Cleaning mxr pedal interior

JezWynd

Just took delivery of an old mxr Envelope Filter. I'd been wanting to try this one for the longest time as it has a great rep. It hasn't disappointed either. Very easy to dial in an excellent sound, definitely one of the best I've used - the Maxon Auto Wah is very nice and can get similar sounds but is incredibly fussy to set just right, whereas the mxr is so simple.

Anyway, the insides are the usual old mxr sticky mess. Almost all the foam has been removed but there are still some patches adhering to the back of the pots and the whole is covered in sticky grains of rotted foam. I've read that this can destroy the traces over time but as it sounds so good and works fine should I attempt to clean it and if so, how?

ICBM

I generally use a stiff paintbrush and a vacuum cleaner, and then finish off with some label-remover solvent if it won't all shift. You then need to find something suitable to replace it - stiff-ish thin cardboard (eg cornflake packet) is actually fine if you can't get any foam of the right type.

John_A

I would use solvent on a cloth rather than spraying on to the pots to get any residue off 

JezWynd

Thanks for the suggestions guys. Would denatured alcohol do it or do I need something more specialised?

ThorpyFX

Kill it with fire, that shit is horrendous. I still have nightmares from several old dynacomps I fixed

John_A

JezWynd said:

Thanks for the suggestions guys. Would denatured alcohol do it or do I need something more specialised?

That should be fine.  Try not to let it run in to the pots, just keep your rag slightly damp and go slowly

JezWynd

Decided to play it safe and went with a can of air and a toothbrush. Such a nice sounding little box,I didn't want to risk any mistakes. Finished off with a sheet of card.There are a couple of stubborn bits that might benefit from solvent but I think I'll leave it for now.

John_A

Looks great, yes I'd stop there

Sassafras

Looks like new. Nice job.

JezWynd

Thanks guys. I'm really pleased with it. I've been looking for one for ages. I'm surprised mxr haven't thought to rerelease it.

I haven't tried it on bass yet but for 6 string it's way ahead of the DOD 440 and FX25. It doesn't decimate your tone and has a wide sweep of the pot where there are good sounds, whereas with many filters it's a case of finding the spot where the effect works with your pickups.

ICBM

JezWynd said:

I haven't tried it on bass yet but for 6 string it's way ahead of the DOD 440 and FX25. It doesn't decimate your tone and has a wide sweep of the pot where there are good sounds, whereas with many filters it's a case of finding the spot where the effect works with your pickups.

The DOD FX25 is exactly that - *one* great sound, when you finally get it dialled in exactly right. The knobs are to fine-tune it, not for getting a variety of sounds… although it really is truly great when you do.