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Trying to diagnose my old guitar and whats wrong

  • 25-07-2013 2:32pm
    #1
    Lord TSC
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 42,788 Mod ✭✭✭✭


    I've had an electric guitar (Yamaha ERG 121) sitting in my wardrobe for 10 years, unused. Since I'm not using it, I wanted to give it as a present to someone, and wanted to check this morning if it was still working. Low and behold, and in a shocking twist, it wasn't.

    The power is going to the amp, and the amp was making that buzzing noise to say it was on. I plug the guitar into the amp, but no sound is coming out of it when I strum...for the most part. I fiddled round with the bass and treble and could get a faint sound, but at best with the volume up at full, it was only a very faint noise coming from the amp. But that means there's something going from the guitar to the amp, and neither are dead.

    Any ideas what might be causing the sound not to travel from the guitar to the amp, given that...
    1. Volume is up at 100% on both the amp and the guitar.
    2. Everything is plugged in right (I've checked and double checked).

    I know that's a question with vague symptoms given, but thought I'd ask in case anyone had ideas. Is there any tests I can do to check if there's a problem with the guitar, wires or amp? Or is it a "take it into a shop and see if it works in there" deal?


Comments

  • #2
    Gaspode
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,044 ✭✭✭Gaspode


    (before you do anything, dont have you amp up at 100% or it will frighten the crap out of everyone in the house and maybe bust a speaker if a signal does come through! 1 or 2 on the dial is fine, in fact keep it there during all your checking of the guitar)

    Could be any number of things - can you check the guitar lead is ok - when it's plugged into the amp remove it from the guitar and hold the the end of it with your finger - you should get a noticeable hum from it If you're not getting that loud hum, the lead could be dodgy.


  • #3
    martinedwards
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,045 ✭✭✭martinedwards


    10 years in a cupboard? might be some corrosion on the contacts inside the socket.

    insert and remove the plug a few times.


  • #4
    Fingers Mcginty
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,573 ✭✭✭Fingers Mcginty


    Sounds (excuse pun) like the problem is with the guitar to me but to make sure just plug another guitar in using the same cable straight into the amp.
    Check this first. :)


  • #5
    Lord TSC
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 42,788 Mod ✭✭✭✭Lord TSC


    martinedwards wrote: »
    10 years in a cupboard? might be some corrosion on the contacts inside the socket.

    insert and remove the plug a few times.

    Ha, that seems to work. Making grand music now, if you ignore my complete lack of ability. Thanks :)


  • #6
    il gatto
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,023 ✭✭✭il gatto


    Teamshadowclan wrote: »
    Ha, that seems to work. Making grand music now, if you ignore my complete lack of ability. Thanks :)

    Don't give it away. Learn it. Spend 20 minutes on YouTube and see what you think.


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  • #7
    Lord TSC
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 42,788 Mod ✭✭✭✭Lord TSC


    il gatto wrote: »
    Don't give it away. Learn it. Spend 20 minutes on YouTube and see what you think.

    Being honest, the problem stems from the fact my fingers ain't able to do much or reach cords, due to arthritis. No amount of practice is going to change the fact my fingers just don't move fast enough to do well at guitar.

    Thanks for the help guys. :)


  • #8
    endacl
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,412 ✭✭✭✭endacl


    A cheap electronic contact cleaner would be a good way to get a bit more life out of those sockets if they've started to corrode. Just spray a little on and plug/unplug a few times. The cleaner will just evaporate off.


  • #9
    il gatto
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,023 ✭✭✭il gatto


    Teamshadowclan wrote: »
    Being honest, the problem stems from the fact my fingers ain't able to do much or reach cords, due to arthritis. No amount of practice is going to change the fact my fingers just don't move fast enough to do well at guitar.

    Thanks for the help guys. :)

    Drums :D


  • #10
    endacl
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,412 ✭✭✭✭endacl


    il gatto wrote: »
    Drums :D

    That's cold, dude...

    :(


  • #11
    il gatto
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,023 ✭✭✭il gatto


    endacl wrote: »
    That's cold, dude...

    :(

    I know. Drums aren't even a real instrument :D
    Sorry :(


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  • #12
    ore_terra
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16 ✭ore_terra


    then... bass :-D


  • #13
    Dord
    Closed Accounts Posts: 10,817 ✭✭✭✭Dord


    Teamshadowclan wrote: »
    Being honest, the problem stems from the fact my fingers ain't able to do much or reach cords, due to arthritis. No amount of practice is going to change the fact my fingers just don't move fast enough to do well at guitar.

    Thanks for the help guys. :)

    Les Paul was able to manage. :pac:


  • #14
    petronius
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 849 ✭✭✭petronius


    im sure after 10 years the strings may be a bit rusty or manky
    may need a restring
    some shops i think will service and clean the fret board and restring for 20euro it may be an idea


  • #15
    slavetothegrind
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,789 ✭✭✭slavetothegrind


    petronius wrote: »
    im sure after 10 years the strings may be a bit rusty or manky
    may need a restring
    some shops i think will service and clean the fret board and restring for 20euro it may be an idea

    20 euro!

    where?


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