Boss MZ-2 Digital Metalizer with dead chorus/doubler fnction
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- solewheelin
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Boss MZ-2 Digital Metalizer with dead chorus/doubler fnction
Hi i'm needing some help with this.
I bought an MZ-2 on reverb with the mode knob not working. It's an analog pcb sandwiched to a digital pcb. The mode knob is stuck in drive function no matter where i set it. I poked every solder joint with a chop stick and couldn't get even a whisper of the chorus and delay/doubler signal. Can't find a loose or cold solder joint anywhere. I was once able to fix an RV3 with a non functioning mode knob by flowing some solder where the mode knob connected to the board so I had hope.. but this issue is different in behavior.
Really hoping to get this working. I'm thinking now it could be the connection between the digital pcb and the outputs but idk.
Here are the MZ-2 service notes if that helps.
https://www.audioservicemanuals.com/b/b ... vice-notes
Thanks
I bought an MZ-2 on reverb with the mode knob not working. It's an analog pcb sandwiched to a digital pcb. The mode knob is stuck in drive function no matter where i set it. I poked every solder joint with a chop stick and couldn't get even a whisper of the chorus and delay/doubler signal. Can't find a loose or cold solder joint anywhere. I was once able to fix an RV3 with a non functioning mode knob by flowing some solder where the mode knob connected to the board so I had hope.. but this issue is different in behavior.
Really hoping to get this working. I'm thinking now it could be the connection between the digital pcb and the outputs but idk.
Here are the MZ-2 service notes if that helps.
https://www.audioservicemanuals.com/b/b ... vice-notes
Thanks
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- solewheelin
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Re: Boss MZ-2 Digital Metalizer with dead chorus/doubler fnc
Checked everything connected to the outputs and nothing.
Am I SOL here?
I feel like this one hasn't just bit the dust. What could make it just not work?
thanks for any help
Am I SOL here?
I feel like this one hasn't just bit the dust. What could make it just not work?
thanks for any help
Great deals (here) with - Skip (x2), Brochacho, TheInk'd, rfurtkamp, phantasmagorovich, foomanfat, Helter, hbombgraphics (x3), buyyerown, deucejanisch, jrmy, HotRats, Chuckjaywalk, uberdave, alexsga, ianmarks (Turnipfarm FX), RainbowsAreFree, tsirotinsky, JustinM1789m, zrobertez, jrh60, Casavettes, John, tashiattack, symbolique, aen, chrisdermo, fldrvr, controlFreak
- Scruffie
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Re: Boss MZ-2 Digital Metalizer with dead chorus/doubler fnc
I'd get an audio probe and start investigating the switching.
- solewheelin
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Re: Boss MZ-2 Digital Metalizer with dead chorus/doubler fnc
Thanks Scruffie. Do you mean the switching from the mode knob or the main on-off switch?
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- Scruffie
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Re: Boss MZ-2 Digital Metalizer with dead chorus/doubler fnc
I'm talking about the FET switches, there's a table in the service manual you posted showing what modes are what.
Seems the digital chip controls the bypass switching so if that works, good bet it's salvageable.
Seems the digital chip controls the bypass switching so if that works, good bet it's salvageable.
- solewheelin
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Re: Boss MZ-2 Digital Metalizer with dead chorus/doubler fnc
Thanks. I wish I could figure out where the FET /bypass switching was so i could troubleshoot that.
Here it is. as it is right now.


Here it is. as it is right now.


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- solewheelin
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Re: Boss MZ-2 Digital Metalizer with dead chorus/doubler fnc
BTW I didn't have much luck with that service manual. It was meant to help others help me.
Have yet to learn to read schematics.
Have yet to learn to read schematics.
Great deals (here) with - Skip (x2), Brochacho, TheInk'd, rfurtkamp, phantasmagorovich, foomanfat, Helter, hbombgraphics (x3), buyyerown, deucejanisch, jrmy, HotRats, Chuckjaywalk, uberdave, alexsga, ianmarks (Turnipfarm FX), RainbowsAreFree, tsirotinsky, JustinM1789m, zrobertez, jrh60, Casavettes, John, tashiattack, symbolique, aen, chrisdermo, fldrvr, controlFreak
- Schlatte
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Re: Boss MZ-2 Digital Metalizer with dead chorus/doubler fnc
Have you tried measuring if the selector switch is still working correctly? In my experience, 90% of the time it is some mechanical fault, either switches/pots die from mechanical stress or some wire/trace/component breaks from mechanical overstress. Just take you ohmmeter on the unpowered pedal and measure from the center tap of the switch to each pole in every setting and see, if the connections are made correctly.
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- whoismarykelly
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Re: Boss MZ-2 Digital Metalizer with dead chorus/doubler fnc
You're attempting a top tier repair project so you should probably set this one aside until you learn to read schematics. Then come back to it and you may be able to find a solution reasonably quick.solewheelin wrote:BTW I didn't have much luck with that service manual. It was meant to help others help me.
Have yet to learn to read schematics.
- solewheelin
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Re: Boss MZ-2 Digital Metalizer with dead chorus/doubler fnc
I will definitely check the paths more closely with an ohmmeter. I mostly just checked for anything loose along the path from the mode switch.Schlatte wrote:Have you tried measuring if the selector switch is still working correctly? In my experience, 90% of the time it is some mechanical fault, either switches/pots die from mechanical stress or some wire/trace/component breaks from mechanical overstress. Just take you ohmmeter on the unpowered pedal and measure from the center tap of the switch to each pole in every setting and see, if the connections are made correctly.
I'm actually pretty good with (most) guitar and pedal repairs. Over 100 success stories, really.
Skeematics though bro. The symbols are not easy. I have tried to learn. Need to take another stab at it.


Great deals (here) with - Skip (x2), Brochacho, TheInk'd, rfurtkamp, phantasmagorovich, foomanfat, Helter, hbombgraphics (x3), buyyerown, deucejanisch, jrmy, HotRats, Chuckjaywalk, uberdave, alexsga, ianmarks (Turnipfarm FX), RainbowsAreFree, tsirotinsky, JustinM1789m, zrobertez, jrh60, Casavettes, John, tashiattack, symbolique, aen, chrisdermo, fldrvr, controlFreak