1 Topic by Tenement Funster (edited by Tenement Funster 2018-06-03 10:19:02)

  • From: Nova Scotia, Canada
  • Registered: 2013-01-20
  • Posts: 4,083

Topic: Active Pickups (or ... Never Too Old to Learn)

I went to play my Thunderbird bass yesterday, and the battery was dead (active pickups). Since I've only owned it for 4 weeks when I put a new battery in it, I started scratching my head. Bad wiring? Bad battery? Bad pickups? Under-inflated tires? Kim Jong Un? Global warming?

Come to find out (thanks to YouTube) leaving the jack cable plugged into the guitar (which I habitually do) will cause the battery to drain, even if it's not being played. A new battery is now installed, and it will be unplugged when not being played. And it feels good to be a wee bit smarter than I was yesterday! big_smile

Nice to know there's always something to learn, but (secretly) I did want to blame it on Kim Jong-Un.

https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/indiatoday/styles/photo_slider_753x543/public/images/photogallery/201201/kim-jong4_011912074514.jpg?VQHRXssdc.jVQmr1JlboMVtukwOLJORG

  • TIGLJK
  • Honoured Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2010-05-11
  • Posts: 3,221

Re: Active Pickups (or ... Never Too Old to Learn)

do you think its bc he's playing left handed ? smile

Your vision is not limited by what your eye can see, but what your mind can imagine.
Make your life count, and the world will be a better place because you tried.

"Use the talents you possess, for the woods would be very silent if no birds sang except only the the best." - Henry Van Dyke
  • From: Perth
  • Registered: 2017-09-27
  • Posts: 1,454

Re: Active Pickups (or ... Never Too Old to Learn)

Yep, I had the same experience with my PRS SE Torero ... it takes a while to kick the habit of leaving it plugged in!!

Cheers

Richard

http://neophytte.mine.nu/photo/2011-09-28-PRS_Torero_add_Roland_GK-Kit-GT3/images/PRS_Torero_add_Roland_GK-Kit-GT3-060.jpg

-[ Musician, writer, guitarist, singer ]-
Bandcamp     https://richardmortimer.bandcamp.com/follow_me
Discogs          https://www.discogs.com/release/29065579
YouTube         https://www.youtube.com/@RichardMortimerMusic
  • From: SC Pa
  • Registered: 2014-03-26
  • Posts: 1,348

Re: Active Pickups (or ... Never Too Old to Learn)

I did the same thing with my Martin. I went through 3 batteries. I had no idea the battery would be drained just by leaving the cord plugged in. Lesson learned. roll

__________________________________
[b]Today Is Only Yesterdays Tomorrow[/b]
  • From: Nova Scotia, Canada
  • Registered: 2013-01-20
  • Posts: 4,083

Re: Active Pickups (or ... Never Too Old to Learn)

Thanks, guys ...

Nice to know I'm in such esteemed company! lol Seriously though, it's actually quite enjoyable to learn little things like this regularly ... it's all a part of what keeps life interesting.

  • From: Perth
  • Registered: 2017-09-27
  • Posts: 1,454

Re: Active Pickups (or ... Never Too Old to Learn)

Tenement Funster wrote:

Thanks, guys ...

Nice to know I'm in such esteemed company! lol Seriously though, it's actually quite enjoyable to learn little things like this regularly ... it's all a part of what keeps life interesting.

Wait until you get the chance to change the strings on a Floyd Rose tremolo - that's always a fun experience!! smile

-[ Musician, writer, guitarist, singer ]-
Bandcamp     https://richardmortimer.bandcamp.com/follow_me
Discogs          https://www.discogs.com/release/29065579
YouTube         https://www.youtube.com/@RichardMortimerMusic
  • From: Nottingham England
  • Registered: 2014-01-13
  • Posts: 621

Re: Active Pickups (or ... Never Too Old to Learn)

Is Kim a fellow chordian ?

