Bothershooting an Acoustic-Electric Guitar

Acoustic guitars are available all sizes and styles with a number of options. Some of the popular options is the addition of a pickup system that permits the guitar to be plugged into amplification.

When a pickup system is added to an acoustic guitar it becomes an "acoustic/ electrical" guitar because it may be played by itself, acoustically, or connected to an amp or PA system like an electrical guitar.

And as with something mechanical, the more items you add to the puzzle, the more that may go wrong. When you have an acoustic/ electrical guitar it is just a matter of time earlier than you experience a break down within the signal chain, and it is necessary to know easy methods to diagnose the problem.

Points that may arise when plugging an acoustic/ electric guitar into an amp or PA system typically fall into categories. Distorted or static sounds - or complete lack of signal.

Distorted or Static Sounds

When the sound that the guitar produces is distorted or filled with static, there are a few culprits.

The very first thing to check is the guitar cable you might be using. Gently shake the cable and pay attention for a "crackling" sound. If you happen to hear one then the cable could have a brief someplace down its length. Also, apply some pressure back and forth on the ends. If you hear a crackling sound then that's normally an indicator of a short within the cable connectors.

Either means, strive a new cable and see if that alleviates the problem.

If not, attempt gently shifting the tip of the cable that is plugged into the beginner guitar lesson back and forth. If this produces a crackling noise then you'll have a short in the enter jack of the guitar itself.

When you've got tried the entire above and never located an issue, then the following factor to check is the battery for the pre-amp of the guitar's pickup system.

Most acoustic guitar pickups have a pre-amp in-built that boosts the signal out of the guitar earlier than it goes to an amp or PA. One of the most frequent problems with these guitars is that the battery (typically a 9 volt) loses power, or dies out altogether. Put a new battery in and check out the guitar. This, quite often, will resolve the problem.

Complete Lack of Signal

Diagnosing this drawback is much like the above points, but since there is no signal at all it would be best to check the other elements of the signal chain.

First check the amp. I know this sounds obvious, but make sure that it is on! In that case, check quantity stage settings. Use one other guitar that you already know is working and ensure the amp is functioning properly.

If the guitar is plugged right into a D.I. (Direct Box), check the box for defects and proper cable routing. Also check the XLR cable that goes from the D.I. box, to the blending board or snake.

Once these prospects are eliminated, then proceed to diagnose points as with a distorted or static sound.

In Conclusion

The above hassleshooting tips might sound like numerous steps to undergo to find the problem, however after you have a grip on the concept of what can go fallacious, you can find that tracing down the problem might be performed pretty quickly.

It is really just a matter of realizing the signal path of the guitar, and eliminating every thing that "is" working, until you discover the thing that "is not" working.

And bear in mind, the number one culprit of signal loss, or distorted signal in an acoustic/ electrical guitar is a faulty battery - and you may remedy that downside by changing the battery usually!