Please help fix my guitar!!!

CDK2426

Hi all...

Please can someone help!!!

I have a venson electric guitar with active pick ups.

The problem is that when I plug it into the amp, I can play for maybe 20 seconds and then the sound dies.

I have checked the battery and it is fine. I have check the amp and it is also fine. I have plugged the guitar into another amp and same problem.

If anyone can help I would gladly appreciate it.

Thanks

Gearhead

Your battery is not fine?

Big-G

Have you actually tried a different battery?

Some batteries will show 9v on a meter, but as soon as they come under load, this will drop rapidly. Before you start getting stuck into trying to find issues that may not actually be an issue, for the sake of the cost of a battery, change it for a fresh one.

I hope that this is the issue, but let us know so the boffins here can crack open the issue pot! ?

The description of the fading sound certainly sounds like a duff battery that isn't handling the load.

Regards
G!

CDK2426

Will go get a new battery tomorrow and let you know.. Have been using a rechargable one, so hold thumbs that has been a problem...

Will let you know...

Big-G

Ok, its looking most likely then that that's the issue. Rechargables are notorious for voltage drop, especially under load. Get yourself a decent alkaline like a Duracell or Energiser. Cheap 'no name' alkalines can also be poor.

Regards
G!

funkadelic

Definitely the battery. AFAIK you shouldn't use rechargeable batteries with active pickups.

psyx

funkadelic wrote: Definitely the battery. AFAIK you shouldn't use rechargeable batteries with active pickups.

Any reason? I was planning on starting to use rechargeables in my RGA when my current batteries run out...

Malkav

psyx wrote: Any reason? I was planning on starting to use rechargeables in my RGA when my current batteries run out...

I don't know the technical terms, but from what I understand recharbles just get shittier at holding charge with time, besides if you're careful to always unplug when it's not in use a battery in a guitar can last like 6 months under heavy use, it's really not that bad to buy a new battery once or twice a year.

peterleroux

psyx wrote:
funkadelic wrote: Definitely the battery. AFAIK you shouldn't use rechargeable batteries with active pickups.
Any reason? I was planning on starting to use rechargeables in my RGA when my current batteries run out...

Electronics are normally designed to expect 9V from the battery. A normal battery starts out at 9V and loses voltage gradually and predictably until it's unusable. A rechargeable battery starts out at 8.something volts and stays pretty constant until just before it runs flat, when it drops rapidly. This means you have no warning it's on its way out. Also, rechargeables self-discharge (run flat when not being used) so even sitting in its case, your guitar is losing charge.

CDK2426

Sad news guys... Tried the battery and same thing... plug it on and have maybe 30 seconds and the sound dies...

Really at a loss now...

AlanRatcliffe

Both pickups die? If so, the problem is something shared by both pickups, so the fault's more likely an active tone or other shared circuitry/connection than the active pickups.

psyx

Maybe pop the hood and take a few pix... Maybe someone can spot the problem

buttle

Never EVER use re-chargables. Always ONLY use Duracel. Do not skimp on a cheap battery

RobbieZ

buttle wrote: Never EVER use re-chargables. Always ONLY use Duracel. Do not skimp on a cheap battery

I fully agree.

Having said that, I hope you get the issue sorted out quick.