|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,085
Veteran
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,085 |
I have a Takamine electric acoustic guitar - EF349. (Built on Sunday 10/10/82. 23rd guitar made that day. LOL!) It's mahagony and is still beautiful after all these years. I bought it new. It's been a great feeling and sounding guitar. It has the plastic brown three sliders - treble, bass, gain on the top. I used to play and record with it a lot but I have rarely played it in years. Today I decided to plug it in the Emu interface with the signal going to Realband and no sound.
The problem is that the preamp which is battery powered has stopped working. You loosen the strings to get your hand through the hole and there's a little brown box that snaps out which holds the battery. Changed batteries, tried different cords, cleaned contacts with contact cleaner - dead as a door nail.
I'll keep it regardless, sentimental value...
Any ideas what's wrong? Is this an expensive repair? Should I even bother trying to get it repaired? Are there other options besides the built in preamp?
Sorry for all the questions and thank you for your advice and help.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,251
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,251 |
Josie,
Have you plugged the guitar into an amp to verify that it isn't working?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,085
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,085 |
Bob,
I don't have a guitar amp to test it on, I plugged it into my Emu interface which I know works.
Thanks.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 3,347
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 3,347 |
Hi Josie.
Bob's right. Even if the Emu works with the mic input, there could still be a problem with the guitar input. Two ways to check it -
1) Try another guitar into the Emu.
2) Plug one end of a guitar lead into the Emu, give it a bit of gain and stick your thumb over the tip of the jack plug on the other end. If it buzzes you've got a connection. (I'm not sure that Mac is going to like this method!)
Let us know how you get on.
ROG.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021 |
1. does it have a tuner?Does it work?
2. did you put the battery in the right way
3. did it work when you put it away last?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021 |
A replacement, if it it the pre, should not cost to much and you can probably DIY. Most likely a Fishman
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913 |
When my Fishman died on my Larrivée, I took out the barn door electronics and now I have one of those fancy sound holes on the side of the guitar. Replaced it with a K+K and it sounds much better. Also check out the easy tI install LR baggs stuff.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
Today I decided to plug it in the Emu interface with the signal going to Realband and no sound. Did you have another known good guitar cable to try? Cables are the thing that stops the show more than anything else, always suspect a bad cable first when there is no sound. The problem is that the preamp which is battery powered has stopped working. I haven't heard enough evidence yet to support that conclusion. Unless and until you've tried another cable -- and another input source, such as an amp, this problem could be due to either the cable being broken, or the EMU, which may be broken, not set correctly for the input, or, since it is a software driven soundcard, there could be corrupted software, drivers, whatever. Any ideas what's wrong? Is this an expensive repair? Should I even bother trying to get it repaired? Are there other options besides the built in preamp?
Your best option might be to take the guitar AND the cable to a local guitar shop. There, you can try your preamp with other cables, other amps and find out what's going on first. Preamp can be repaired, can even be replaced. But first find out if that is what is broken. --Mac
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
Hi Josie.
2) Plug one end of a guitar lead into the Emu, give it a bit of gain and stick your thumb over the tip of the jack plug on the other end. If it buzzes you've got a connection. (I'm not sure that Mac is going to like this method!)
And why not? Buzzin' the cable is the fastest way to find out what's happenin' - or not. I might add that after getting a buzz from the center contact at the TIP, I then cover both tip and sleeve with the one hand, effectively shorting the input out with the resistance of my hand, and see if the buzz quiets a bit then. That checks the shield connection as well. Buzzin' the input of an audio amp is a time-honored method of signal injection. Just don't be a noob and turn the Volume up all the way because you don't hear anything when the Volume is in its normal position. That's asking for damage somewhere and is a useless thing to do when the sound stops altogether. Like flooring the gas in the broken automobile, it won't fix anything and can likely hurt things worse. --Mac
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,085
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,085 |
The cable passed the buzz check.
I'll take it to the music store sometime this week and see what they say.
I would like to know what's wrong. If it's expensive to fix. Maybe, I'll play it as is and mic it if need be.
I had to stop playing guitar because of joint pain and carpel tunnel problems. From time to time the spirit gets willing but in past attempts the body has tended to revolt so I don't want to spend much money on it without knowing I can hang with it.
It's a shame it quit working right. It's one of the real lawsuit guitars made in Japan that's somewhat of a collector's item now. I always loved it's sound.
Thank each of you very much for your help. Much appreciated.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,251
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,251 |
I'll take it to the music store sometime this week and see what they say.
