I just did this myself. Same thing happened: the plate got all gummy and sticky and then broke. I had some of the same problems and this video helped. In the end, I left the metal tabs in place but bent them back to release some of the tension. Maybe that previous higher tension contributed to the plate breaking. Anyway, that allowed me to push the box against the inside enough so that I could latch the faceplate to it. Thanks for documenting this.
The trick to getting this plate on is pretty simple. The clips go on the inside. You don't need to bend them or anything. Just put the screws into the plate first. So you have the plate with all four screws set already. Push the tuner up with one hand and line up the screws. Once you get one screw in the rest will go easy.
Thanks for making this video. This happened to me a couple hours ago (2024). My faceplate was sticky and gunky but I have no idea why either. Cleaned off the gunk with a paper towel and some rubbing alcohol. Next thing I knew it just crumbled and fell in.
Thank you for the video...happened to me as well. Bought a faceplate online. It is a relatively simple replacement but you NEED TWO PEOPLE! One to press the pre-amp (with tabs) tight up against the inside of the hole with a lot of pressure to bend those tangs, the other to screw in the faceplate. Then replace the buttons and knob. Done!
Where were you able to find the faceplate online and approx how much was it? My whole faceplate disintegrated and I need the knobs as well. Please advise and thanks in advance.
Mr. Lewis, what store did you buy the faceplate from? Please share the information? I'm desperate.. I could not find it on Ebay or Amazon. Thank you in advance!
True, they go inside against the wood. But in order to have known that, you had to understand that they are acting as springs. Without them, there would probably be some looseness. With hand inside (thru soundhole), hold preamp in place, place faceplate, attach volume button (to hold faceplate) then start threading in screws. 1st one top right, 2nd left bottom and so on. Then be careful to not over tighten. Along with this, less whining and complaining. Geez..
Hi, same here on my EAG10E. one day the thing let go.. the face plate crumbled & sticky stuff. i slightly bent the spring clips to not have soo much tension inside the body. tension springs slide in sides of the amp, ears face outward. don't think my pre amp works but the tuner light goes on. has new batteries. may replace the pre amp. looking for a repair shop in Los Angeles. thanks for the video
Thanks for posting! I was having similar issues. I left the springy brackets in, but the farther out they were, the easier it was to push in...so not all the way in worked for me. As far out as possible.
I just went through the same thing with my AEG10NE BKF. The clips keep tension on the unit so the screws are secure. The clips will bend as the screws are tightened. If they are too tight you can bend them a little. Make sure that the clips slide all the way into their slots. I tightened them slowly moving a little bit on each one until they were all snug.
Figured it out...I had the same problem with re-installing the unit....Put the tangs/clips back on....they are necessary...leave the face plate OFF for now....loosen the strings enough to get your hand in the sound hole...angle the unit face down to get it inside the cut out, wires toward the rear as you get it in the cut out....Hold the unit properly aligned inside the hole with your hand INSIDE THE SOUND HOLE from the rear of the unit....controls outward as they should be.....Align the face plate to the unit, and press the volume control knob back on the pot shaft which will attach the face plate to the unit....still holding the unit inside from its rear....now align the holes of the four allen screws...still holding the unit from the rear inside the hole....install 2 of the screws "kitty cornered" which will hold the unit in place good enough to remove your hand from inside the guitar...install the other two screws and as you tighten them you'll see why the clips are necessary to hold the unit properly against the body....snug the screws good WITHOUT stripping them....VOILA! You're done! The blinking light means the tuner is activated, by the way....turn it off.....Hope this helps.....
Does anyone know the names of the metal clips used to keep the preamp resting in place? I’m trying to fix my guitar and I’m really struggling to find them.
Just had same thing happened. Hadn’t played that guitar for about 6 months and when I picked it up off stand the plate was broken and pushed inward. I thought somebody had knocked it over and not told me but after watching your video and looking at the plate more found the old plate all sticky and it just almost crumbled. Had absolutely no problem putting new plate on. The pieces you are calling tangs stay on the inside. Put one screw in just enough to get it threaded, then opposite corner. Line up unit with the hole in guitar or like I did line up the new plate with the dust ring from old one. Then put remaining two screws in and tighten opposite corners one at a time. Turn screws slowly until they stop. Took about 15 minutes including taking top three strings off and loosening bottom three and then putting strings back on and retuning. Someone with smaller hands can probably just loosen strings without removing any. Of course if you have new strings on hand it’s best time to change them.
