Hi, I'm new.

Hi, I'm new.

I got a theremin for christmas-- a Kees Enkelaar. When I got it, (two days ago: it took a long to get here) I was on top of the world.It was awesome for the two days that it worked. Then, today, I accidentally zapped it with static electricity.

It doesn't work anymore, obviously, and I am in tears. What should I do?

I've already emailed Kees...

Thanks.

You've done what you can. Most people say Kees is very supportive to people with difficulties. Hang in there, tell us about how it goes.

Then, go buy anti-static spray, and spray your home. Make sure to read on the can how long it lasts so you can re-spray when necessary. Also start using dryer sheets with your laundry - they help eliminate static as well. If you're getting enough static that you're killing electronics, you have a static *problem* that you want to take care of.

Welcome Bran Muffin! I'm sorry to here about your problem.
It seems the JFET transistors used in the Silicon Chip theremin, which is the main PC board of the Kees, are especially susceptible to this kind of damage. You can replace them if you, or someone you know, are handy with a soldering iron. The transistor number is NTE451.
Of course you should wait to hear what Kees has to say before proceeding.

Good luck. I thought I had the sem thing happen to me in the middle og a gig. (It turns out that the guiter player accidentally stepped on my power supply and knocked it loose just a tad.)

I was pretty upset when the theremin solos came and went with no sound coming from the Etherwave.

I hear Kees is good about support so things should turn out OK.

Your instrument will most likely be fine with a couple of components replaced.

Thank you for the help! Kees hasn't replied to my email yet, but he probably will soon.

When the theremin arrived, an extra transistor came with it (thank god). However, it doesn't match the "NTE451" that Jeff suggested. Inside the theremin itself, the number is "2N5484". Who knows. I'll wait until Kees emails me back.

Thanks again for the input, (lol, subtle theremin pun) I'll see what happens.

The 2N5484 matches to an NTE451.

http://nte01.nteinc.com/nte/NTExRefSemiProd.nsf/69d5aa3584d015ce85256e780056e56f?CreateDocument

The 2N5484 also matches to:

ECG312, 2SK104, 2SK168, 2SK55, MPF-102

http://www.ionpool.net/arcade/tech/semi_cross.html

I just did a Yahoo search on 2N5484+"cross reference" and NTE451+"cross reference"

You have to pay for cross-reference software to match an NTE part number to other part numbers however don't have to pay to match from a part number to an NTE part number.

Thanks Kevin! I didn't want to lead anyone up the wrong path. I thought those where the JFETS I bought for the Kees. Otherwise, I'd have no idea why I had them.

Awesome.

It works now, and no soldering was required. We just replaced a transistors until it worked.

So now I have a distinct phobia of static electricity.

Huzzah!

Wow!, I am glad it is working again.

I also just got a Kees and also just toasted my transistor.

I then replaced the transistor only to fry it again less than 30 minutes later.

I have alot of static electricity at hom.. I'm constantly getting shocks.

Is there some mod that can be done to shunt static shocks to the volume antennae down to the mic stand or something.. away from the transitor?

Static has been a problem around my house since we moved in.. Shag carpets, dry air, leather slippers.. I don't know if ther eis much i can do to prevent sparks.. so something to shield the circuit board would be an ideal solution.

~r