55-02 preamp problems? Help!

[Eric Boyer]

I posted this in the LOG thread in the basses section but this is probably the more appropriate place to ask...I don't mean to be impatient, I just want to know if I'm going to need to run out tomorrow as a result of this...

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Hey guys,

Last night, after three years, I put new DRs on my 55-02D after finally being able to afford it. So, I string it up; go to plug into my amp and start to play - everything's sounding good (it's nice to finally have new strings)

BUT THEN

*Pop pop* from the speaker and then there's no sound. I figure the battery is gone (since I couldn't remember the last time I replaced it). Sure enough, I pull the volume knob out to bypass the preamp and I have sound coming out of the speaker once again.

Long story short: I've tried a few batteries now, and I can't get any sound when in active mode.

Admittedly, these aren't the freshest batteries (although they test fine), but seeing as today is good friday, all the stores are closed.

Any idea what could be going on? I have a multimeter to diagnose the preamp, but I wouldn't even know where to begin...

Any help would be super appreciated as always.

-Eric

[murphy]

pop pop doesn't sound like a dead battery.
If the preamp hasn't gone belly up, it just sounds like a wire has become disconnected from the pre somewhere.
Pop the hood and check all wires are still attached.

[mikezimmerman]

Bad/loose output jack would be my first guess. If the ring connector in the TRS jack isn't making good contact--or you're using a stereo cable with TRS plugs on it--the ring and sleve sections won't be connected, and the battery won't be giving any power to the preamp.

Open it up and bend all the contacts on the jack inward a little bit so they make good contact with with the plug when there's a cable plugged in.

[mccartneyman]

Preamp on my 5501 developed an intermittent problem that cut volume in half. Lakland replaced the entire wiring harness & preamp, for free. My 55-94 has had no problems.

[basadam]

I had a similar case. A loose jack turned a bit in place and battery lead was touching shielding paint. I suggest you open the cavity and observe that no hot leads touching the paint. It's a "crowded" preamp.