SSL J series Faders - here we go again!

[Steve Evans]

I posted this problem on here some time ago, and quite a few 'J'
owners seemed to be in agreement with me.
Basically, SSL can't supply spare parts for the Alps motorised fader
assemblies fitted in 'J' consoles. Approx 90% of fader faults (in my
experience) are down to parts failing within the fader body, which
requires a costly replacement or exchange from SSL
Imagine the frustration when a drive belt, which must cost Pence
(Cents, Yen?) to produce, stretches and requires the whole Fader to be
replaced at a cost of over 200 Pounds. Motors and conductive plastic
tracks also have their share of problems.

I've just used up our remaing 4 spares, replacing dead faders, but I
still have at least 4 that have motor issues and require a costly
replacement.
I really feel SSL have shot their customers in the foot on this issue.

Whinge over - coffee break....

Ta

--
steveevans AT clara DOT co DOT uk

[Scott Dorsey]

Steve Evans > wrote:
>I posted this problem on here some time ago, and quite a few 'J'
>owners seemed to be in agreement with me.
>Basically, SSL can't supply spare parts for the Alps motorised fader
>assemblies fitted in 'J' consoles. Approx 90% of fader faults (in my
>experience) are down to parts failing within the fader body, which
>requires a costly replacement or exchange from SSL
>Imagine the frustration when a drive belt, which must cost Pence
>(Cents, Yen?) to produce, stretches and requires the whole Fader to be
>replaced at a cost of over 200 Pounds. Motors and conductive plastic
>tracks also have their share of problems.
>
>I've just used up our remaing 4 spares, replacing dead faders, but I
>still have at least 4 that have motor issues and require a costly
>replacement.

Have you tried going to ALPS directly? They might not be able to supply
replacement faders, but they might be able to get you faders with the
same motors in them that you can swap out.

You should be able to get those drive belts from Berg in the US, which
sells a wide variety of such things. If you need replacement plastic
gears, you can talk to the guys at www.odometergears.com who will hand-mold
the things out of resin in small batches.

Motors are a problem. How are they failing? Is the front bearing going out,
or are the things just going open?

>I really feel SSL have shot their customers in the foot on this issue.

Wouldn't be the first time....
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

[Scott Dorsey]

Steve Evans > wrote:
>I posted this problem on here some time ago, and quite a few 'J'
>owners seemed to be in agreement with me.
>Basically, SSL can't supply spare parts for the Alps motorised fader
>assemblies fitted in 'J' consoles. Approx 90% of fader faults (in my
>experience) are down to parts failing within the fader body, which
>requires a costly replacement or exchange from SSL
>Imagine the frustration when a drive belt, which must cost Pence
>(Cents, Yen?) to produce, stretches and requires the whole Fader to be
>replaced at a cost of over 200 Pounds. Motors and conductive plastic
>tracks also have their share of problems.
>
>I've just used up our remaing 4 spares, replacing dead faders, but I
>still have at least 4 that have motor issues and require a costly
>replacement.

Have you tried going to ALPS directly? They might not be able to supply
replacement faders, but they might be able to get you faders with the
same motors in them that you can swap out.

You should be able to get those drive belts from Berg in the US, which
sells a wide variety of such things. If you need replacement plastic
gears, you can talk to the guys at www.odometergears.com who will hand-mold
the things out of resin in small batches.

Motors are a problem. How are they failing? Is the front bearing going out,
or are the things just going open?

>I really feel SSL have shot their customers in the foot on this issue.

Wouldn't be the first time....
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."