Active Guitars. Do they 'buzz' more?

FruitarGeek

I have a Fender Strat "Blackie" Edition by Eric Clapton. It's Active. When I crank the active knob past 5 or so, it starts to fuzz/distort, and have that grainy sound. Is this normal?

Bob-Dubery

Try swapping the battery out and see if that solves the problem.

AlanRatcliffe

X-rated Bob wrote: Try swapping the battery out and see if that solves the problem.

+1. Could also be your amp/FX though - the mid-boost has a lot of gain.

Fingerpicker

Or try swapping it for an acoustic. (Sorry, been at sea for 20 days now)

FruitarGeek

Ok sorry about delay. I did as instructed, but the buzz is still there. It only happens when I crank the active knob past 8 or so. But its rather audible, so much so, that I cannot play rhythm. Would it help if I recorded it so you can hear? or is this a common feat of active guitars cranked up

AlanRatcliffe

As I mentioned, the Clapton circuit has a huge gain boost (25dB), so can push almost any amp or effect way into distortion. Most players only turn 'em up to 3 or four on the dial.

FruitarGeek

Ok. So its a poor-user then ? I will be sure to crank it down

funkadelic

Not sure if this will help but I also had problems with my Schecter Omen Extreme 6 Special (EMG 81/85 active pickups). I did the 18v non-soldered mod and it cleaned things up a bit. I also NEVER push the volume button past 7 or 8. I tested it on a few tube amps.

PS: It also doesn't help that I have a solid state amp so it's in the case for now until I get a valve amp.