Mellotronists

I am sure many of you have gear out there with backlit displays that 
over time grow dark.  Anyone researching a new backlight knows how 
costly they can be,  if they are available.  What few seem to tell 
you is there is a very reasonable fix available which involves 
replacing just the foil panel. I just completed work on backlights 
for 2 Korg 01/w's, my EmulatorII, Roland S-10, and Akai s-2800. Cost 
of material for all: $13.00 and postage from China.  Getting to and 
replacing foil can be another story, depending on unit.  On my EII, 
removed top cover, 2 I.C. boards, unsoldered old foil, slid out, cut 
new piece and installed connectors, slid in, soldered and re-
assembled, all less than an hour, and now have a very readable 
display with same blue background as factory display. The Korg is 
another story, you have to remove all the guts, disconnect the old 
display, carefully remove cover, and slide the new one over it and 
reconnect everything, about 3 hours. Good news is the blue display 
is easier to read than the factory green.  Some Yamaha units have 
similar displays.  All in all an easy fix for an irritating problem. 
I have seen several companies that sell pre-cut displays for more 
than the whole sheet costs, but to my knowledge this foil is made in 
China, and you can buy direct from their distributor.  
Search :cooltronix for info, comes in several colors.  Hope some 
find this info useful.....Doug

I have purchased a light panel from Telesis for my Wavestation and it 
looks great...it wasn't that expensive but definitely more than 13 
bucks:)


--- In Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com, "Doug Berg" <caddyfam@...> 
wrote:
>
> I am sure many of you have gear out there with backlit displays 
that 
> over time grow dark.  Anyone researching a new backlight knows how 
> costly they can be,  if they are available.  What few seem to tell 
> you is there is a very reasonable fix available which involves 
> replacing just the foil panel. I just completed work on backlights 
> for 2 Korg 01/w's, my EmulatorII, Roland S-10, and Akai s-2800. 
Cost 
> of material for all: $13.00 and postage from China.  Getting to and 
> replacing foil can be another story, depending on unit.  On my EII, 
> removed top cover, 2 I.C. boards, unsoldered old foil, slid out, 
cut 
> new piece and installed connectors, slid in, soldered and re-
> assembled, all less than an hour, and now have a very readable 
> display with same blue background as factory display. The Korg is 
> another story, you have to remove all the guts, disconnect the old 
> display, carefully remove cover, and slide the new one over it and 
> reconnect everything, about 3 hours. Good news is the blue display 
> is easier to read than the factory green.  Some Yamaha units have 
> similar displays.  All in all an easy fix for an irritating 
problem. 
> I have seen several companies that sell pre-cut displays for more 
> than the whole sheet costs, but to my knowledge this foil is made 
in 

> China, and you can buy direct from their distributor.  
> Search :cooltronix for info, comes in several colors.  Hope some 
> find this info useful.....Doug
>

--- In Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com, "charel196" <charel196@...> 
wrote:
>
> I have purchased a light panel from Telesis for my Wavestation and 
it 
> looks great...it wasn't that expensive but definitely more than 13 
> bucks:)
> 
> 
>RE: I just got a rush job and ordered thru them, got it next day and 
it fit like a charm,  around $35, and for extra 2 bucks they give you 
step by step instructions with pictures, well laid out. As long as you 
know what not to do, it is a simple fix.