Are the Custom Controls on my AMP1 broken?
The AMP1 Custom Controls
All of the channels on the AMP1 - with the exception of the pure Vintage overdrive channel - have infinitely variable sound filters with which the character of each channel can be tuned individually. In addition to this, there is a controller for the individual volume of the channel, and a controller for the intensity of the boost that can be switched on globally - that is, for all channels.
The custom controls consist of two parts: a mini trimming potentiometer that is soldered to the circuit board, and a plastic thru-axle that grips the potentiometer and is used to operate the potentiometer from the outside (see picture).
Error types
We know from experience of two types of errors that can occur with the Custom Control knobs:
- The first mistake concerns the trimmers. It manifests itself in jumps in volume and sometimes loud cracking sounds, especially when you turn the potentiometer. This error occurs almost exclusively with the AMP1 Silver Edition.
With the AMP1 Mercury Edition and AMP1 Iridium Edition, there are a few trimmers where there is no longer a signal at the upper or lower end of the control range.
- The second type of error affects the thru-axles and occurs almost exclusively on the AMP1 Silver Edition. If the thru-axle breaks, the knob can be moved from the outside without resistance, but it does not change the sound when turning it.
In rare cases, the opposite happens: the knob blocks and can no longer be turned or can only be turned with force.
Troubleshooting: what kind of error is it?
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AMP1 Silver Edition
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AMP1 Mercury Edition / AMP1 Iridium Edition
- Add Button
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Volume drops or loud crackling when operating the potentiometer
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Knob turns without resistance, no sound change when turning
- Add Button
Your AMP1's custom control trimmers need to be replaced. You can find out here how and where you can have the necessary repairs carried out: Product defective - what now?
The Custom Control axles of your AMP1 need to be replaced. You can either have this done in a BluGuitar service workshop or install the parts yourself. You can find out more here: The Custom Control axles on my AMP1 are defective. What now?
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Volume drops / "popping" noises / cracking when operating the potentiometer
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No signal when potentiometer is turned all the way up/down
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Knob turns without resistance, no sound change when turning
- Add Button
Either there is dust on the trimmer trace, or the trace is slightly corroded in one or more places. In both cases, you can eliminate the problem by turning the potentiometer in question back and forth several times in both directions as far as it will go.
If that doesn't help, the trimmer in question must be replaced. You can find out here how and where you can have the necessary repairs carried out: Product defective - what now?
Your AMP1's custom control trimmers need to be replaced. You can find out here how and where you can have the necessary repairs carried out: Product defective - what now?
The Custom Control axles of your AMP1 need to be replaced. You can either have this done in a BluGuitar service workshop or install the parts yourself. You can find out more here: The custom control axles on my AMP1 are defective. What now?