Can not get G&L 2000 into any Active Mode PASSIVE WORKS GREAT ?

[bowtieman427]

Just bought a very nice looking my dream bass G&L 2000 off member here on TB just got it today trying it out. The bass works flawlessly in passive mode (3-Position Sound Selector on bottom position). When I switch to any active in either the Top or Middle position nothing but white noise no difference in noise between the 2 positions. I tried every combination of the sound selector, and pickup selector and nothing but the same white noise. I do not here any switching or anything.
-Changed battery and the exact same thing same white noise not the battery
-Tried the high and low gain on amp same thing same white noise not that either.
I really hope this is simple fix or I am missing something here.
Here is the bass. It is 2006 Made in USA special order
ANY HELP WOULD BE GREAT.

 

[bongomania]

White noise makes me think a wire broke or got knocked loose during shipping. Check it out with a magnifying glass, see if any wires do not appear to be well-soldered and secure.

 

[bassbenj]

White noise makes me think a wire broke or got knocked loose during shipping. Check it out with a magnifying glass, see if any wires do not appear to be well-soldered and secure.

This is what I'm thinking too. The white noise (hiss) implies the active preamp is working correctly and the output is hooked up right. So this suggests that a wire going to the INPUT of the circuit board has broken off. Places to look for such a broken wire are around the active-passive mode switch and also check the wires going to the circuit board. Sometimes they break off at the board. If it's wrapped with foam you may need to peel it back to take a look under there.

Good luck.

 

[bowtieman427]

Solved the problem which seems a little strange. Seller said it was in perfect order prior to shipment all worked and checked out.
I checked wires and continuity. The battery that was in it was pretty old (outdated per life printed on case of it) and was at 1.4V. After static checks of continuity and checking joints could not find an issue. I chanced dynamic checks with new battery an a dead cord to just complete the circuit and found the OP-AMP with no output. Ordered the LM4250CN from Digikey and stuck in in and BINGO it is working great.
The part I find alarming is what could of killed the OP-AMP and the Battery during shipping without a cord being hooked up to it ?
Seems a bit odd to me especially if in perfect working order prior to ship. ANY IDEAS ?
I am curious as I do not want this to be a reaccuring issue.

 

[hdracer]

That is a very reliable bass. I would think that it was like that before it was shipped.

 

[kai_ski]

I'm glad you worked that out. I'm sorry for the trouble it caused you too. I had been gigging that bass for the past year or so since I had it, and never had any electronic issues. Like I said, I ran it through it's paces just before packing and all worked fine. I hope it's the last issue you have with it. I easily put $500 into that guy with the replacement neck (a significant upgrade) and all the work I did to the original neck. I hope you're extra investment never reaches that point.

Anyway, just wanted to add to this thread to represent myself.

 

[bassbenj]

Solved the problem which seems a little strange. Seller said it was in perfect order prior to shipment all worked and checked out.
I checked wires and continuity. The battery that was in it was pretty old (outdated per life printed on case of it) and was at 1.4V. After static checks of continuity and checking joints could not find an issue. I chanced dynamic checks with new battery an a dead cord to just complete the circuit and found the OP-AMP with no output. Ordered the LM4250CN from Digikey and stuck in in and BINGO it is working great.
The part I find alarming is what could of killed the OP-AMP and the Battery during shipping without a cord being hooked up to it ?
Seems a bit odd to me especially if in perfect working order prior to ship. ANY IDEAS ?
I am curious as I do not want this to be a reaccuring issue.

Electronic parts do not need a reason to go bad if they are in the mood. (he says having THREE digital TV converter boxes die in about 6 months)

Things can happen. Usually for things like opamps it's static electricity or the like. Rubbing around on styro peanuts could do it. Or then again, they don't need a reason. This is why it's always best to have an IC socket for your opamps not to mention a couple of spares in the case (stored in anti-static envelopes!) On the one hand you don't want cheap sockets that the chips can vibrate out of and on the other hand you don't want to ruin the circuit board by a lot of desoldering. I'll desolder one once, but then it's socket time for a replacement. It also shows why a passive bypass is a very important feature...not just for dead batteries alone.

Just remember: Rule: Transistors make better fuses than fuses!