This is one of those cases where I'm laughing with you, not at you. I have the same exact situation, and did the exact same thing initially trying to install the new face plate. At some point, I said to myself... I can't be the only one to have dealt with this issue. Let me go see if I can find something on YT. What a horrible design.
I am also in the same boat. I am absolutely shocked at the design - it's terrible! What a massive oversight by Ibanez! They should repair this issue for free - because this is not the quality we should expect from Ibanez.
Is it ok not to put those pesky tension clips on the side of the preamp? It looks like its the culprit why this thing self destructs.. im waiting for mine to come.. i bought thru ebay
What about using longer screws with the same threads to get it started? Using just two screws on opposite ends, keep turning the screws until the clips are set in place, and then put the original screws in the opposite holes. Replace the longer screws with the originals. We call it F.C.P.O.S. Thanks for the video.
My Fishman SST preamp stopped working after not playing it for about a year (guitar was several years old at the time), so we pulled everything apart to see what was wrong. Still haven't figured what's wrong, so I put it all back together with only the built-in tuner being operable ... just using it acoustically. Another year later, decided to take a stab at it again. First off, I had to adjust the counter-bow out of the neck, and then noticed the sticky/gooey faceplate, although not quite as bad as yours looked. In looking for replacement SST assembly, I found an ebay vendor selling new faceplates for $13.00, so ordered one today. I don't want to pay like $150. for a new preamp/ tuner, hell, the guitar wasn't much more when I purchased it (new) at GC. Luckily, I found a schematic for the SST unit with a google search, so wish me luck ... music-electronics-forum.com/showthread.php?t=36039&page=2
The spring leafs are there for resistance. They go on the inside and press against the wood inside the guitar. Think of the new plate and leaf springs pinching the walls of the guitar hole.
I have this same problem, you managed to fix without the chips and not released later? Didn't he get loose dancing and fall again? my put the same as you but released again, what do I do?
thanks man! I had the same issue, pretty strange thing LoL anyway, I took away those springs aswell, it is the only way to put the preamp closer to the body and then attach the plastic cover! only difference is that I used the original screws, but I also put some mini washers under the screw to keep it more steady... it works good ;-)
Can someone tell me the size and the thickness of the screws/bolts. I have the same problem, but i lost my screws and now i need to find new ones, but i dont know the exactly size. Please help me!
Thanks for your video, first one, i want say sorry for my English because is not so good.. I have a question, where I can buy a preamplifier and battery holder and can be send to mexico if I can't buy it in mexico? Thanks
Lol this video was great. So I left metal tabs I am pretty sure it pushes against the wood while the screws hold it in place with the plastic face. I fixed mine doing that.
Did the metal tabs not push too much against the guitar? It's doing that for me and I can't even line op the pre-amp with the holes? Could you let met know a good solve for this?
Hay! Bonjour! Nice to meet you! My faceplate is gummy too. I want to ask you ...what is that 3 prong female thing next to the plug inlet that goes to the amp. I wish i cud send u a pic. I used a chord that came with amp and the amp sounds like it working but not guitar. ( maybe chord is faulty) wish u was here to fix it Lol ..O i think those tabs go in the inside instead of out and faceplate goes over all of it. I think u will figure it before u read this lol
Where on earth can I get this plate as the previous one has melted..Ibanez service is awful. It would kind of u if u guide me to resolve this problem.. bro 👍
Mine has melted n I am looking for a new faceplate ...didn't expect from Ibanez..I live in India n trying hard to replace it...but not available here..
