Back in the 80's I worked on a commercial salvage boat out of Key West looking for Spanish Treasure. I had a Rockman to play around with in my bunk at night. Never did I dream that it would be an ancient treasure when I got in my 60's. The Spanish Galleon was named the Nuestra Senora Atocha. Half a billion in treasure.
I get the same reaction when mates put headphones on & start playing my x100 it’s such an amazing bit of gear & love peoples reaction to that awesome sound
The frequency response of the original headphones was designed to enhance the sound of the headphone amp; somewhere on line years ago, I read a post about suggested settings for an eq pedal to complement this unit if you don't have the original phones.
Cool,,2minutes in,,that's the Soloist,,still got one. Also I have the Sustainer. In a box of old "toe bombs" in the closet. next to the '71 Fender Bandmaster TFL5005D,,,MesaBoogie DC-3 and Two cases of Reel to Reel tapes!! few still got factory wrap on them. OLD Treasures. ✌🏼
Nice video - had one of those when they came out, great sounding device especially considered when it was released! I also looks (and sounds) like you're playing a Tele with a B-Bender, but it doesn't look like a Fender. Can you give us a little more information on the guitar you're using?
Hi Chris, The guitar is a Warmoth telecaster that I made for myself several years ago. It has a parson's green bender by hipshot installed, which I did myself. If I remember correctly, it has Lollar pickups, a compensated three saddle bridge, and planet waves locking tuners. It's a very nice guitar.
Thanks for the video! I still have mine, but it's needs some major overhaul. I bought it from a friend back in the late 80's, the audio comes out only on one side of the headset on both Headphone inputs. The power adapter is also in bad shape and shorts out. There's absolutely nothing on the internet for an aftermarket replacement adapter which is a 6Volt 200ma. I wish I could find someone who knows how to restore this thing. I was smart enough to buy all the Rackmount Modules and they're still in great shape, so I can always bust them out if I need to for recordings. Any suggestions on what I should do with the Rockman?
Well, depends on where you are and if there are some good electronics tecs nearby. You'll need someone who is part electrical engineer and part watchmaker with these things. The power supply should be easy to fix. The problem with one channel missing would be much harder to debug. However, my money is on a bad electrolytic coupling cap in the signal path somewhere.
Hi there, I'm actually full time on pedals with my company Mayfly Audio. Regarding your rockman, it's probably best if you found someone local to your area to look at it. Anything that's fixable is pretty straightforward, and the things that are not fixable (replacing the unobtainable delay chips) no one can fix anyway :)
Sure, but it might be better to find someone more local to your area. If you need to contact me just use the contact page on the Mayfly Audio website www.mayflyaudio.com
Hi there, Sadly I don't have time for this type of repair these days. To busy with my pedal company. I recommend that you find someone local to you to have a look at it.
hey mr mayfly great stuff. i have a 1984 soloist and i cant get it to play distortion. i audio probed it and found the distortion on the input pcb. i tried to trace it over to the output pcb but cant find it. i might add that the ribbon on my has been replaced by small wires going to thgeir appropriate spots. if theres any wisdom you you can bestow about this problem i would appreciate it greatly. rock on man
Thanks! Regarding your soloist, in general problems with old electronics are usually the electro-mechanical things rather than the electronics, although there are always exceptions (electrolytic caps for example). iI you suspect the PCB connecting wires, just try to probe on both sides of them to see if you can find the missing signal.
I bought a soloist yesterday for $5 don't know if it works though two of the switches front switches are stuck with old battery acid I accidentally took the metal part housing on the switch off, but was able to clean it I shouldn't have a problem getting it back on right?
er, well it depends on what you mean exactly. If you already have a rockman and just want an enclosure around it, that should not be to bad. Your best bet would be to find a local tech to do that for you. If you want to re-create a rockman, re-designed in a guitar pedal, there are a bunch of issues with that. First, that would require re-verse engineering a loaner unit and would likely take hundreds of hours of engineering time (not to mention destroying an original unit). The next issued is that the original used chips that are now obsolete - you can't buy them. Well, you can buy some of them, but certainly not a complete set. The third issue is that someone else owns the rights to the design, which means that licensing fees would have to be paid. Especially as you'd have to sell a LOT of them to re-coup those hundreds of hours of engineering time. If that's what you are looking for then, I'm not sure if it would be worth it to you :)
Hi there, I can't remember the part number off hand, but I give it in the video. As to where it came from, my buddy Bill (a professional electronics buyer) found it. He's not telling where!
As cheap and fragile as these were they did sound amazing! I owned several back in the 80's( they broke real easy!) and still think the clean tone is one of the best. Now in 2021 i use something called WAZA air headphones which are like a rockman on steroids. it is a full Katana amp with effects but in a headphone set. I can get them to sound like the Rockman X100 so i am good to go! 👽
These were NEVER cheaply made or FRAGILE. That's why they still work 40+ years later. The only ones that are of questionable quality are the current ones made by Dunlop. Scholz NEVER made junk !
Hi John, Sure thing but depending on where you are in the world it might be better to find someone local. If you'd like to talk further, just send me a quick note from the contact page on my website and we can have a private conversation about it.: www.mayflyaudio.com/contact/
Unfortunately (fortunately?) the unit is back with it's happy owner so I no longer have access to it to reverse engineer a schematic. However, I do know that those units used ICs that are no longer in production. Cloning it would mean re-engineering it from the ground up.
No way!? I run my XPRa thru a rocktron power amp + effects units and I still can't find anything that compares and trust me I've tried almost every cheap and expensive unit out there.
If you're local to Ottawa, sure. Otherwise, you'd be better off finding a local tech to look at it. Warning though, with the battery acid there might be several components damaged.
@@mayflyamp good news it works it took hours of contact cleaner and slowly working the rust and acid out for the switches to move, I'd still like to get the switches replaced but can't find the parts you mentioned, it would really help if it's possible for you to send a link if available to the switches they are the same I believe as the one you repaired .5 A 125V it would be a huge help thanks
@@mayflyamp I got it working but not sure how long the switches will last there are two 3 way and 2 2 way switches on mine my question is do you have a specific supplier of the switches that I can contact because the only online supplier I contacted only sells in a quantity of 500 any help would be appreciated I don't mind paying shipping to the US just want to keep my rockman going thanks
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Back in the 80's I worked on a commercial salvage boat out of Key West looking for Spanish Treasure. I had a Rockman to play around with in my bunk at night. Never did I dream that it would be an ancient treasure when I got in my 60's.
The Spanish Galleon was named the Nuestra Senora Atocha. Half a billion in treasure.
I get the same reaction when mates put headphones on & start playing my x100 it’s such an amazing bit of gear & love peoples reaction to that awesome sound
Had three , all great kept one with power supply into (2) DSL 100's Stereo . Never Looked Back !
😅😅😅
Your face when trying it! Priceless!
Cool video
What are the approx. dimensions of the circuit boards?
The frequency response of the original headphones was designed to enhance the sound of the headphone amp; somewhere on line years ago, I read a post about suggested settings for an eq pedal to complement this unit if you don't have the original phones.
I use my rockman with the sony mdxr headphones and sounds like the hysteria album
Cool,,2minutes in,,that's the Soloist,,still got one. Also I have the Sustainer. In a box of old "toe bombs" in the closet. next to the '71 Fender Bandmaster TFL5005D,,,MesaBoogie DC-3 and Two cases of Reel to Reel tapes!! few still got factory wrap on them. OLD Treasures. ✌🏼
That's the original rockman not the soloist that came later
Nice video - had one of those when they came out, great sounding device especially considered when it was released! I also looks (and sounds) like you're playing a Tele with a B-Bender, but it doesn't look like a Fender. Can you give us a little more information on the guitar you're using?
Hi Chris, The guitar is a Warmoth telecaster that I made for myself several years ago. It has a parson's green bender by hipshot installed, which I did myself. If I remember correctly, it has Lollar pickups, a compensated three saddle bridge, and planet waves locking tuners. It's a very nice guitar.
That's not just any foam dust....that's 1980s VINTAGE foam dust!
Thanks for the video! I still have mine, but it's needs some major overhaul. I bought it from a friend back in the late 80's, the audio comes out only on one side of the headset on both Headphone inputs. The power adapter is also in bad shape and shorts out. There's absolutely nothing on the internet for an aftermarket replacement adapter which is a 6Volt 200ma. I wish I could find someone who knows how to restore this thing. I was smart enough to buy all the Rackmount Modules and they're still in great shape, so I can always bust them out if I need to for recordings. Any suggestions on what I should do with the Rockman?
Well, depends on where you are and if there are some good electronics tecs nearby. You'll need someone who is part electrical engineer and part watchmaker with these things. The power supply should be easy to fix. The problem with one channel missing would be much harder to debug. However, my money is on a bad electrolytic coupling cap in the signal path somewhere.
Are you still working on pedals? I just acquired one of these and it could use some tlc.
Hi there, I'm actually full time on pedals with my company Mayfly Audio. Regarding your rockman, it's probably best if you found someone local to your area to look at it. Anything that's fixable is pretty straightforward, and the things that are not fixable (replacing the unobtainable delay chips) no one can fix anyway :)
Wow! Very cool. Hey, if my Rockman ever needs servicing will you be up for it? If so, how do I contact you? Thanks!
Sure, but it might be better to find someone more local to your area. If you need to contact me just use the contact page on the Mayfly Audio website www.mayflyaudio.com
My X100 won't do anything, years ago used the crap out if it as a preamp. How much to fix?
Hi there, Sadly I don't have time for this type of repair these days. To busy with my pedal company. I recommend that you find someone local to you to have a look at it.
I've got one of these. Just fired it up after 30 years, but the right channel seems to be dead.
Any way to repair that easily?
Well, it depends on what's wrong with it. With these things however, it's usually electro-mechanical. I'd look at replacing that output jack.
I have lost my screws What type of screws are used for the case?
