After putting a fresh 9 volt battery in my Luke guitar I played a gig yesterday and was plagued with noise like static coming from the guitar. I've noticed recently that the top e string sounds weak compared to the rest of the strings. sometimes its ok sometimes it's not. I love the guitar but it's not fit for purpose as it is. EMG active pickups.
- Thread starter Milford
- Start date
fbecir
Well-known member
Hello
The 9 volt batteries do not all have exactly the same size. Sometimes, a battery will move a bit and it will create some noises. I had this problem with the silent circuit of my ASS. Try to put some foam in the battery box in order to prevent this.
The 9 volt batteries do not all have exactly the same size. Sometimes, a battery will move a bit and it will create some noises. I had this problem with the silent circuit of my ASS. Try to put some foam in the battery box in order to prevent this.
the “battery box” is the standard one which flips up and pulls out. There’s no way to put in packing as the battery is a neat fit. It seems the slightly higher voltage of the new battery made the problem worse. The crackle happens without any movement of the guitar.
Hi, Milford. I don´t know if you used a cheap battery. Use a Duracell or something like that, cheap batteries besides the size issue (the rebrand a cheap battery with a different brand wrap often, had to drill out 1,5v batteries out of Taylor Gtrs more than once) have many side effects due too low quality components, let´s use the for remotes and flashlights or vibrating devices 
. For the weak e string: First check without amp, then I would try different amp sounds if there is a phase cancellation in a certain fequency ( every position of the e string weak?), still there with a clean, uncompressed sound?
good luck
. For the weak e string: First check without amp, then I would try different amp sounds if there is a phase cancellation in a certain fequency ( every position of the e string weak?), still there with a clean, uncompressed sound?good luck
The weak top e...same all up the neck whatever setting on the guitar or amp... this problem comes and goes with no rhyme or reason. Re the static noise, it's nothing to do with the battery. It connects fine and the voltage is correct. I think there is something in the active electronics that's breaking down. Maybe if I could find an expert on EMG pickups they'd suggest a fix. There's no problem with my Silhouette which has active circuitry with Dimarzio pickups using the same battery. The only thing I haven't tried is using the guitar without a battery.. Thanks for the suggestion everybody.
beej
Moderator
Maybe drop EMG a line-
www.emgpickups.com
EMG Pickups / Contact / Electric Guitar Pickups, Bass Guitar Pickups, Acoustic Guitar Pickups
Electric Guitar Pickups, Bass Guitar Pickups, Acoustic Guitar Pickups and Accessories - EMG Active & Passive Pickups - over 25 Years of Active Pickup Technology - The original active pickup.
www.emgpickups.com
beej
Moderator
It's hard to say what the issue is here, so it's hard to recommend a solution. Could be that you have an issue with the electronics and something needs to be replaced. Could be a wiring issue, intermittent connection, etc.
Your best bet is to reach out to Music Man customer service directly (link in my signature) and get some advice from them- they can help out or possibly steer you to someone local who can. Alternately, you could reach out to EMG and ask them.
Your best bet is to reach out to Music Man customer service directly (link in my signature) and get some advice from them- they can help out or possibly steer you to someone local who can. Alternately, you could reach out to EMG and ask them.
I've tried sending the following message to the music-man contact but I'm not sure it's going anywhere.. no message coming up saying "sent".
Tried again after reading the "contact us" form but I'm not getting any indication it's being "sent" when I click on the SEND button. I've double checked that all the field have been filed in.
Hi, My 2002 Luke with H/S/S EMG pickups has developed a fault. There is a constant crackle/static noise whenever I try to use it. There was a couple of times i noticed the volume on the top E string was low compared to the rest but mostly it was OK. I put in a fresh PP3 battery before going out to play live and was bothered with what sounded like radio interference. Since trying it at home I realise the problem is the guitar. The noise only stops if I take out the battery. The noise is there on all positions of the pickup selector.
I'm sure it is an electronics problem with the active circuitry.
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morsecode
Well-known member
They are closed Friday through Sunday so it is quite possible they will respond soon given it is only Tuesday.
Well, it’s Saturday and no response…I’m disappointed but still hopeful..the online form I was advised to send doesn’t seem to send.. no response whatsoever…. What a contrast to PRS guitars…they were quick to respond and answer a query..
DrKev
Moderator
Pick up the phone and call on Monday or send me a private message with your email address and I’ll reach out from my end.
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Not too handy to phone from Shetland Isles, Scotland , uk. Email [email protected]
Don't get me wrong. I understand your frustration and I think that CS should reply, but... can I ask what are you expecting? This is a 10+ year old guitar with the pickups that were made by EMG? I think you would be better off reaching to EMG asking if they experienced smth like this? I would expect that EBMM would need to take a look at the instrument and as I assume it is not an option for you. I dint know how skillful you are with electronics, but I thin you may be better off posting pictures here and figuring out with the help og the forum.
For example, you can try two 9v batteries and see how does the hum level change. worst case scenario the EMG pickups are pretty affordable on a used market, and they have quick connectors so no soldering needed and can be swapped in a better of minutes.
For example, you can try two 9v batteries and see how does the hum level change. worst case scenario the EMG pickups are pretty affordable on a used market, and they have quick connectors so no soldering needed and can be swapped in a better of minutes.
well, what I was expecting was to find someone who has experienced the same problem….yes it’s a pick-up/electronics problem but as EMGs are commonly fitted to this kind of guitar I thought this would be a good place to start..However another guitar I have is a Musicman Silhouette with active electronics but DiMarzio pick-ups so thought it could be something common to Musicman rather than just the pickups themselves.
Yes I’m also trying to get a response from EMG.
DrKev
Moderator
I would just like to clarify one thing, as this forum is a resource for people into the future…
The stock Silhouette has never had active electronics (for at least the last 30 years, maybe some earlier versions in the late 80s did but I don’t recall). The Silhouette Special has the silent circuit but that’s the only active element. The pickups and controls are still passive and function identically if there is a battery present for the silent circuit or not.
The stock Silhouette has never had active electronics (for at least the last 30 years, maybe some earlier versions in the late 80s did but I don’t recall). The Silhouette Special has the silent circuit but that’s the only active element. The pickups and controls are still passive and function identically if there is a battery present for the silent circuit or not.