I have a question, if anyone can help me it would be great. I wan't to change the SRTN on my Ibanez acoustic guitar, but the SRTN one is discontinued. Wich kind could I use to replace that part (that will fit the shape of the hole of the SRTN original) ? Pictures avalaible if needed, sorry for my bad english. Thanks ! :)
about a month before I posted the video... you can't find anything right now.. everything is out of stock or gone because of the virus. I can't even find weights or exercise equipment... there is not much stock for anything. I can't even buy a kitchen FREEZER in los angeles.. they are all out of stock in the country
I just went through this. The secret is to bend the clips back, so that there is still some pressure to hold the preamp tight against the inside of the guitar.and the faceplate. But the clips don't need to be even close to as aggressive as they are originally. You can band them back substantially and it will make the install much easier and will still be tight once fastened. Terrible design!
Don't you find it interesting that a low end guitar with minimal markup in the first place, which everyone would think would be so obscure that there's NO WAY one might find a replacement for that plate, some how finds one?? One day I found little plastic parts all over the floor in my teaching studio, from a broken plate, and this guitar was just sitting there on a stand, and this guitar hardly gets played. (nylon string version) My take is that it seems that YOUR solution, by getting rid of those stress producing spring tangs -solves not poor engineering, but something that was supposed to get wrecked all on it's own, by the self destructing tension. My only suggestion is to find some tiny shock absorbing washers like the ones on the rack mounts and put them in. It's almost a year later to the day from your uploading this vid to my seeing it and commenting. How are you doing with it? I wonder what percentage markup is on those face plates?
@@LEARNINGCHORDS In the bottom, alongside the quarter inch out, do you also have a balanced out? (3 prong female mic jack) I think this is a stellar addition, but on 300 dollar guitar, I wonder. Later tonight, after a visit to the hardware store I'm going to do what you did but with some tiny rubber/plastic washers. - and yank out those side stress mounts.
Brooo😭😭 so you're telling me I need to take the strings off. Or losses losses up when I just put the strings in last night 💀 I didn't even get to play it and now I got to wait🥀
It's a real crappy, sticky and el cheapo thing. I hate these melting surfaces and clean up mine with ethanol ,clean plastic and txt stays on the cover.
I just did this myself. Same thing happened: the plate got all gummy and sticky and then broke. I had some of the same problems and this video helped. In the end, I left the metal tabs in place but bent them back to release some of the tension. Maybe that previous higher tension contributed to the plate breaking. Anyway, that allowed me to push the box against the inside enough so that I could latch the faceplate to it. Thanks for documenting this.
The clips go on the inside not the outside of the guitar. That is the problem that you are having.
The trick to getting this plate on is pretty simple. The clips go on the inside. You don't need to bend them or anything. Just put the screws into the plate first. So you have the plate with all four screws set already. Push the tuner up with one hand and line up the screws. Once you get one screw in the rest will go easy.
Thanks for making this video. This happened to me a couple hours ago (2024).
My faceplate was sticky and gunky but I have no idea why either.
Cleaned off the gunk with a paper towel and some rubbing alcohol. Next thing I knew it just crumbled and fell in.
Thank you for the video...happened to me as well. Bought a faceplate online. It is a relatively simple replacement but you NEED TWO PEOPLE! One to press the pre-amp (with tabs) tight up against the inside of the hole with a lot of pressure to bend those tangs, the other to screw in the faceplate. Then replace the buttons and knob. Done!
Where were you able to find the faceplate online and approx how much was it? My whole faceplate disintegrated and I need the knobs as well. Please advise and thanks in advance.
Mr. Lewis, what store did you buy the faceplate from? Please share the information? I'm desperate.. I could not find it on Ebay or Amazon. Thank you in advance!
I just got mine off ebay, they are on amazon too
Full Compass has them
Ummm. Thank you! had same exact troubles and have an Ibenez exactly like yours. Totally helped me. the design of the unit is so wacky
The exact same thing happened to my Ibanez, sticky gunk all over the tuner after not playing it for about a year, I have no idea what caused it.
Its do to cheap plastic or coating.
same problem, here!!
Same
I solved the problem with a universal degreaser, try it!
Same thing!! sticky gunk....WTF?
True, they go inside against the wood. But in order to have known that, you had to understand that they are acting as springs. Without them, there would probably be some looseness. With hand inside (thru soundhole), hold preamp in place, place faceplate, attach volume button (to hold faceplate) then start threading in screws. 1st one top right, 2nd left bottom and so on. Then be careful to not over tighten. Along with this, less whining and complaining. Geez..