Hi there, I did this repair years ago so this is completely from (fuzzy) memory. Seems to me that they were #6 pan-head 1 inch wood screws. YMMV.
@@mayflyamp Thank you. I found my Rockman after years of being stored in the attic. I had the screws out because I was repairing it
Hey hey it’s Fdesalvo from unofficialw. Nice work!
Thanks buddy!!
hey mr mayfly great stuff. i have a 1984 soloist and i cant get it to play distortion. i audio probed it and found the distortion on the input pcb. i tried to trace it over to the output pcb but cant find it. i might add that the ribbon on my has been replaced by small wires going to thgeir appropriate spots. if theres any wisdom you you can bestow about this problem i would appreciate it greatly. rock on man
Thanks! Regarding your soloist, in general problems with old electronics are usually the electro-mechanical things rather than the electronics, although there are always exceptions (electrolytic caps for example). iI you suspect the PCB connecting wires, just try to probe on both sides of them to see if you can find the missing signal.
I bought a soloist yesterday for $5 don't know if it works though two of the switches front switches are stuck with old battery acid I accidentally took the metal part housing on the switch off, but was able to clean it I shouldn't have a problem getting it back on right?
Can you put the rock man in a pedal box if so how much
er, well it depends on what you mean exactly. If you already have a rockman and just want an enclosure around it, that should not be to bad. Your best bet would be to find a local tech to do that for you.
If you want to re-create a rockman, re-designed in a guitar pedal, there are a bunch of issues with that. First, that would require re-verse engineering a loaner unit and would likely take hundreds of hours of engineering time (not to mention destroying an original unit). The next issued is that the original used chips that are now obsolete - you can't buy them. Well, you can buy some of them, but certainly not a complete set. The third issue is that someone else owns the rights to the design, which means that licensing fees would have to be paid. Especially as you'd have to sell a LOT of them to re-coup those hundreds of hours of engineering time.
If that's what you are looking for then, I'm not sure if it would be worth it to you :)
What is the source and part number for the switch
Hi there, I can't remember the part number off hand, but I give it in the video. As to where it came from, my buddy Bill (a professional electronics buyer) found it. He's not telling where!
@mayflyamp lol. He must be selling them or repairing using them. My background is electronics and know I will find them somewhere
As cheap and fragile as these were they did sound amazing! I owned several back in the 80's( they broke real easy!)
and still think the clean tone is one of the best. Now in 2021 i use something called WAZA air headphones which are like a rockman on steroids. it is a full Katana amp with effects but in a headphone set.
I can get them to sound like the Rockman X100 so i am good to go! 👽
Is there any way you can export those settings using the Boss Tone Studio app to share?
These were NEVER cheaply made or FRAGILE. That's why they still work 40+ years later. The only ones that are of questionable quality are the current ones made by Dunlop. Scholz NEVER made junk !
I have one too that needs a little TLC....any chance I could hire you to look at it?
Hi John, Sure thing but depending on where you are in the world it might be better to find someone local. If you'd like to talk further, just send me a quick note from the contact page on my website and we can have a private conversation about it.: www.mayflyaudio.com/contact/
Very cool, wish I had my old one!!🥲
Yeah you could sell it on ebay for $500! that is what they are fetching these days!
Dude, I wish someone would clone this thing.
Unfortunately (fortunately?) the unit is back with it's happy owner so I no longer have access to it to reverse engineer a schematic. However, I do know that those units used ICs that are no longer in production. Cloning it would mean re-engineering it from the ground up.
@@mayflyamp Look up a Nobels sound studio SST-1. Rockman sued them back in the days.
So, if my Rockman soloist ever breaks down from wear, can you be the man to help me out? 🥳
Hi there! I sure could, but it's probably better to find a repair person local to you. I'm getting pretty busy these days with my pedal company.
@@mayflyamp oh I understand, the problem is I just wouldn’t know where to look 😅
I still have my full stack XPR rig:)
No way!? I run my XPRa thru a rocktron power amp + effects units and I still can't find anything that compares and trust me I've tried almost every cheap and expensive unit out there.
These are fetching $500+ on ebay these days? who would have ever thought?
I just bought 2 off Reverb for $350!!
Would you be willing to look at my rockman soloist to repair?
If you're local to Ottawa, sure. Otherwise, you'd be better off finding a local tech to look at it. Warning though, with the battery acid there might be several components damaged.
@@mayflyamp good news it works it took hours of contact cleaner and slowly working the rust and acid out for the switches to move, I'd still like to get the switches replaced but can't find the parts you mentioned, it would really help if it's possible for you to send a link if available to the switches they are the same I believe as the one you repaired .5 A 125V it would be a huge help thanks
@@mayflyamp I got it working but not sure how long the switches will last there are two 3 way and 2 2 way switches on mine my question is do you have a specific supplier of the switches that I can contact because the only online supplier I contacted only sells in a quantity of 500 any help would be appreciated I don't mind paying shipping to the US just want to keep my rockman going thanks
@@michaelvasquez8556 I think I got those at mouser
Tom Scholz is a MAJOR TOOL!