SOUND ON SOUND

[Charlie17]

I can't possibly be the first person to wonder, after awkwardly fitting my rather large hands into the sound hole of my Martin to replace the battery that there must be a better way to power an active pick up.

Is delivering the current via a new type of quarter inch cable out of the question? Has it been tried? We power solid state condenser microphones via the cable itself, why not with acoustic guitars? Or an easily rechargeable lithium battery. Something other than the crude 9volt battery solution. Thoughts?

[Folderol]

It's perfectly possible. I would guess the reason why it's not common is that people are reluctant to use a well known standard lead/plug configuration in a non-standard way. You would also either need a source of power added in-line (possibly phantom power from a mic preamp) or a modified amplifier - which could then have problems if connected to a conventional pickup.

Then of course there's plain old inertia, as in "We've always done it this way" :lol:

[Sam Spoons]

Why not just have a battery box fitted into the side of the guitar? I'm reluctant to put holes in a nice guitar but it is probably the simplest idea. Or use a TRS lead and have a box on the floor with a remote battery pack. Most acoustic guitars use the sleeve of a TS plug to switch the battery on and off, you could use the same socket with minimal rewiring to supply power up the wire so you don't have to delve into the guitar to change batteries.

[ef37a]

Fit a rechargeable battery in the guitar and have a cable tucked inside that you can fish out?

I just did a quick test and the two mini and micro USB plugs I found by my chair were strongly attracted to a magnet.

Dave.

[zenguitar]

The old Yamaha AG stomp had a dummy battery to fit in your guitar and instead supplied 9V DC through the ring connection of a TRS cable.

The dummy PP3 battery was just a simple +ve/-ve connector but had the advantage of being a straight swap for the battery. A simple PP3 battery connector with the terminal leads wired together would do the same job.

In theory, all you need is a Hammond project box with a 9V DC input, a mono 1/4" output socket, and a TRS 1/4" input socket. Wire the +ve from the 9V DC to the input ring, the output from the pick-up to the TRS tip and both the negative from the 9V DC and the ground of the pick-up to the TRS sleeve.

In practice, you need to understand how your guitar is currently wired so that you can be certain this will work for you. Some pre-amps use the ring connection for a 2nd signal and rely on a switched TRS socket to do the power switching for the pre-amp. So, do your homework or find a trusted tech to do it for you.

Andy :beamup:

[ef37a]

Andy, do you have any schematics? Can't get my head around power switching with a TRS jack because they are "normally closed".

Also, be careful chaps around guitar supplies etc because almost all pedals are negative centre. **** knows why!

Dave.

[Wonks]

Not all jack sockets are the same. For example, here's a 9-lug TRS socket with two additional switches. https://www.stewmac.com/Pickups_and_Electronics/Components_and_Parts/Jacks/9-lug_Stereo_Jack.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=shopping&utm_campaign=2018-12-gp&pref_currency=P&shipcalc=UK&gclid=CjwKCAiA0uLgBRABEiwAecFnkxWBBQ3mWzPhK3tgozD3g6kmQRx3k_uGgOGtLDIHI1m3oubOBTARiRoCDFMQAvD_BwE

[ef37a]

Not all jack sockets are the same. For example, here's a 9-lug TRS socket with two additional switches. https://www.stewmac.com/Pickups_and_Electronics/Components_and_Parts/Jacks/9-lug_Stereo_Jack.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=shopping&utm_campaign=2018-12-gp&pref_currency=P&shipcalc=UK&gclid=CjwKCAiA0uLgBRABEiwAecFnkxWBBQ3mWzPhK3tgozD3g6kmQRx3k_uGgOGtLDIHI1m3oubOBTARiRoCDFMQAvD_BwE

Yes, have those in mono-stereo/Z switching speaker cabs but did not know they put them in guitars. Thanks.

Dave.

[Jumpeyspyder]

Mount batteries in guitar strap, with a short jack cable

and get a strap end pin with a built in jack socket

https://www.cbgitty.com/cigar-box-guitar-parts/chrome-guitar-end-pin-strap-button-jack-with-2-5mm-input-jack/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIt6jPtYyp3wIV6pPtCh1JewUZEAAYASAAEgKBdPD_BwE

[ef37a]

Further on the rechargeable route? Tother day I boiught a 1200mA/hr phone backup battery for £1.00 from Poundland! Two of those in series and you would probably get a good year between charges.

Dave.

[Sam Spoons]

I have three so far, and was going to ask the question about running the USB outputs in series as they are derived from a dc-dc convertor?

The only thing I would be concerned about is wires rattling about inside an acoustic guitar causing buzzes etc (love the magnet idea though Dave).

[ef37a]

I have three so far, and was going to ask the question about running the USB outputs in series as they are derived from a dc-dc convertor?

The only thing I would be concerned about is wires rattling about inside an acoustic guitar causing buzzes etc (love the magnet idea though Dave).

Ah! Don't know about the DC-DC converters? I shall get a couple more today and bust them open and have a play. My son's Turner acoustic has Fishman electronics and all is contained in a very soft faux leather bag. I am sure you all can get creative with some foam?

Some years ago I built a pedal PSU using a DC-DC converter so it could be used from any PC USB port. Hiked it around a bit but nobody was interested.

Dave.

[Wonks]

Two of those in series and you would probably get a good year between charges

You could get rather tyred playing, though. :D

[Sam Spoons]

Don't go off-tread Wonky :tongue:

[ef37a]

Don't go off-tread Wonky :tongue:

Oh! I don't know? I though that was pretty "slick" !!

Off to town now. DESPERATE for something crissified for 'er indoors and I shall grab some batts.

Dave.

[Wonks]

Off to town now. DESPERATE for something crissified for 'er indoors and I shall grab some batts.

Does she like playing cricket?

[BillB]

Not sure how adaptable / appropriate this is, but just a thought:

https://www.andertons.co.uk/guitar-dept ... s-with-jtv)

[Wonks]

Fixed link (for long URLs you need to manually put the [ url ] boxes around the link or it doesn't work).

https://www.andertons.co.uk/guitar-dept/electric-guitar-accessories/other-electric-guitar-accessories/line-6-variax-cabled-power-kit-inc-ab-box-stereo-cable-and-psu-(works-with-jtv)

[Watchmaker]

A few thoughts.
1. a 9v battery has far more potential than a guitar needs, but they have a very very long life at low current draws
2. My L.R.Baggs pup uses a CR2626 which is rather small but they can also be hard to access
3. given that guitars need very low voltages, why not some sort of a photo-voltaic array disguised as a pick guard? (patent pending!)
4. why use an active pup ?
5. strap mounted battery's a great idea
6. wearable fabrics are coming soon.
7. harness the static from the roadies.

[zenguitar]

Sorry Dave, no schematics.

In a lot of guitars with pre-amps the power is 'switched on' when the jack plug is inserted. The guitar has a TRS socket with the power circuit connected to the ring connection. But the 'trick' is that the guitarist uses a TS jack plug so the ring connection is connected to ground which completes the circuit.

The AG stomp takes advantage of this connection to inject power into the circuit.

Andy :beamup: