Korg AX1000G
The Korg AX1000G was a great bargain when it came to the novel all-in one DSP-based guitar effects boards back in the 90s.
Reboots due to suboptimal power plug
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One of the issues I had with this from the start – was that the device would frequently reboot – if the 9V barrel plug was even slightly moved. This would happen when just repositioning the effects by a few centimetres. For years I tried to fix this – trying to clean and resolder the barrel plug – but to no avail.
Today I assume the issue is that the barrel plug connector simply is not clean enough to provide a power supply stable enough when it is moved in average guitarist manner on or off-stage.
So we placed an electrolyte capacitor (16V, 680uf) across the 9V input connector inside the device, in order to provide power when intermittent disconnects appear due to movement within the barrel plug socket.
Capacitor (16V,680uf) across the barrel plug connectors. Correct polarity is critical to avoid the capacity blowing up!
This seems to have solved the issue – finally! Now I can touch and slightly move the device the former restarts.
Note this is a dirty fix, and would probably benefit from protection against voltage reversal (if you put in a power supply with wrong polarity).
Broken rubber plug that activates the “sample and play” footswitch
This switch should have always been a microswitch – in my opinion.Nevertheless, if you don’t seem to be able to enable “sample and play” or any other function that needs the foot pedal on the AX1000G to be fully pressed open, check if you are missing the blue element in the photo below:
Blue replacement plug that activates the footswitch integrated into the pedal
Should you miss the equivalent of the above plug (original will have different/black colour) – print your new one using the 3d model I provide on thingyverse.
Have more fun with your AX1000G!