|
Regular U.S. Shipping Only $3.50 & Worldwide Shipping Only $4.50 WARNING! — The OPA2134PA opamp, of which are included in many of my kits, is currently extremely hard to find. Mouser and Digikey are currently out of stock with none expected until 2023. I have hundreds in stock. BE CAREFUL BUYING THE OPA2134PA. THE MAJORITY ARE FAKE! Manufacturers in China are rebranding cheaper opamps and selling them as OPA2134PA opamps. I test all my OPA2134PA opamps I buy. You can easily test whether a OPA2134PA has been rebranded. Do this, take some Acetone on a Q-tip and rub across the lettering of the opamp. If it is Fake the ink used to print the labeling will dissolve into the Q-tip.
True Story — I put a set of Steve Lukather EMGs in one of my HSS Strats to try and solve some noise issues we were having at church. And if you've ever used active pups you know they are known for being, well, different. Some say they are sterile. Well after weeks of trying, I just could not warm up to them. I was planning on selling them and right after I did a cap & opamp mod on one of my DL4s I decided to take the EMG equipped Strat to rehearsal to try with a newly modded DL4. Once I placed the modded DL4 on my board I fired up the Strat with the EMGs. I could not believe the tone. I remembered the EMGs sounding sterile and harsh with my rig. But all of a sudden the harshness was gone! So I replaced the modded DL4 with my other unmodded DL4. The harshness returned and my tone became sterile and lifeless! So I replaced the unmodded DL4 with the one I had just modded with new audio grade caps and Burr Browns and the EMGs once again sounded smooth and FAT without any harshness whatsoever! I've discovered since those other guitars I could never warm up to with that rig were now sounding great with inspiring tone. Now I know some of you might accuse me of just trying to sell you a mod kit for your Line 6 pedals. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to sell you a kit. But this is the plain unadulterated truth! I have now modded both my DL4s with my kits. The new Audio Grade Capacitors and Burr Brown opamps have completely transformed my DL4s into wonderful sounding delay pedals. If you've looked over the DL4 in the past because of their harsh, sterile tone, let me invite you to experience, like I have, smooth and Fat harmonically rich guitar tone.
This mod will work with the DL4, DM4, FM4 & MM4, all of the Line 6 Stompbox Modelers. All the Stompbox modelers use the exact same PCB. High-quality PDF Instructions will be sent after purchase.
IMPORTANT — I am only aware of 2 different Line 6 pcb versions. Please look at the two Line 6 pcb images above (Vintage & Newer Versions) and match the pic to the version pcb you have in your pedal. Once ordered please shoot me a message letting us know which version you need, Vintage or Newer pcb Version. Also, after purchase, I'll need you to shoot me your email address so I can send you the PDF Instructions.
The DL4 is a great delay pedal. I’ve used them in the studio and live for almost 20 years. But as is the case with many mass produced pedals, Line 6 cut a few corners to bring the price point down. The Electrolytic Capacitors Line 6 uses can be upgraded to Audio Grade Capacitors and there are two TL072 opamps in the input and output circuits that can be upgraded. Together with replacing them improves the overall tone of the pedal.
Electrolytic capacitors, with age, are notorious for leaking, losing their tolerance and going bad. The result can be a pedal failure, noise and hum, and generally poor performance of the effect. Just like in tube amps, Electrolytic Capacitors in pedals also go bad with age and use. By replacing them the performance of the pedal is enhanced by ensuring clean power to the circuit. Where possible I replaced electrolytics with high-quality Metal Film Capacitors.
There are different quality levels of Electrolytic Capacitors. Here I have chosen Nichicon Audio Grade Electrolytic Capacitors. NOTE: Nichicon Capacitors are getting hard to source. When possible I will use them, but others may be used instead. These capacitors are some of the best audio grade electrolytics available and will take your pedal to a whole new level in audio quality. You’ll find they will give you a tighter low end and smoother mids and highs. For the opamps, I chose the Burr Brown OPA2134UA. These opamps will add clarity and fullness to the effect along with lower noise.
Together these changes will push your Line 6 pedal into new tonal territory and breath new life into the effect. The capacitors are through-hole and are easily replaced. The two opamps are surface mount (SMD) and are actually not that hard to replace once you get the technique down. I recommend watching several of the surface mount soldering videos on Youtube. You’ll find as I did that with the right tools and technique replacing surface mount components can be done with relative ease.
Even though some of the Electrolytics are not in the signal path I feel they should be replaced. Especially on the older Line 6 pedals. Some of these pedals are 20 years old. Electrolytics, over time, go bad, leak and lose tolerances, which affect the quality of the effect. Some people want to know why Line 6 hasn’t addressed these issues. Well, why should they? If a DL4 goes south, Line 6 knows they are going to make money on repairs and or sell more product. Simple economics. Don’t forget Music Man Amps. They were made so well there were no residual monies to be made on repairs. That helped contribute to their failure as a company.
Copyright® 2003-2023 Monte Allums, LLC
|
|
|
|
