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Help: No Sound In Active Mode

Discussion in 'Pickups & Electronics [BG]' started by ffutterman, Apr 16, 2012.

  1. Apr 16, 2012 #1
    ffutterman

    ffutterman Talentless Bass Enthusiast

    May 7, 2010
    Philadelphia
    I recently got a bass that has a single EMG-HZ pickup on it that's wired to be active or passive with EMG controls. When I first got the bass, everything worked fine, but a couple days ago the active mode stopped working. I swapped out the battery (the original is still good,though), and active mode was working again. I picked up the bass a little while later that day, though, and it wasn't working again. Passive mode still works.

    Electronics aren't my forte, but I'm really at a loss about what could cause this. Everything seems to be connected fine (no loose wires and everything's attached well on the preamp circuit board). I also treat this bass like my baby, so it's not like I'm rocking out and shaking up everything in the control cavity. In an effort to conserve battery power, I always unplug the bass and switch it to passive before putting it away.

    Does anyone have any idea what the problem might be (or any techs in the Philly area that'd be willing to take a look at it)? I'll try to get a camera and post some pictures of the wiring later today.
     
  2. Apr 16, 2012 #2
    khutch

    khutch Praise Harp

    Aug 20, 2011
    suburban Chicago
    I'd check the battery wires and possibly replace the battery connector. It started working again when you replaced a battery you measure as good so it is likely that when you moved the wires around as you replaced the battery a flaky connection somewhere was temporarily remade.

    Ken
     
  3. Apr 16, 2012 #3
    ffutterman

    ffutterman Talentless Bass Enthusiast

    May 7, 2010
    Philadelphia
    In replacing the connector, is there any risk of causing an unwanted buzz in the output? I'd have to look at it again, but I think I'd have to settle for splicing a replacement with the current wires rather than completely replacing the existing wires.
     
  4. Apr 16, 2012 #4
    mech

    mech In Memoriam

    Jun 20, 2008
    Meridian, MS, USA
    There should be no reason that changing the battery connector will cause a problem as long as you do a neat and well insulated splice. Have at least 1/4" of bare wire to twist together and use heat shrink tubing or 2 layers minimum of electrical tape for insulation. Offseting the splice between the wires will make a smaller "knot" and give less chance of a short between the bare wires if the insulation is less than perfect.

    mech
    Splice.jpg
     
  5. Apr 16, 2012 #5
    khutch

    khutch Praise Harp

    Aug 20, 2011
    suburban Chicago
    Probably before you replace anything you should play around with the wiring to see if you can get the output to come and go while you are moving it around. Then you will know for sure that it is the wiring. If it is just the contacts on the battery/connector one of the contacts on each can be squeezed slightly with needlenose pliers to tighten them up. This may be all you need to do.

    Ken
     
  6. Apr 16, 2012 #6
    ffutterman

    ffutterman Talentless Bass Enthusiast

    May 7, 2010
    Philadelphia
    Thanks for the replies. It looks like there is something wrong with the wiring. Gently pressing on the contacts in different directions caused a lot of popping noises and, occasionally, the sound of the strings. Then moving the battery around in the air without touching the contacts also caused some of the same popping.
     
  7. Apr 16, 2012 #7
    ffutterman

    ffutterman Talentless Bass Enthusiast

    May 7, 2010
    Philadelphia
    Well, I gave it a shot but to little or no avail. I had a replacement working when I had all the guts laid out, but when I put it all back together I was back to getting no output.

    Can anyone recommend a tech in Philly to look at it? I really don't trust leaving this at a Guitar Center.