Low output from active pickups?

enzoguitarist35

My rig is as follows, Ibanez RG2EX1 with EMG 81 in the bridge, 60 in the neck and a PA2 booster, running into a Rivera KR7 or Line 6 Spider3 amp, depending on my location. I noticed when I was playing on the Line 6 that I couldn't get nearly the amount of gain out of the guitar as I normally do, so I flipped on the PA2, which boosted it some but I don't really like the tone I get from it. The same thing happened with the KR7. It almost sounds like the battery is dying but I changed the battery 3 times and tested the voltage on them. Any ideas of what it could be before I go through my rig replacing stuff?

Gearhead

enzoguitarist35 wrote: It almost sounds like the battery is dying

It does... It would make sense to exclude the batteries completely and entirely.

enzoguitarist35 wrote: I changed the battery 3 times and tested the voltage on them

What kinda batteries? what voltage did you measure? I suppose the best test would be to leave rechargeables out and for once buy a new alkaline.

If you have done that, then the lead is next, relatively easy to check by swapping with someone else's or buying a new one.

If that turns out not to be the problem, there must be a fishy solder joint in the guit.

AlanRatcliffe

Sounds like you've ruled out batteries and amps, so +1 to Gearhead's suggestion that leads are next. You have another guitar to try out? So you can narrow down if it's the guitar or something else. If it is the guitar, it won't be the pickups themselves as it's unlikely both would start giving problems, so then it's the usual suspects - solder joints, output jacks, etc.

Cellie

I had exactly the same problem. I even have the same pup's. ?

Wires weren't making contact. Some quick soldering sorted it out.