Thick as two short planks
  • From: Perth
  • Registered: 2017-09-27
  • Posts: 1,454

Re: Active Pickups (or ... Never Too Old to Learn)

keepitreal wrote:

Is Kim a fellow chordian ?

It's possible his wife is ... she is a vocalist for the (only?) North Korean pop group ...

-[ Musician, writer, guitarist, singer ]-
Bandcamp     https://richardmortimer.bandcamp.com/follow_me
Discogs          https://www.discogs.com/release/29065579
YouTube         https://www.youtube.com/@RichardMortimerMusic
  • From: West Georgia
  • Registered: 2006-10-14
  • Posts: 2,557

Re: Active Pickups (or ... Never Too Old to Learn)

TF, that's great information, thanks. That's a major part of  being in this family:  sharing information such as this. Many's the time I have done exactly that, so thank you.

About Kim:  I have some friends (more of a family, really) who would make far better "ambassadors" than Dennis Rodman. Just think: what if the guy does play guitar a little, but is so intent on showing what a great leader he is that he doesn't want to show any inadequacies?  So we petition the us government and the governments of your respective countries to give us some money for plane fare, hotel and other incidentals, and send a bunch of you other for there and teach hom "The Chordie Way"? Who knows,? Music has so many ways to affect us all, it may be just what he needs. _ I don't know if I'm being serious or not, folks; the more I write about it, the more sense it makes, but it's probably just me.

Richard, that is a beautiful instrument!

Thanks

Bill

Epiphone Les Paul Studio
Fender GDO300 Orchestral - a gift from Amy & Jim
Rogue Beatle Bass
Journal: www.wheretobud.blogspot. com
  • From: Nova Scotia, Canada
  • Registered: 2013-01-20
  • Posts: 4,083

Re: Active Pickups (or ... Never Too Old to Learn)

Neo ... I have a Bigsby on my Gretsch (quite easy to change strings) and a Stetsbar Pro II on my Les Paul. The Stetsbar is by far the easiest tremolo to use, change strings, and stay in tune. An absolutely brilliant design, which I first heard about from our own Russell Harding.

http://i328.photobucket.com/albums/l349/Meisterjager/DSC01601.jpg

KeepItReal ... great chuckle from your post. Maybe he's in the "Banned" list ... I'll check. lol

Bill) ... you're soooo right about the helpfulness of everyone here at Chordie. A great community only happens with great people, and Chordians are top drawer.

  • beamer
  • beamer
  • THE METALIZER. Naughty Rocker Boy.
  • Offline
  • From: WASHINGTON ST
  • Registered: 2006-07-29
  • Posts: 2,811

Re: Active Pickups (or ... Never Too Old to Learn)

Floyds are not that bad.  I loved mine. and it was not a floating  one esither, but justr use your wedge on them:)

“Find your own sound.  Dont be a second rateYngwie Malmsteen be a first rate you”

– George Lynch 2013 (Dokken, Lynchmob, KXM, Tooth & Nail etc....)
  • From: West Georgia
  • Registered: 2006-10-14
  • Posts: 2,557

Re: Active Pickups (or ... Never Too Old to Learn)

TF Do you keep your pinky finger hooked around your Bigsby tail piece?

Bill

Epiphone Les Paul Studio
Fender GDO300 Orchestral - a gift from Amy & Jim
Rogue Beatle Bass
Journal: www.wheretobud.blogspot. com
  • From: Nova Scotia, Canada
  • Registered: 2013-01-20
  • Posts: 4,083

Re: Active Pickups (or ... Never Too Old to Learn)

Strummerboy Bill wrote:

TF Do you keep your pinky finger hooked around your Bigsby tail piece?

Bill

What an awesome question .. because the answer is "Yes" and "No" ... it depends on the song. For example, if I'm playing any Pink Floyd stuff, it's always in hand because Gilmour uses it constantly. Songs like "Coming Back to Life" have a constant but gentle tremolo use throughout the intro. Other songs it just pokes in occasionally for a solo effect, something like how Steve Hackett (formerly of Genesis) uses it, or like Alex Lifeson (Rush).