Troubleshooting & Repairs

Before requesting a Return Authorization (RA), please walk through these steps. 90% of issues are resolved here.

1. The Power Test

  • Voltage & Polarity: Are you using a 9V DC Center-Negative regulated power supply? Using an AC adapter or high-voltage supply (12V/18V) on a 9V circuit can cause immediate damage and voids the warranty.

  • Isolation: If you are using a "daisy chain" cable, unplug it and use a dedicated, isolated power output. Digital or high-draw pedals on the same chain can cause hum, whining, or signal drop-out.

2. The Cable Audit

  • Direct Connection: Remove the pedal from your board. Plug your guitar directly into the pedal "In" and the pedal "Out" directly into your amp.

  • Swap Leads: If the signal is dead, swap both patch cables for known-working leads. Most "broken" pedals are actually just a failed solder joint in a patch cable.

3. Settings & Controls

  • Input/Output Logic: Ensure your cables aren't swapped (Guitar must go to the Right side "In").

  • Zeroed Knobs: Verify that Volume and Gain knobs are turned up. Some circuits (especially fuzzes or high-gain drives) may completely cut the signal if a specific knob is at zero.

4. Amp & Guitar Verification

  • The "Clean" Test: Plug your guitar directly into your amp to ensure your amp's input jack or your guitar's output jack hasn't failed.

  • Active Pickups: If your guitar has active pickups, check the battery. A dying 9V in your guitar can sound like a "sputtering" or "gating" pedal.

5. Grounding & Noise Issues

  • The "Ground Lift" Switch: If your tre_audio pedal or amp is equipped with a Ground Lift switch, try toggling it. This is specifically designed to break ground loops that cause a loud, low-frequency hum (60Hz buzz) when connecting multiple pieces of gear (like an ABY setup or a DI-Box).

  • The 60Hz Hum: If you hear a constant buzz that changes when you touch your guitar strings, you likely have a grounding issue in your building's wiring or a "ground loop" between your amp and pedalboard.

  • Power Source: Ensure your amp and pedal power supply are plugged into the same wall outlet/power strip to minimize the potential for ground loops.

  • Fluorescent Lights & Dimmers: Modern LED dimmers and old fluorescent lights can "leak" noise into your pickups. Turn off nearby lights to see if the noise disappears before blaming the pedal or amp.

Important Notice

  • Bench Fee: If a product is returned for repair and found to be in perfect working order after passing our bench test, a $50 Bench Fee plus return shipping costs will be charged.

  • Tampering: Opening the enclosure or adjusting internal trim pots/components will void your warranty.

WARRANTY & REPAIRS

We stand behind our builds. If your pedal is defective or damaged due to a manufacturing error, we will repair or replace it at no cost to you within the first one year of purchase. Amps have a limited lifetime warranty.

  • To initiate a repair, please email tre@treaudio.com with your order number and a description of the issue.

  • Warranty does not cover damage caused by using the wrong power supply, physical abuse, or unauthorized modifications.

REFUNDS & EXCHANGES

Because our items are handcrafted in small batches, all sales are final. We do not offer refunds for "change of mind". Please ensure you have researched the product and asked any technical questions before purchasing.

  • Please research the product, watch demos, and ask any technical questions before making your purchase.

  • In the rare event that a return is authorized for a non-defective item, it must be unused, in the original packaging, and subject to a 15% restocking fee to cover inspection and re-testing.

  • Original shipping costs are non-refundable, and the customer is responsible for all return shipping fees.