I would like to know what's wrong. If it's expensive to fix. Maybe, I'll play it as is and mic it if need be. Taking it to the music store is a good idea, but before I’d “see what they say”, I’d just take the guitar in and ask to try out an amp and they’ll supply the guitar cord automatically. If it doesn’t work, they’ll start trying to figure out why!  Then take it from there. I’d suspect the EMU before the preamp.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
And, treat whatever they tell you exactly like we should treat a medical opinion.
Get a second opinion before making any decisions regarding repair.
Often is the case that the ones I get in are something very simple, like the battery connects get broken or corroded from sitting, an easy repair for the competent tech and should not cost very much either.
If they start talking about more expensive possibilities, be polite, tell them you have to wait to afford that, and take the guitar to that second opinion place. If both tell you the exact same thing after troubleshooting, at least you will have confirmed the situation and can make a better decision about what to do from there.
--Mac
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,085
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,085 |
Good idea Bob, I will try but I am the worst poker face in the world - I hope they won't see me coming a mile off. LOL!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,085
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,085 |
Mac, I'll for sure get a second opinion there's another music store that carries Takamine in a town not too far from here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 23,203
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 23,203 |
FWIW, an acoustic player I jam with had his Ovation preamp die. A guitar tech indicated the cost to be around $300 as it was a proprietary device. I showed him my $12 Signal Flex SF-20 This is the same pickup I mentioned to Eddie in this thread, http://www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=211338#Post211338A few other members showed interest in this. I have had great success with mine. I hope the other members also have good success. Good luck.
Whenever I get something stuck in the back of my throat, I dislodge it by drinking a beer.
It's called the Heineken Maneuver.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,306
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,306 |
If you're even close to being handy with some hand tools, a replacement can possibly be found on Amazon or Ebay for a few bucks.
As someone said above... it might even sound better.
I shop Amazon all the time.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: VST3 Plugin Support
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® now includes support for VST3 plugins, alongside VST and AU. Use them with MIDI or audio tracks for even more creative possibilities in your music production.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Macs®: VST3 Plugin Support
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: Using VST3 Plugins
Join the conversation on our forum.
Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Mac Videos
With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll also keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.
From overviews of new features and walkthroughs of the 202 new RealTracks, to highlights of XPro Styles PAK 8, Xtra Styles PAKs 18, the 2025 49-PAK, and in-depth tutorials — you’ll find everything you need to explore what’s new in Band-in-a-Box® 2025.
Reference this forum post for One-Stop Shopping of our Band-in-a-Box® 2025 Mac Videos — we’ll be adding more videos as they’re released!
Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Mac is Here!
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac is here, packed with major new features and an incredible collection of available new content! This includes 202 RealTracks (in Sets 449-467), plus 20 bonus Unreleased RealTracks in the 2025 49-PAK. There are new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 4, two new sets of “RealDrums Stems,” XPro Styles PAK 8, Xtra Styles PAK 19, and more!
Special Offers
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac with savings of up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special—available until July 31, 2025! Visit our Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
2025 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
We've packed our Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK with some incredible Add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is automatically included with most Band-in-a-Box® for Mac 2025 packages, but for even more Add-ons (including 20 Unreleased RealTracks!) upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for only $49. You can see the full lists of items in each package, and listen to demos here.
If you have any questions, feel free to connect with us directly—we’re here to help!
Band-in-a-Box 2025 Italian Version is Here!
Cari amici
È stata aggerate la versione in Italiano del programma più amato dagli appassionati di musica, il nostro Band-in-a-Box.
Questo è il link alla nuova versione 2025.
Di seguito i link per scaricare il pacchetti di lingua italiana aggiornati per Band-in-a-Box e RealBand, anche per chi avesse già comprato la nuova versione in inglese.
Band-in-a-Box 2025 - Italiano
RealBand 2025 - Italiano
Band-in-a-Box 2025 French Version is Here!
Bonjour à tous,
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 pour Windows est disponible en Français.
Le téléchargement se fait à partir du site PG Music
Pour ceux qui auraient déjà acheté la version 2025 de Band-in-a-Box (et qui donc ont une version anglaise), il est possible de "franciser" cette version avec les patchs suivants:
BIAB 2025 - francisation
RealBand 2025 - francisation
Voilà, enjoy!
Band-in-a-Box 2025 German Version is Here!
Update Your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 to Build 1128 for Windows Today!
Already using Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Windows®? Download Build 1128 now from our Support Page to enjoy the latest enhancements and improvements from our team.
Stay up to date—get the latest update now!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums58
Topics84,270
Posts777,123
Members39,608
| |
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
There are no members with birthdays on this day. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean