Taylor Guitar 410 CE volume knob fix

Fix for a Taylor Acoustic Guitar 410 CE with scratchy volume knob and volume not working. The preamp board was version ES 1.1 and had a bad POT. This video walks through the preamp removal and replacement of a the bad POT with working alternate since these boards can no longer be replaced.

[@jimavegrv]

Brilliant repair. Thank you very much for sharing the technique of swapping the pot’s jacket with that of the original; and for saving me hours comparing the part’s specs and doing all the research. I have an old expression 1.1 board in my 11 year old Taylor 616, and although the volume pot is not scratchy or noisy, the guitar cuts out at least one time during an hour set. When I adjust the volume control, the sound returns. I’m certainly hoping it’s a defective volume pot.

[@shaneperche-fixed-it]

Thanks. It sure sounds like it might be a pot issue with your 616 especially since it works after you adjust it. Even though I said I was going to swap the pot's jacket in the video, I didn't end up doing that in the end since it was solid enough with the three pins and I didn't feel like it needed to be anchored with the jacket pins which is not essential. The only part that I didn't really show that well in the video is shortening the pins on the pot. There was a bit of a offset on the pins close to the pot side that I had to shorten to match up with the existing pots so I used wire cutters and clipped it a few millimeters on each side. It will probably make more sense when you are about to solder it in place. Good luck!

[@jimavegrv]

Yes, I've finally decided to order 3 of these pots you recommend. I appreciate your reply --- what you did not need to do, and your caveat on pin length.
I think that I'll get thru the repair once I start.
And after that I'll work on replacing the 2 body sensor mics/transducers, which haven't worked for years. the wires to the BS elements fatigued (I Believe) and broke from the BS's. Just need a new harness.
Thanks for sharing your valuable resources and experience of this repair - Jim@@shaneperche-fixed-it

[@Zemiltube]

Thanks! You're very clever 🙏 I now have hope to salvage mine...

[@pansaeng]

Thanks for sharing. , I got the same problem on Taylor T5 preamp system. I ordered RK09L1140A2U. It doesn't have a middle point.

[@ColinTyler-b5j]

Hi,
Great video, thanks for sharing.
Quick question - Are all of the pots the same spec on the ES1 system?
Thanks
Colin

[@shaneperche-fixed-it]

Thanks for the feedback. Yes, all three pots are the same on the ES1 system.

[@ColinTyler-b5j]

@@shaneperche-fixed-it Thanks for your help

[@210bene]

I noticed that you didn't solder the two potentiometer ground.

[@210bene]

Does that potentiometer that you used there in ES 1.1 also work for the Taylor 214 CE board that has the ES-2 system?

[@circadevices]

Thanks for sharing, also need to fix the volume pot. It looks like the pot is now backward? Turning CW turns the volume down and CCW increases the volume? Not a big deal, just checking. Thanks again for sharing!

[@shaneperche-fixed-it]

No problem. Even though I bent the pins back to fit, this pot and fix resulted in the original volume control orientation. CW for volume up and CCW for volume down.

[@romeroramirez9656]

are removing the knobs the same on the 814ce? just wanna be sure before i attempt to remove mine lol

[@shaneperche-fixed-it]

Yes, the knobs on the 814 CE pop off the same way. I recommend using a plastic guitar clip to pry them off so you don't scratch the wood.

[@romeroramirez9656]

thanks!😄

[@suenapablogt]

Where can I buy that knob ?

[@shaneperche-fixed-it]

I bought mine at mouser here: www.mouser.ca/ProductDetail/Alps-Alpine/RK09L114001T?qs=Xb8IjHhkxj78e5CYccfZWg%3D%3D but it looks like they're back ordered.