#1
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Unusable Martin JC40
My main guitar that I’ve been playing gigs with for the last 25 years is now useless. The preamp has developed an occasional short. I’ve called Martin and they claim they have no information about the electronics and that they can’t help me. The electronics say made in England, and it’s an 18v system. It has worked really nicely with my ToneDexter. The guitar has TWO big holes for the system. One on the top rim and another below the end pin. I have four Martins and I have to comment that I am really disappointed in their lack of concern regarding this issue.
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#2
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Maybe a few pictures would be helpful.
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jf45ir Free DIY Acoustic Guitar IR Generator .wav file, 30 seconds, pickup left, mic right, open position strumming best...send to direct email below I'll send you 100/0, 75/25, 50/50 & 0/100 IR/Bypass IRs IR Demo, read the description too: https://youtu.be/SELEE4yugjE My duo's website and my email... [email protected] Jon Fields |
#3
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I’ll try to put some pics on tomorrow. I have a hard time believing Martin has no information about the electronics that they installed from the factory.
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#4
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You bought the guitar new? I can't remember any Martin made in GB systems, but what do I know?
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2007 Martin D 35 Custom 1970 Guild D 35 1965 Epiphone Texan 2011 Santa Cruz D P/W Pono OP 30 D parlor Pono OP12-30 Pono MT uke Goldtone Paul Beard squareneck resophonic Fluke tenor ukulele Boatload of home rolled telecasters "Shut up and play ur guitar" Frank Zappa |
#5
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Here’s a couple pictures IMG_0052.jpgIMG_0053.jpg
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#6
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I found this:
https://reverb.com/item/5190410-mart...p-1980-s-black https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...d.php?t=427139 So effectively zilch. Sorry. Last edited by Guest 33123; 12-09-2019 at 08:25 PM. |
#7
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Quote:
Wow, thanks for checking this out! Martin must have been using this for quite some time. I had my local dealer order this for me in 1994. I’ve taken the “guts” out, but can’t see any cold solder spot or loose wire. It is like a bad cord would act. |
#8
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That's a bummer, sorry to hear about it.
I think the 18v spec is unusual. Most of the systems I see in the market currently have a 9v spec. The only one I'm aware of with an 18v spec is the Seymour Duncan wavelength (formerly DTAR) UST system. I don't see an onboard / barn door version of that on the market currently but maybe they had one at one point? Just a guess. The Wavelength UST seems to be well regarded so if that's it, not surprised you liked it. You might try partly removing the preamp module and see if there is a manufacturer label; Martin was almost certainly not the manufacturer. What to do? You could try to replace the system with another onboard system. Maybe a good guitar tech could re-use the battery compartment / endpin jack and re-solder that to a new replacement onboard system. Fishman and Baggs both have retail packages for onboard preamps / pickups that you could install. This situation is a good example of why it's best to avoid buying a guitar with a barn door style system. I have a couple of guitars that have them (both of which I bought used a few years ago, so not too much money invested). But more recently have avoided the barn door systems and plan to continue doing so. Hope you can sort this out. |
#9
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It could be as simple as a shorted or broken contact. Have someone that knows guitar electronics take a look at it.
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Rick Ruskin Lion Dog Music - Seattle WA |
#10
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No problem. Outside of those two links I posted I found nothing on the interwebs. I hit the reference books too but couldn't find any leads. As Rick says take it to an electronics repair shop. Might be fixable...
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#11
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Circuits were discrete in the 80s right?
It should be possible to fix it by a professional electronic engineer
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Martin 00-18V Goldplus + internal mic (2003) Martin OM-28V + HFN + internal mic (1999) Eastman E6OM (2019) Trance Audio Amulet Yamaha FGX-412 (1998) Gibson Les Paul Standard 1958 Reissue (2013) Fender Stratocaster American Vintage 1954 (2014) http://acousticir.free.fr/ |
#12
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I used opamps in college in the 70s, but it is not going to be surface mount and it should be repairable. Probably a cracked solder joint or a bad capacitor.
__________________
jf45ir Free DIY Acoustic Guitar IR Generator .wav file, 30 seconds, pickup left, mic right, open position strumming best...send to direct email below I'll send you 100/0, 75/25, 50/50 & 0/100 IR/Bypass IRs IR Demo, read the description too: https://youtu.be/SELEE4yugjE My duo's website and my email... [email protected] Jon Fields |
#13
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Unusable Martin JC40
Thanks for your replies. I’m hoping a electronics engineer will fix this. I was happy with this guitar and a Fishman Aura DI, but with a ToneDexter my search for great tone was over.
-Very frustrating in that it’s such an intermittent problem. I can’t trust it for a gig. Last edited by AxeDude; 12-10-2019 at 10:26 AM. |
#14
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Problem fixed! Nothing wrong with the electronics in general. There was a slight open circuit being caused by one of the 9v battery plugs. I soldered better snap on connectors to the circuit board and everything is fine once again.
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