J P Thank you for the knowledge
Ah...the volume knob. Before reading this, I was about to use duct tape to hold the preamp in place to insert the first screw
Hi, same here on my EAG10E. one day the thing let go.. the face plate crumbled & sticky stuff. i slightly bent the spring clips to not have soo much tension inside the body. tension springs slide in sides of the amp, ears face outward. don't think my pre amp works but the tuner light goes on. has new batteries. may replace the pre amp. looking for a repair shop in Los Angeles. thanks for the video
Thanks for posting! I was having similar issues. I left the springy brackets in, but the farther out they were, the easier it was to push in...so not all the way in worked for me. As far out as possible.
I have the STP preamp for the Ibanez AEG20E. Would this faceplate work? I can 't find the exact STP model
Friend the same thing happened to me. Where did You Buy the replacement?
I just went through the same thing with my AEG10NE BKF. The clips keep tension on the unit so the screws are secure. The clips will bend as the screws are tightened. If they are too tight you can bend them a little. Make sure that the clips slide all the way into their slots. I tightened them slowly moving a little bit on each one until they were all snug.
Thanks, I was frustrated like the video guy was until I read your post..
Figured it out...I had the same problem with re-installing the unit....Put the tangs/clips back on....they are necessary...leave the face plate OFF for now....loosen the strings enough to get your hand in the sound hole...angle the unit face down to get it inside the cut out, wires toward the rear as you get it in the cut out....Hold the unit properly aligned inside the hole with your hand INSIDE THE SOUND HOLE from the rear of the unit....controls outward as they should be.....Align the face plate to the unit, and press the volume control knob back on the pot shaft which will attach the face plate to the unit....still holding the unit inside from its rear....now align the holes of the four allen screws...still holding the unit from the rear inside the hole....install 2 of the screws "kitty cornered" which will hold the unit in place good enough to remove your hand from inside the guitar...install the other two screws and as you tighten them you'll see why the clips are necessary to hold the unit properly against the body....snug the screws good WITHOUT stripping them....VOILA! You're done! The blinking light means the tuner is activated, by the way....turn it off.....Hope this helps.....
thank you doctor D
where did you buy that replacement?
Does anyone know the names of the metal clips used to keep the preamp resting in place? I’m trying to fix my guitar and I’m really struggling to find them.
Just had same thing happened. Hadn’t played that guitar for about 6 months and when I picked it up off stand the plate was broken and pushed inward. I thought somebody had knocked it over and not told me but after watching your video and looking at the plate more found the old plate all sticky and it just almost crumbled. Had absolutely no problem putting new plate on. The pieces you are calling tangs stay on the inside. Put one screw in just enough to get it threaded, then opposite corner. Line up unit with the hole in guitar or like I did line up the new plate with the dust ring from old one. Then put remaining two screws in and tighten opposite corners one at a time. Turn screws slowly until they stop. Took about 15 minutes including taking top three strings off and loosening bottom three and then putting strings back on and retuning. Someone with smaller hands can probably just loosen strings without removing any. Of course if you have new strings on hand it’s best time to change them.
Where did you find a replacement?
This is one of those cases where I'm laughing with you, not at you. I have the same exact situation, and did the exact same thing initially trying to install the new face plate. At some point, I said to myself... I can't be the only one to have dealt with this issue. Let me go see if I can find something on YT. What a horrible design.
I am also in the same boat. I am absolutely shocked at the design - it's terrible! What a massive oversight by Ibanez!
They should repair this issue for free - because this is not the quality we should expect from Ibanez.
so where can I buy one of these covers? Thanks
Thanks for the video, I want to ask how do the knobs come off mine need to come off before I install new plate?
Where did you find a new plate? The same thing happened to my Ibanez.
www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Ibanez-Faceplate-Knob-For-Fishman-SST-Preamp-5APP01F/362398202529?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649
Hello! Same thing happened to me, where did you get the new plate? Thanks.
eBay, I just bought one. Google the product code shown on the baggy at the beginning 👌
what size threads is this?
