The Most Beautiful B – Access Virus B Restoration

This Access Virus B Desktop was recently purchased from eBay. The listing claimed it was in good working condition, and after receiving and testing the unit, we found that to be mostly true — functionally, it checked out. However, like many synths of this age, it was in need of maintenance, cleaning, and that special Captain Black touch.

Initial Assessment

Out of the box, the Virus B showed its age. All knobs were dirty, greasy, and filled with oil and dirt from years of use. The chassis was dirty, with minor paint wear and grime throughout. The tacts generally worked well, and while the synth booted and passed audio, it was not in a state we'd consider acceptable for resale.

• All audio outputs worked and were assignable in multimode.
• MIDI communication and basic panel controls were functional.
• No signs of firmware instability.

Pro Tip: If you're trying to clean dirty/greasy Virus knobs, we recommend hot water from your sink, a lot of dish soap, and an overnight soak to begin with. In phase 2, you'll again use hot water and soap, but this time you want to heat it on the stove until it's too hot to keep your hand in for long. If you boil them, you can ruin them, so be careful and proceed at your own risk. The trick is getting them close to a boil and then pulling away to scrub with a brush and then rinse in warm water and let dry overnight on a paper towel. Make sure they are 100% dry before placing them back on your unit, as any water that runs down the D-shaft into the pot *WILL* ruin that pot. We always wash first and let them sit for a few days on their side before reattaching to the unit.

Restoration Process

Once opened, the condition of the interior confirmed the unit had never been serviced. The original capacitor was still installed in the power supply — a known failure point for Virus B/C models. The tacts were factory-original. We replaced or cleaned every problem area to return this unit to a state of long-term reliability.

• Tact Switches: All 30 tact switches were replaced with new high-quality units rated for 1 million clicks. Responsiveness is now in "like-new" condition.
• Power Supply Cap: Replaced the original Nippon Chemi-Con filter cap with a Panasonic EEU-FR1E101 — low ESR and excellent thermal characteristics.
• Battery: Installed a fresh Energizer CR2032 for long-term memory retention.
• Chassis Cleanup: Cleaned all surfaces with alcohol and/or degreaser; no paint correction was done, but the unit now presents cleanly.
• Knob Reinstallation: Reinstalled original knobs and buttons after cleaning. All sit flush and look/feel fantastic.

Outcome

We've restored dozens of Virus B units, and this is by far the cleanest desktop example we've handled in recent years. It's stable, reliable, and every interface element responds as it should. There are still some light signs of age, but functionally this is about as close to "new" as a Virus B gets.

This project reflects a focused restoration aimed at addressing common aging issues in Access Virus B desktops. All work was performed using industry-standard components, with a focus on long-term reliability and functional correctness.

The information provided in this blog post by Captain Black's Gear Emporium is for educational and informational purposes only. Repairing synthesizer components involves risks, including potential damage to your equipment, personal injury, or voiding manufacturer warranties. These repairs should only be performed by individuals with the necessary skills, tools, and experience. Proceed at your own risk.