Ibanez - ES-2 Echo Shifter - Repair

ilcaccillo · Post by **ilcaccillo** » 27 Jun 2019, 21:10

I bought a non-working Ibanez Echo shifter pedal,
it was not powering up.
This is a well know problem in this pedal, with a lot of complains all over the web. Probably Ibanez stop making them because of so many units being returned.

It's a shame because the pedal sounds really good, it's a great analog BBD delay with some nice twists.

Good News is that the pedal is easily fixed:

The problem of not powering up or no sound is normally due to failed small SMD inductors.
L1 for DC supply
L6 and L7 for the input and output Jacks

Following the advice of False Electronics, I removed those 3 SMD inductors and replaced each of them with 2 wire bridges.
After doing this to L1, the pedal powered up but I got no audio signal at the output.
After removing and bridging L6 and L7 , the Sound was back and the pedal was working perfectly.

I have no problems at all with RF or noise after removing and bridging the solder pads of L1,L6 and l7.

here are the 3 inductors/chokes after being removed:

ilcaccillo · Post by **ilcaccillo** » 27 Jun 2019, 21:12

L1

L6

L7

ilcaccillo · Post by **ilcaccillo** » 27 Jun 2019, 21:22

While I had the pedal open I also did some mods,
I replaced the factory pcb contact switches, with 2 clickless Normally open momentary switches

And I also added a Switch to cut the Direct signal for 100% WET.
The MIX knob is actually the volume for the Delay Effect so the direct sound is always present.
I just added a switch to short the right side of R21, and that cuts the direct signal.
Thanks fishboytech for that mod and photos, check it here:

Dirk_Hendrik · Post by **Dirk_Hendrik** » 28 Jun 2019, 07:03

Congrats on having your pedal working.

However, while you have no problems with RF or noise that system works 2 ways. That means that others may have trouble because of the noise you create. While we all hate the stuff, and especially the certification, EMC regulations have been invented for a reason. It also means that in the (yes, ultrarare, I know) case where accidents happened and it is proven they were caused by your "repaired" pedal, you will be liable.

it's all very unlikely but still do consider this in every repair or modification you undertake.

ilcaccillo · Post by **ilcaccillo** » 29 Jun 2019, 01:25

Hi,
you can repair most of these pedals by replacing the inductors, I might solder new inductors if I have any RF problems in the future.

Saying this I'm not convincing anyone to fix it by bridging the incutors solder pads, I'm just telling that the common problems with No Power On or no signal come from the original L1,L6 and L7 inductors, you can replace those for better ones if you wish.

It's a great sounding pedal that unfortunately has a problems with bad components, and there's so many people complaining about the same common problems that it's great we can share the fix.

Thanks