Pete Alcock Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 Just refurbishing a new acquisition - an ML3000 and it's about 8 years old. 4 of the 11 VU meter bulbs have gone - looks like a few "black eyes" in the meter bridge. As far as I can see they're going to be a right pain to get to (significant desk dismantling), and quite fiddly to change. Question is do I change the four blown ones in the hope that the other 7 stay lit, or do multiple meter surgery and upgrade them all with the A&H LED upgrade mod? Anyone ever done this? Thanks, Pete. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomHoward Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 Pete, Once you've dismantled it do you have access to change all 11 pre-emptively? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mixermend Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 Replacement VU meter bulbs are no longer available from A&H - so you would have to source some wire ended bulbs from elsewhere. I would recommend the LED mod because if you just change the filament bulbs now blown, the replacements will be brighter (or dimmer) and look horrible compared to the rest. Then next week - you can be assured - some of the older ones will fail...... I have experimented with meter bulbs in the past - and have come to the conclusion that they don't last long enough, unless you under run them. Then, of course, they really aren't bright enough! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob_Beech Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 Replace them all. It.s not as big a job as it looks. Led aren't as easy on the eye though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlyfarly Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 Oh my!I have no idea how A & H construct their meter bridges but at a studio mixing desk company I used to work at we used to actually solder the festoon bulbs into their holders :unsure: .....you see the ends of the bulbs are slightly pointy and it doesn't really take much for them to pop out, so we soldered them in.As you might imagine it is a PITA to get them out when they need replacing (akin to changing Furman Rack bulbs for sheer ;) factor!). Converting to LED would obviously give better bulb longevity but like Rob, I prefer the filament type too. Also as mentioned it would definitely be a good idea to change the lot because of differing brightnesses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobbsy Posted February 24, 2010 Share Posted February 24, 2010 Well, I hate changing meter bulbs on most bits of gear and I don't find LEDs as off-putting as CharlyFarly and Rob seem to (if white is too harsh you can try yellow) so I tend to go to LED the first change then never have to do it again. I'll second the suggestion of changing everything at once whichever way you go. Caveat: This is a general comment based on about 35 years of various gear--but never actually an ML3000. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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