I just put it back without a new plate. Put a couple of washers and it’s good to go.
Is it ok not to put those pesky tension clips on the side of the preamp? It looks like its the culprit why this thing self destructs.. im waiting for mine to come.. i bought thru ebay
What about using longer screws with the same threads to get it started? Using just two screws on opposite ends, keep turning the screws until the clips are set in place, and then put the original screws in the opposite holes. Replace the longer screws with the originals. We call it F.C.P.O.S. Thanks for the video.
My Fishman SST preamp stopped working after not playing it for about a year (guitar was several years old at the time), so we pulled everything apart to see what was wrong. Still haven't figured what's wrong, so I put it all back together with only the built-in tuner being operable ... just using it acoustically.
Another year later, decided to take a stab at it again. First off, I had to adjust the counter-bow out of the neck, and then noticed the sticky/gooey faceplate, although not quite as bad as yours looked. In looking for replacement SST assembly, I found an ebay vendor selling new faceplates for $13.00, so ordered one today. I don't want to pay like $150. for a new preamp/ tuner, hell, the guitar wasn't much more when I purchased it (new) at GC.
Luckily, I found a schematic for the SST unit with a google search, so wish me luck ... music-electronics-forum.com/showthread.php?t=36039&page=2
The spring leafs are there for resistance. They go on the inside and press against the wood inside the guitar. Think of the new plate and leaf springs pinching the walls of the guitar hole.
Any idea where I can get one these leaf springs? I snapped one trying to install mine
I have this same problem, you managed to fix without the chips and not released later? Didn't he get loose dancing and fall again? my put the same as you but released again, what do I do?
What equalizer is it?
thanks man! I had the same issue, pretty strange thing LoL anyway, I took away those springs aswell, it is the only way to put the preamp closer to the body and then attach the plastic cover! only difference is that I used the original screws, but I also put some mini washers under the screw to keep it more steady... it works good ;-)
Where can you buy the plate ?
Can someone tell me the size and the thickness of the screws/bolts. I have the same problem, but i lost my screws and now i need to find new ones, but i dont know the exactly size. Please help me!
Thanks for your video, first one, i want say sorry for my English because is not so good.. I have a question, where I can buy a preamplifier and battery holder and can be send to mexico if I can't buy it in mexico? Thanks
Hola, disculpa encontraste algún repuesto en México?
Lol this video was great. So I left metal tabs I am pretty sure it pushes against the wood while the screws hold it in place with the plastic face. I fixed mine doing that.
Did the metal tabs not push too much against the guitar? It's doing that for me and I can't even line op the pre-amp with the holes? Could you let met know a good solve for this?
I don't need to replace the face plate, but the batter in my preamp died. Is the battery inside the preamp casing?
yes
Where can i get one. I have the same problem. Link please
Hay! Bonjour! Nice to meet you! My faceplate is gummy too. I want to ask you ...what is that 3 prong female thing next to the plug inlet that goes to the amp. I wish i cud send u a pic. I used a chord that came with amp and the amp sounds like it working but not guitar. ( maybe chord is faulty) wish u was here to fix it Lol ..O i think those tabs go in the inside instead of out and faceplate goes over all of it. I think u will figure it before u read this lol
Anyone have a good source for getting the face plate? Got 1 from Austria shipping was 5 times the actual price...TIA
Thankyou so much! I had the same exact problem.
we all have
Thank you!
Where on earth can I get this plate as the previous one has melted..Ibanez service is awful.
It would kind of u if u guide me to resolve this problem.. bro 👍
keep searching google.. I found a place that sold it... it comes and goes but there are places that sell and ship it
Dude those are springs you took off. The keep tension so it doesn't slop around on you. They go against the inside. lol
Mine has melted n I am looking for a new faceplate ...didn't expect from Ibanez..I live in India n trying hard to replace it...but not available here..
