HELP! SR5 cutting out and making distorted sounds!

[roccobladr]

Guys! I need help! My sting ray 5 string has done this before, but I did what some of you suggested and pried the little tabs on the battery holder up and seemed to work for a while, but now its doing it again!

It makes a sound kinda like the battery is dying-like gets all distorted and then fades out after a while, but I've tried 3 different new batteries so I am pretty sure it's the electronics.

Any idea of what it can be? I really can't send my bass out to california. I am gigging musician and use my bass live 2-3 times a week. I am so tempted to go try and find a passive 5 stringer, but I just LOVE the way this bass sounds!

My band just got a new agent and we have a HUGE show tomorrow night! I am going to be lost without my bass and I just cant rely on it on stage. I am kinda bummed that I spent so much money hoping that I would never have these problems and here I am.

Any ideas of how I can fix this by tomorrow??

 

[bovinehost]

Internet diagnosis of electronic problems is practiced by fools and village idiots.

I will give you a hypothetical. If it were me, and bending the battery tabs provided some relief earlier, I would suspect the battery box, which is easily replaced in most locations. Cheap, too.

your village idiot friend,
Jack

 

[roccobladr]

From one fool to another, thank you!

I know almost nothing about electronics like this, but what about if I put some kind of foam/plastic/something else I could stick in there- on the bottom of the battery where the plastic door closes it? Like to help it push down onto the connectors better? would that make sense to try?

 

[bovinehost]

If you have a decently equipped electronics store around, I'd wager they'd have a battery box replacement item. I don't recall now who makes those but they aren't crafted by elves in San Luis Obispo.

I mean, stuffing things in boxes is good fun, I've done my share of that sort of rigging, but if you have one bass and numerous gigs, I'd go ahead and find another battery box.

 

[maddog]

I second the battery box as the culprit. It sounds like proper contact to the battery terminals is not being made.

If you don't have the confidence in your reasoning ability to fix it, I would suggest finding someone local that can get their hands on. Otherwise, have at it and learn something.

 

[boogie8008]

Same thing happened to me. The contacts from the pre amp to the battery box have probably come loose. If you have a soldering iron it is an easy fix. Unscrew the battery bow and re-solder the contacts. If you don't feel comfortable take it to a tech, but its a pretty easy fix.

 

[DTG]

I don't recall now who makes those but they aren't crafted by elves in San Luis Obispo.

Elvis is not in slo ????

 

[jlepre]

Elvis is not in slo ????

Huh?

 

[Big Poppa]

please for the one millionth time dont use the forum for internet diagnosis