Good news there Frank. It will all work out fine.
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Frank
Username: Frank

Registered: 01-2006
Posted on Wednesday, March 08, 2006 - 6:33 pm:   

Got the package from Hoshino yesterday. Quite interesting they sent me all the electronics not just the pre-amp. New pots and switches, power indicator light, and jack. Kind of suprised me but maybe thats normal. I'll let you know how it turns out after I take it to the shop. Won't be able to get it done before late next week at the earliest. Thanks for your support.
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Michaelkaufman
Username: Michaelkaufman

Registered: 11-2002
Posted on Wednesday, March 08, 2006 - 8:29 pm:   

Please take & post pictures of the pre-amp (both sides)!

Thanks,
mk
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Bigmike
Username: Bigmike

Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Wednesday, March 08, 2006 - 10:53 pm:   

Frank,
First of all I am sorry after spending so much money you had these problems. BUT I really like that Hoshino isn't assuming any one thing is the cause of your problems and have sent you a total kit. This way you start 100% fresh. Anxious to hear when you get this behind you.

BigMike
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Ibanezfreak1960
Username: Ibanezfreak1960

Registered: 03-2004
Posted on Thursday, March 09, 2006 - 6:46 am:   

Sweet deal Frank. Yes we would love to see pics of the parts before they go in!
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Bobzilla
Username: Bobzilla

Registered: 02-2005
Posted on Thursday, March 09, 2006 - 8:01 am:   

I'd stick all that new stuff in there and remove the old... and save that old stuff.
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Frank
Username: Frank

Registered: 01-2006
Posted on Thursday, March 09, 2006 - 10:59 am:   

I will do my best to get some pictures. I'm a little leary of handling this stuff too much for fear that I might damage something. I don't know enough about these electronics to know if my handling of them too much will cause any problems? There are quite a few connections on the preamp and the last thing I want to do is damage anything. Any feedback on this? I promise if I don't get pictures of the "new" parts I will take pictures of the parts that are currently in the guitar when they come out since they are identical.

Bobzilla, Hoshino has asked that I send back the original parts so they can diagnose them. It's the least I can do for all the help they have given me. Mike @ Hoshino has been fantastic through this whole ordeal.

PS - since there seems to be so much interest in me posting pictures of these electronics is there something specific that you would like me to get a picture of?
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Bigmike
Username: Bigmike

Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Thursday, March 09, 2006 - 12:58 pm:   

Shoot pics of the old boards and such (both sides), it is very prudent that you do NOT handle the new parts. Like some computer chipsets and boards - any static that might be transferred from you to the part while being handled or you touching the contacts that the boards have on them MIGHT cause a problem. Being they reissued this guitar HOSHINO may feel they have a QC problem with the boards and by getting them back can test them and find the failed parts - thus perhaps nailing down which supplier might have failing components in their supply chain. I have seen so much of this lately in my computer job - manufacturers are not QC oriented like they used to be. Layoffs and cutbacks everywhere have caused QC to slip a lot...


BigMike
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Bobzilla
Username: Bobzilla

Registered: 02-2005
Posted on Thursday, March 09, 2006 - 1:34 pm:   

Frank, I think even under the best of circumstances, the repair work you need on your guitar is a delicate operation to some extent. You may want to inquire around this site as to who may be a highly recommended tech, especially in regard to Ibanez electronics. Good luck, alot of folks have their fingers crossed for you and I think basically, when the guts are done, you've got another "brand new" guitar. A good thing. Worth the wait.
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Michaelkaufman
Username: Michaelkaufman

Registered: 11-2002
Posted on Thursday, March 09, 2006 - 3:34 pm:   

Pics of the EQ board is my choice. The other parts would be nice too.

mk
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Frank
Username: Frank

Registered: 01-2006
Posted on Thursday, March 09, 2006 - 9:36 pm:   

Big Mike, I will heed your advice and not touch the parts again. Rather be safe than sorry. I will take pictures of the parts that come out of the guitar as soon as I get them back. Thanks for the info.

Bobzilla, I think I have found a tech that is highly qualified to do this job. Not only is he an authorized Ibanez repair tech but when I called him yesterday to set up an appt. he was familiar with this guitar and also told me that Bob Weirs tech had just dropped off the blue guitar that Bob is currently playing for some work. I'd have to say if Bob Weir is comfortable with this guy then thats good enough for me :-) His shop is in San Francisco.

MK, I know you are very interested in the EQ so I promise I will do my best to get the best pictures I can when I get the old parts back.
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Pitviper
Username: Pitviper

Registered: 08-2005
Posted on Friday, March 10, 2006 - 3:13 am:   

Frank the only thing you have to worry about handling electronic parts, other than dropping them, is electrostatic shock. Ground yourself and it is no problem.
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Bobzilla
Username: Bobzilla

Registered: 02-2005
Posted on Friday, March 10, 2006 - 9:12 am:   

Hey Frank....
Make sure Bob W. doesn't walk out with your axe.... by mistake.
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Frank
Username: Frank

Registered: 01-2006
Posted on Friday, March 10, 2006 - 9:49 am:   

Pit:

Thanks for that information. I feel a little better now.

Bobzilla:

Thanks for the heads up I'll be sure to ck the serial number when I pick it up.
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Bigmike
Username: Bigmike

Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Friday, March 10, 2006 - 1:40 pm:   

Frank,
Is that Gary Brawer you're taking it to ?? He's supposedly a real genius with wiring special setups. His shop space doesn't LOOK that impressive (he's in the back of REAL GUITARS) but I've heard a lot about him. Scored many a rare Ibanez part from them in the past...

Big
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Michaelkaufman
Username: Michaelkaufman

Registered: 11-2002
Posted on Friday, March 10, 2006 - 2:18 pm:   

Sounds like Gary to me. He's worked on the Dead's guitars for years. I'm planning on stopping by his shop when I'm in SF next month. If the timing works, maybe we can go together and then I can see the Cowboy with my own eyes and talk w/ him about building my own using a 2622 or AR-500 as a base...

mk
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Frank
Username: Frank

Registered: 01-2006
Posted on Friday, March 10, 2006 - 7:22 pm:   

Brilliant observations my friends, you are both correct! I was at a recording studio today in central CA and the engineer has all of his gear repaired by Gary Brawer and as a matter of fact Gary was coming to town today but I just missed him by about a half hour :-( The engineer told me that Gary sees the guitars of all the top notch bands when they come to the bay area. I am hoping to take my guitar to him next week sometime.
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Michaelkaufman
Username: Michaelkaufman

Registered: 11-2002
Posted on Saturday, March 11, 2006 - 12:33 am:   

I think he's a very busy guy...
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Frank
Username: Frank

Registered: 01-2006
Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 9:42 pm:   

Cowboy goes in tomorrow for repairs, I'll let you all know how it goes and when I get the old parts out I'll take pictures of the pre-amp front and back.
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Michaelkaufman
Username: Michaelkaufman

Registered: 11-2002
Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 10:13 pm:   

I sent an e-mail to Gary...if you see him, please ask him to check into it.

Thanks & good luck.

mk
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Frank
Username: Frank

Registered: 01-2006
Posted on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - 9:50 pm:   

Ok, just got back from repair shop and tech says that he had the cowboy plugged in for at least an hour and no problems. I have been home for about 60 minutes and all is well so far. I have to say that I think there was more to it than just the EQ shutting off intermittently. The tone knob and EQ knob seem to be having more of an effect on the sound since the repairs and I think I am now hearing the sound that was meant to be, and I have to say it is real sweet! He only switched the pre amp and the jack. He saw no need to replace any switches since this was not a "switch" problem from the start. He also "set up" the guitar at my request since I felt the intonation was not quite right. He made all the necessary adjustments and I think this Cowboy is finally ready to go.

MK, I did tell him to ck your email and he said he gets hundreds of emails daily but that he would help you out if he could. I can tell you after being in his shop he is a very busy guy.

Ok as promised here are the pictures of the pre amp that you have asked me to submit.

picture

picture
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Michaelkaufman
Username: Michaelkaufman

Registered: 11-2002
Posted on Thursday, March 16, 2006 - 8:29 am:   

Frank: thanks & congrats! This EQ is obviously very different than the older EQ's. If you look carefully, you can see what is probably the part number. Does it say IBZ-G300A? I wonder if the blue & white components on the rear of the board allow you to make adjustments? How familiar do you think Gary is with this guitar's electronics?

mk
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Frank
Username: Frank

Registered: 01-2006
Posted on Thursday, March 16, 2006 - 10:04 am:   

Yes it says IBZ 300-A and the blue and white components are what you see on the back of the guitar and they are for individual pickup adjustment(see pictures on the "Do You Want One of These" thread) I did not ask him about his familiarity with the electronics nor did he comment about it.
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Michaelkaufman
Username: Michaelkaufman

Registered: 11-2002
Posted on Thursday, March 16, 2006 - 10:21 am:   

I think it may be IBZ-D300A?
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Frank
Username: Frank

Registered: 01-2006
Posted on Thursday, March 16, 2006 - 10:34 am:   

Nope, its G300A I just took it out of the box and looked at it to make sure.
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Michaelkaufman
Username: Michaelkaufman

Registered: 11-2002
Posted on Thursday, March 16, 2006 - 12:23 pm:   

thanks...

btw...do you know if Gary has the Cowboy schematic?
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Frank
Username: Frank

Registered: 01-2006
Posted on Thursday, March 16, 2006 - 1:01 pm:   

I don't think so but you'd have to ask him. Who knows since he works on Weirs guitars maybe he would have access to the schematic. Good luck and I did tell him that you may be stopping by next month. His place is a little tricky to find if your not familiar with SF, so if you have any questions about directions I'd be happy to help.
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Bigmike
Username: Bigmike

Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Thursday, March 16, 2006 - 1:21 pm:   

Frank's right. Gary's place is in the back of REAL GUITARS which is on this tiny street called Lafayette off Mission St between 11th and Van Ness. REAL also has some pretty interesting gear from time to time. Got my old Deluxe Reverb there.


BigMike
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Bobzilla
Username: Bobzilla

Registered: 02-2005
Posted on Thursday, March 16, 2006 - 1:37 pm:   

Frank, Congrats! Glad all went well. Didn't I meet you in New York at Harley? Seems like you're in Ca. How did you hook up with Gary? have you been to him before?
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Frank
Username: Frank

Registered: 01-2006
Posted on Thursday, March 16, 2006 - 6:21 pm:   

Big,

Your correct, Garys place is easy to miss if you don't know where to look and Real Guitars does have some vintage stuff in there. Everyone in that shop was very friendly.

Bobzilla,

I have not been to New York in about 20 years so I don't thinkwe have met. I am in CA. I hooked up with Gary merely by coincidence. I got his information from the Ibanez Authorized Repair Centers web page. The more I heard about him the more impressed I was. I am very lucky to have found him. He is a great guy. I took a friend of mine with me that has a 63 Strat and Gary walked through all of his concerns one by one with great detail. I have not been to him before but a friend of mine has. I will definately be using him from now on.

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