Hi. I just got an Optigan and a bunch of disks. It wasn't working when I got it. I got the motor to turn and with a little work it now will play (sort of). However, the effects section is a little iffy. Number 1 switch does not work and the effects are very quiet compared to the chords and keyboard. The trim pot adjusts the chords but it doesn't seem to do much for the effects. Some of the solder on that preamp is pretty dull and crusty, but the organ as a whole is pretty clean. I figure I will have to disassemble to fix the switch at some point. Any ideas for boosting the effects? I want to play it for a while before I take it apart. I ordered optidocs. I'm just impatient. Thanks. This site is great.

I'm currently in the process of fixing my O #2 and I noticed the same thing with the chord-SE side trim pot compared to the keys side one. I've pretty much reduced my issue to either a lacking connection-contact on the left channel speaker (wire running from amp) and/ or a bad amp on the left channel. I'm getting left channel distortion on the chord buttons and SE switches when played externally. However, when I play the O with headphones in, zero distortion on the left channel. Ah, the joys of ownership (ha)...

What happens when you dial the overall balance mostly to the left? Does your left channel volume/ SE volume go up at all? Also, do you get better volume if you touch or press up gently on the dial in a more left position?

As you've determined, that switch is likely bad. My O #1 has a very quiet SE 1 switch compared to all the others and I'm more than clueless as to why.

Most of the chords are really loud. It seems like the effects and the chords on the lower left are quieter. Chords like A and G almost completely drown out the effects. Seems like the drums should be louder.

Bulb was just pushed in too far. Not enough light was getting to the outer rings of the disk. I'm an idiot. But maybe someone else is too and this will help. Now if I could just get the tension on the idler shaft right...... I'm pretty sure all the rubber bands hooked up to it is not a very good solution. But it is dead quiet and works perfect once I can get it in the right spot.

And just working the #1 fx switch side to side a bit got it going again.