BIG PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE SOLVED

Guitarplayer_PR · #1 06-21-2020, 01:48 PM

Straight to the point: I've been having huge problems with one of my Ovation guitars. Lately, it has this horrible fuzzy noise when I play it, when if I just press the strings without playing them and then, a couple of days later, the fuzz is gone. Then another couple of days and the buzz is back. Originally, I've been thinking it can be the preamp (it's an OP-Pro), but I'm having some doubts. Anyone can help bringing some light?

GmanJeff · #2 06-21-2020, 01:56 PM

Might be the battery losing capacity - try changing it? Low cost, might help.

Guitarplayer_PR · #3 06-21-2020, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GmanJeff

Might be the battery losing capacity - try changing it? Low cost, might help.

No, it's not the batteries. Already tried that

srbell · #4 06-21-2020, 02:01 PM

My daughter had one that wouldn't work at all (Ovation as well). Ended up being dirty switches in the preamp. Before doing anything else I'd verify its not an issue with your cable. You may want to try spraying a little DeOxit control cleaner in each control (switches, pushbuttons, knob/sliders) on the preamp and working them to clean them up. Possible it could be the connection from the pickup to the preamp, battery connection, or even the jack on the guitar, but I'm guessing one or more dirty controls on the preamp.

necrome · #5 06-21-2020, 02:03 PM

Had the same problem with my guitar, went away when i changed the battery housing and dehumidified it. May want to give those a try.

Zandit75 · #6 06-21-2020, 02:21 PM

Sounds like an earth problem, or a damaged wire that shifts around slightly.

cmac · #7 06-21-2020, 03:28 PM

Sounds like a shielding problem, possibly a wiring fault has developed.

https://sound.stackexchange.com/ques...-guitar-pickup

Goat Mick · #8 06-22-2020, 08:57 AM

If it goes away while you're touching the strings, there is a ground issue somewhere with the pickup system. I would definitely get some contact cleaner and clean the preamp pots and controls first and then start trying to chase down the ground issue if that doesn't work.

SpruceTop · #9 07-01-2020, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by srbell

My daughter had one that wouldn't work at all (Ovation as well). Ended up being dirty switches in the preamp. Before doing anything else I'd verify its not an issue with your cable. You may want to try spraying a little DeOxit control cleaner in each control (switches, pushbuttons, knob/sliders) on the preamp and working them to clean them up. Possible it could be the connection from the pickup to the preamp, battery connection, or even the jack on the guitar, but I'm guessing one or more dirty controls on the preamp.

The Above. As mentioned, also unplug and plugin several times any mini jacks attached to the preamp and DeOxit them too. If you can, unscrew back the housing of the pickup mini-plug and spray DeOxit on the connections. Inspect the connections for any fraying of wiring that may be making contact with the other connections. Been there and done this on a 2008 Adamas 2080 NWT with VIP5 Aura Preamp that was giving intermittent performance issues, and it worked.

Guitarplayer_PR · #10 07-06-2020, 04:00 PM

UPDATE!!!

Apparently, the problem was with the connection of the cable to the output jack. I put some contact cleaner and. . . voila!!! The problem disappeared!! But. . . wait for problem 2

UPDATE!!!!!!

Actually, I found (for REAL) what was the real problem: the cable!!!!!

It seems that the plug of the cable I was using was some cm. shorter and it wasn't connecting correctly.

Guitarplayer_PR · #11 12-25-2020, 11:12 AM

A follow up (months later. . . ):

In reality, it wasn't what we all thought: IT WAS THE PREAMP. Bought another, problem finally solved and this time or real

SpruceTop · #12 12-25-2020, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guitarplayer_PR

Straight to the point: I've been having huge problems with one of my Ovation guitars. Lately, it has this horrible fuzzy noise when I play it, when if I just press the strings without playing them and then, a couple of days later, the fuzz is gone. Then another couple of days and the buzz is back. Originally, I've been thinking it can be the preamp (it's an OP-Pro), but I'm having some doubts. Anyone can help bringing some light?

Oops! I just saw your new response after I placed my comment. If you do have any future intermittent signal problems, do follow my below advice as I've been there and done that:

Reach in your guitar and make sure the pickup plug is firmly inserted in the Op Pro Preamp housing's pickup jack. If so, pull the plug out and screw back the barrel cover, and spray DeOxit on the wiring. Also, remove the OP Pro Preamp from its housing and spray DeOxit on its contacts and the contacts in the housing. There's now a good chance that your problem will be solved. Another thing to look for is fraying wires inside the barrel of the pickup's plug.

Guitarplayer_PR · #13 12-30-2020, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpruceTop

Oops! I just saw your new response after I placed my comment. If you do have any future intermittent signal problems, do follow my below advice as I've been there and done that:

Reach in your guitar and make sure the pickup plug is firmly inserted in the Op Pro Preamp housing's pickup jack. If so, pull the plug out and screw back the barrel cover, and spray DeOxit on the wiring. Also, remove the OP Pro Preamp from its housing and spray DeOxit on its contacts and the contacts in the housing. There's now a good chance that your problem will be solved. Another thing to look for is fraying wires inside the barrel of the pickup's plug.

Well, I did all that and then some. Finally, I realized that the only explanation was that the preamp was damaged beyond repair. After changing the preamp, I haven't had any more problems.