Ibanez AW40ECE-NT Replacement Parts

The_Jeep

Hi - I have recently acquired an Ibanez AW40ECE and need to replace a faulty preamp module and also the battery box/ jack/XLR unit at the bottom. Searching the Internet has so far turned up nothing and I'm also hoping to hear from Ibanez themselves, but I'm wondering if, in the meantime, any of you good people out there can offer any advice or suggestions. Thanks.

ICBM

If the fault is in the preamp you don’t need to replace the box/jack unit - they’re usually connected with a jumper block so you don’t even need to solder wires.

If you can’t get an exact replacement it should be possible to find something equivalent which will fit, although it will often require some work to the guitar.

The_Jeep

Thanks. The box/jack is faulty in that the battery box is held closed by tape, but more importantly the jack input doesn't work, just the XLR input, so I'm thinking that replacing the whole unit might fix both things. I have noticed that it's connected with a removable connector and I have seen some replacements online, though I can't be sure that they use the same connection.
  Regarding the preamp, it's just the tuner that isn't working, so I guess I can live with that, though it would be nice to find a replacement. I get that a differently sized unit might be the only option, hence a little work might be needed to make it fit, though it would have to be larger, not smaller?

ICBM

The_Jeep said:

Thanks. The box/jack is faulty in that the battery box is held closed by tape, but more importantly the jack input doesn't work, just the XLR input, so I'm thinking that replacing the whole unit might fix both things. I have noticed that it's connected with a removable connector and I have seen some replacements online, though I can't be sure that they use the same connection.
  Regarding the preamp, it's just the tuner that isn't working, so I guess I can live with that, though it would be nice to find a replacement. I get that a differently sized unit might be the only option, hence a little work might be needed to make it fit, though it would have to be larger, not smaller?

Yes, although looking at pics of it online it's a reasonably standard size.

The_Jeep

Thanks, I now have all the original part numbers courtesy of Ibanez USA and will be contacting the UK distributor to see what they recommend.

ICBM

The_Jeep said:

Thanks, I now have all the original part numbers courtesy of Ibanez USA and will be contacting the UK distributor to see what they recommend.

If you can’t get anything that’s a drop-in fit I have a few spare preamps and output/battery boxes left over from repair work, I’ll see if there’s anything that looks like a reasonable option.

The_Jeep

Thanks! I've actually just ordered a battery box from Germany, but am very interested in a preamp

The_Jeep

Hello ICBM - I have managed to cancel my order for the battery box pending you getting back to me. The item was costing me £35 including postage, which seems a bit expensive. If you don't have anything suitable I can replace the order. Much appreciated - I look forward to hearing from you.

ICBM

OK, I have these...



I'm not sure if that's the same model as in your guitar - it looks the same as some I can find pics of, but sometimes different versions are fitted at different times - but if it's not then the preamp needs a hole 75mm x 45mm, and the battery boxes 53mm x 40mm for the PP3 version and 51mm x 42mm for the 2xAA version (they appear to be interchangeable otherwise - no idea why I have both!).

It appears to be all complete including the undersaddle pickup. I haven't tested it yet but I doubt I would have kept it if it wasn't working - it most likely came out of a broken guitar at the shop. I will do if it looks like what you need.

I have a couple of other preamps and one other battery box/jack unit too, but the connectors are different so they might not be compatible - I thought I'd start with this one as it's got Ibanez on it .

The_Jeep

Hi - yes, I am very interested in these, but I have to wait for confirmation of my cancelled order first, which could be a few days. It would be the 2 x AA battery box that I would want - is that the one lower right? The preamp looks like mine, though there's nothing wrong with my existing pickups; it's just the tuner on the preamp that doesn't work, but I'd like to have everything working again. Are the pickups just plugged in and can they be easily disconnected from the preamp? Or do they have to be replaced at the same time as the preamp?

ICBM

I've just tested it - it works fine, and it's definitely the 3V (2xAA) version - I tried running it with the 9V PP3 box but it produces an annoying whine. I tested the tuner as best I could by sticking the pickup to the bridge of another instrument, and it appears to work correctly.

The pickup and cabling are connected inside the preamp by jumper block connectors - a bit fiddly to get at, but possible without soldering anything. You may need the tip of a very small screwdriver to push the connector clip back, so you don't strain the cable pulling on it. The pickup is actually easy to change though - it's fed through the bridge of the guitar from the underneath - whichever you find easier will work.

I'll send you the whole lot in case the tuner fault is more serious than something on the tuner board itself - I was only keeping it for spares in case I ever had to repair another one, but I've stopped doing repair work now. Very happy to wait until you're ready, it's been sitting here for long enough! I need to clear out this sort of stuff .

The_Jeep

Great, I'm happy to take all the parts discussed off your hands - how do we proceed and discuss cost? By private email?

ICBM

Yes, I’ll PM you.