Cold Solder Joints on a MKI Line 6 Flextone XL

[Jupiter_Fell Band]

Hi Y'all,

This is my 1st thread on this forum! I have a Line 6 Flextone XL that is currently having major issues with its Line 6 Floorboard counterpart. The Floorboard I'm using is the Line 6-99 Floorboard with 2 expression pedals.(Line 6 Floorboard Controller Pedal at zZounds) The pedal is functionoing but the indicator lights that corespond to what function you are on and what bank you are using are not working. The LED bank indicator constaly displays "888" and also "886,..-, etc. I have spoke to line 6 and they narrowed the problem down from the ethernet cable(tried about 5 same issue) to the connection on the back of the amp a rj-45 ethernet type connector and said that one of the pins is not working or sending info to the wrong one. My question is has anyone experience this issue with this amp or any line 6 models and is the remedy in replacing the ethernet jack or is it something of a greater issuse such as the PCB?

[km6xz]

Did someone on the Line6 community forum or a Line6 tech say that? In neither case does it make sense if the continuous controllers and switches are controlling the amp OK. The RJ45 connection problem suggested would prevent any floor board operation and control of the amp. You are not going to get much help from Line6, they do not want to give advice that would fix internal problems unless just suggesting something, even if totally implausible, that is accessible by the user such as the cable.
The best solution is to take it to a Line6 authorized shop and get the problem diagnosed because you are going to have to order any parts from them anyway since Line6 does not sell parts.
The problem is likely the data decoding for the LED segmented display. That can either be in the de-multiplexer separating the display data from the controller data on the same lines, or the LED segment driver itself...most likely.

It tell my friends who ask, not to get equipment from companies that has highly restricted access to parts, who do not support end users. I was one of the first, if not the first warranty station when Line6 started and I still can't get any parts from Line6 or their distributor. To protect your investment it is safer to not rely on such companies. When they shut off access, you lose the cost of the unit. If you get hooked on sounds that only a single source can create, if you are in a working band or serious recording player, you are out of business.

[olddawg]

Have you tried a master reset of the amp. The process is in the owners manual and requires holding severall buttons down at the same time as you power up the amp. You may have more serious issues, but I have fixed several "unrepairable" Line 6 amps by simply performing the master reset proceedure. Find the owners manual on line and try it before you do anything else. It may have just gotten corrupted.

[Jupiter_Fell Band]

KM and olddawg thanks for the response. Km you seemed to nail my problem, which sounds like it is more then just the ethernet jack on the back. This sounds like a internal issue such as a driver or the controller for the board and for what I paid for this amp I don't think it is worth it to try and fix. It sucks cause its a halfway decent amp, I not in Love with the sounds it makes and really have no use for a modelling amp anymore. I want a Peavey like y'all said something I can fix over the years.

KM you pretty much nailed it, I'm in a working band and this amp is on the fritz, I need something reliable and not shaky 1997 technology.

[km6xz]

As a working band member, getting a roadworthy rig is your stock in trade. I am not against modeling amps, particularly for cover bands working in casinos or house bands in restaurants where they have a steady gig that requires mimicking a lot of different sounds. I cringe however when a player is trying all the modeling options on every song and never develops a tone, style and presence that is unique to them as their signature. A career is not possible as a individual artist without that and kids with potential have gotten so sidetracked with these modeling amps that they never get THEIR sound or style. What else do they have to sell than their unique style? Maybe their good looks.

The amp might be easy to repair, offer some college student in electronics to split the sales price of selling it used after they fix it.
Those amps as you know were never intended to stand up to abuse that the road insults gear with so you really know what you need.
If you have a style, the gear will not make any difference in your appeal to audiences. All the real house-hold name guitar players can be identified by their style alone regardless of their amp. That is one reason you know who they are. A technically skilled player without a unique style is not a commercially viable product.

[Jupiter_Fell Band]

As a working band member, getting a roadworthy rig is your stock in trade. I am not against modeling amps, particularly for cover bands working in casinos or house bands in restaurants where they have a steady gig that requires mimicking a lot of different sounds. I cringe however when a player is trying all the modeling options on every song and never develops a tone, style and presence that is unique to them as their signature. A career is not possible as a individual artist without that and kids with potential have gotten so sidetracked with these modeling amps that they never get THEIR sound or style. What else do they have to sell than their unique style? Maybe their good looks.

The amp might be easy to repair, offer some college student in electronics to split the sales price of selling it used after they fix it.
Those amps as you know were never intended to stand up to abuse that the road insults gear with so you really know what you need.
If you have a style, the gear will not make any difference in your appeal to audiences. All the real house-hold name guitar players can be identified by their style alone regardless of their amp. That is one reason you know who they are. A technically skilled player without a unique style is not a commercially viable product.

Amen to that! The amp is not built to bad it is pretty thick board and made in USA, but I need road worthy gear and not a amp that will sidetrack me. I got her used and it was a killer deal for what I paid . Anyway I think I'm going to make it through this gig with it and move on. How does a Peavey Bandit 112 sound for a gigging amp?

The weird part about all this is that my pedalboard works perfectly the issue is that the LED's are useless as well as the LED readout. You sound familiar with this issue, will I get worse? Also one of the caps looks like it has opened up a little bit. Should I not even bother using this amp anymore based on that?

[Chuck H]

A technically skilled player without a unique style is not a commercially viable product.

That's funny AND accurate.

Frank Zappa said (back in the day of record company endorsements) that if you want to be a commercial success you had to offer something new, like a new hair style or wardrobe. The music should be distinctly average and bland. A good copy of what others are doing.