I've been looking for that face plate where did you get it?
the internet did a search
I have a question, if anyone can help me it would be great. I wan't to change the SRTN on my Ibanez acoustic guitar, but the SRTN one is discontinued. Wich kind could I use to replace that part (that will fit the shape of the hole of the SRTN original) ? Pictures avalaible if needed, sorry for my bad english. Thanks ! :)
ty this helped alot
When did you buy the faceplate? I tried to buy this piece but i didn't find it!
about a month before I posted the video... you can't find anything right now.. everything is out of stock or gone because of the virus. I can't even find weights or exercise equipment... there is not much stock for anything. I can't even buy a kitchen FREEZER in los angeles.. they are all out of stock in the country
5APP01F
@@jonnyfish76 that yielded many more hits online than other keyword attempts I made. Nice.
I just went through this. The secret is to bend the clips back, so that there is still some pressure to hold the preamp tight against the inside of the guitar.and the faceplate. But the clips don't need to be even close to as aggressive as they are originally. You can band them back substantially and it will make the install much easier and will still be tight once fastened. Terrible design!
So…this exact problem just happened to me. I was so confused to pick up the guitar and have the preamp fall inside of the guitar…smh
i hear you
Donde la puedo comprar ????
Does anyone help me my preamp doesnt Works nd I dont know how To fix it .
Same thing happened here! It's cracked, deteriorating, and the allen screws are rusting (not in humid area, either).
It was very helpfull thanks for experience on this bad designed acord device :D
Can I buy these tangs from you?
Don't you find it interesting that a low end guitar with minimal markup in the first place, which everyone would think would be so obscure that there's NO WAY one might find a replacement for that plate, some how finds one?? One day I found little plastic parts all over the floor in my teaching studio, from a broken plate, and this guitar was just sitting there on a stand, and this guitar hardly gets played. (nylon string version)
My take is that it seems that YOUR solution, by getting rid of those stress producing spring tangs -solves not poor engineering, but something that was supposed to get wrecked all on it's own, by the self destructing tension. My only suggestion is to find some tiny shock absorbing washers like the ones on the rack mounts and put them in. It's almost a year later to the day from your uploading this vid to my seeing it and commenting. How are you doing with it?
I wonder what percentage markup is on those face plates?
@@LEARNINGCHORDS In the bottom, alongside the quarter inch out, do you also have a balanced out? (3 prong female mic jack) I think this is a stellar addition, but on 300 dollar guitar, I wonder. Later tonight, after a visit to the hardware store I'm going to do what you did but with some tiny rubber/plastic washers. - and yank out those side stress mounts.
How to fix preamp body huehue because mine it cracks and also the sound has loosen also hmm whats your tip thanks Godbless
go buy some new glasses!
@@LEARNINGCHORDS how much it was?
@@LEARNINGCHORDS even my preamp is still working hmm my preamp have crack on screws but still working still.
mine worked too but would not stay mounted- I am not sure it was a couple years ago I found it online for about 25 dollars
Thr metal clips come out and you install them from the outside
thanks
Have the same problem
Great video! Lifesaving! What a horrible design. Part shouldn't have broken in the first place!
Freakin' Ibanez stupid ass design. I have the same problem. I share your frustration and I love you banter along with the dogs.
Mine did the exact same thing!! Biodegradable plastic i guess.
P.s. i need ur wire cutters for my strings Hahahahahahahahaha
Brooo😭😭 so you're telling me I need to take the strings off. Or losses losses up when I just put the strings in last night 💀
I didn't even get to play it and now I got to wait🥀
Correct
This could have been me making this video. I love your humanness and utter frustration with this pure crap design from Ibanez.
Glad I could help!
This exact thing happened to me just minutes ago. Wtf.
00:09 3:56 4:43 4:55 5:03 5:21
That’s what she said!
No ! No ! the clips have to be inside and press against the box, to then screw the plastic cover !
What a pain in the ass, i have on that needs work too. Poor design
That was entertaining..... HA!
It's a real crappy, sticky and el cheapo thing. I hate these melting surfaces and clean up mine with ethanol ,clean plastic and txt stays on the cover.
Lol ... Didnt help at all .. but it was it was very funny ... Should have been entitled how NOT to fit said preamp
yeap crazy design - bend those mofo springs hard back - then job done - frustrating
Garbage design garbage axe great video lol
I love it
painful lol smh