Question about Crate FlexWave FW120H Guitar Amp Head with DSP, 120W

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Crate flexwave 120 head effects malfunctioning

I bought this amp used about 2 weeks ago, and it's had some issues from the start. It came with the footswitch that switches between clean mid and overdrive, and the third switch turns the effects on and off. As far as I can tell, the clean/mid/od channels all work fine. amp sounds great. the problem is that the effects will turn off and on by themselves without me touching the 3rd footswitch. Power cycling the amp 2 or 3 times usually fixes the issue, but it will still kick on randomly and it's getting irritating. I play mostly alternative and metal so it's kind of an egg on the face moment when you're trying to practice a new riff and the flanger effect turns on full blast. I had an older crate in college that was a similar setup but it didn't have the effects and it was a similar situation with the reverb it just worked sometimes then stopped. Is this a wiring issue or does crate just enjoy messing with people when it comes to that third footswitch?

Posted by Trey on

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1 Answer

Joe Patch

Joe Patch

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  • 336 Answers

That is probably a momentary switch that is dirty and sticking. These onboard effects on guitar amps are usually nothing more than a computer sound card and I've found bad connections going to and from them as well. I do think that switch is dirty and sticking, though.

Posted on Feb 21, 2013

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Anonymous

  • 1 Answer

SOURCE: crate flexwave 120 head sound cuts out

I also have this same problem, it really is upsetting. I traded alot of instruments Epi Special 2, Schecter Damien b-2, jackson RR v, B.c Rich warlock, an older beringer tube amp, and a ibenez weeping demon pedal. For a crate flex wave 120h (half stack) i had it for bout 2 months nothing wrong then all of a sudden, i turn it on and volume fluxes up and down on its own i also notice the reverb cutting in and out when this happens. I cant use warranty because even though owner of the store gave me registration card for it, he never gave me a receipt cause it was a trade in, so i cant send it away. Also just like this guy said when you press in on a knob (any knob, not just the channel you are on, it will go to full volume again. I am puzzled at this problem and searched on the web for days not much on the subject. I only use for practice never leaves volume of 4, never gigged never moved. I would like to maybe fix this problem as now i feel stupid for trading all that gear for an amp don't want to loose this amp. Also it was a brand new amp not preowned. Please Help......

Posted on Mar 08, 2010

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Fred Yearian

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SOURCE: I have a crate fxt

A possible problem MIGHT be marginal switch contacts on the external foot controller cable. If you are not using the foot pedal, these contacts must maintain contact to keep the same channel selected.

Posted on Sep 16, 2010

criss_michae

Cameron Lewis

  • 64 Answers

SOURCE: sound is shorting out...its not

It sounds like the DSP processor is either about to go out, or is mostly there. Have a qualified amplifier technician take a look at the DSP. Also look up the cost of a new one.

Hope that helps!

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Posted on Feb 12, 2011

Anonymous

  • 59 Answers

SOURCE: my crate gtd 65 footswitch is not working

sounds to me like your din plug on your controller is messed up ? hope this helps !

Posted on Jun 03, 2011

tim_lammers

Tim Lammers

  • 1 Answer

SOURCE: crate flexwave 120 tuner and

Hi there,I have the same problem with my flexwave 120. I opened the amp to measure several capacitors on the small effect circuit board. If one of this capaciters have internal short circuit, wich will effect the others causing effects to fail. I removed them one by one to find possible short circuit. All capacitors were ok. I think the problem is in the processor wich is to diffucult to replace. I think it's easier to replace the effects circuit board. But where do we find this board??10_29_2011_6_25_35_am.jpg

Posted on Oct 29, 2011

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Marshall MG100HDFX footswitch toggling - bypassing?
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I have a Marshall mg100hdfx Head & Cab - The clean channel is on but when i hit the footswitch it is not changing to overdrive channel - please help
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Does your M foot switch work on the Fender? If you know how to use a multimeter you could check continuity by putting meter leads on plug of M foot switch(1 on tip, 1 on sleeve ) You should see a change in the multi meter when you depress switch. If so switch is good. Another easy test is with cap off a spare 1/4 plug -plug it in to foot switch jack.put a alligator or some such metal clip or wire and join(called short or shorting) the two inputs . If connecting and unconnecting results in switching then the foot switch is suspect. One fairly common thing is that foot switch and input jack are often sautered straight to a circuit board to save $ on production cost. Used to be all point to point where a wire was attached to 1/4" input and then wire went to circuit board or tubes. The wire has give, but not so with direct wiring to board. So the nut holding the 1/4" amp input gets loose(doesn't have to be loose for the following to happen) and a pull on the chord causes a break in the soldier and thus a break in the sound chain. Sometimes it will work intermittingly by putting a little pressure left, right, up or down on the plugged in plug. If so, it's the input jacks connection to the amp. If not it still could be that because putting pressure on plug may not be sufficient to affect a temporary reconnection. Since switch(the new one you made)works on Fender, but not Marshall I suspect the jack or foot switch circuitry past the input jack. If using some of the above the above tests leads you that direction,remove housing(unplug a/c power 1st ) inspect jack,wiggle it slightly see or feel a break then resodier from back side. You should be able to use the soldier already present without adding extra.

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Hi,I just bought a Roland FS 1 footswitch.I have a Laney AOR 100 tube amp which takes a Laney FS 1 footswitch.I was hoping the Roland would work with my Laney but it doenst.I bought the Roland used as well...
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Here is the scheamtic for your amp:

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Scroll down to the link at the page "Get Manual" and click to download. It is a JPG type file.

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2 Answers

Fender Hot Rod Deluxe Footswitch
Main thing to verify is that the particular footswitch and cable you have is specifically for that amp. If it is not the right one, that is your problem as there is very little compatibility among footswitches.
Looking at the schematic, plugging in JUST the cable shifts operation as you observed. This uses a crazy circuit in which AC is applied on the cable and the footswitch has a diode each direction that causes the amp to shift between the states. when you plug a bare cable in, it disconnects the internal diodes and switches for control at the amp, hence the signals float.
You should investigate the footswitch to make sure it is the right type with the diodes resistors and caps that is for the Fender Deluxe.

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http://www.fender.com/support/amp_schematics/pdfs/Hot_Rod_Deluxe_Schematic.pdf

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1 Answer

My 100hdfx has a problem switching channels. Both overdrive channels work fine but the clean channel is none existant. If you switch it to the clean channel and turn it up all the way you can faintly here...
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