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Joined:
December 2009
Posts: 14
Location: Seattle | Hello,
I am new here and I am looking for advice on what I can do to fix the electronics on my old 12 string Pacemaker. The model is the Pacemaker 1615, 12 string, serial number 244xxx. The issue is the electronics are not working. I rarely use an amp, but we do have one at work and I occasionally bring it in to play this guitar. Today I discovered that it wouldn't work, so I changed the battery. It still didn't work. I know the amp is fine because it works with other guitars, and I've used this guitar on this particular amp several times previously. I tried to take some photos inside the body but they didn't turn out too good, but they do show some corrosion where the battery terminals connect. See photos. The wires appear to be intact, at least they don't seem to be flopping around. Any advice? Or is this a job for a certified Ovation repair place?
Thanks,
Cliff
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Joined:
November 2006
Posts: 3969
| Welcome Cliff. You are in a unique position to take advantage of 2 Ovation electronics experts and parts hoarders - Mr. Ovation and MWoody are both in your area.
The problem could be a simple fix, like re-soldering a loose output jack wire, or a bad battery contact. If the wires to the undersaddle pickup are bad, you'd need to replace the saddle-pickup assembly. Wore-case is a fried pre-amp, in which case you'd have to replace the whole pre-amp. If you're handy with a multimeter and a soldering iron, you could probably diagnose it yourself. If not, maybe one of the folks I mentioned above could help you out. |
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Joined:
November 2009
Posts: 152
Location: Corpus Christi, TX | By looking at your picture it is hard to tell but it looks like the negative terminal (the one on the right) has some surface corrosion.
I would take a small pocket knife or similar and scrape the top of the terminal, better yet a pencil eraser will work if you can get to it.
It also looks like the negative terminal has compressed over the years and may not be making good contact.You could bend it up some but if it breaks you've got a new set of problems.
I would take some soft foam and place it on the other end of the battery when you install it putting more pressure on the terminals.
If the above doesn't work you have at least eliminated the battery holder as the problem. If it does work then you are back in business until you can install a new battery holder.
Good luck! |
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Joined:
October 2005
Posts: 4081
Location: Utah | I am not familiar with the specific electronics in your guitar. How does it get turned on? If you plug in a cord to turn it on, the output jack could be the problem. Contacts could be bent or corroded preventing it from turning on. Alternatively, the preamp could be working but the output jack has another problem and so the signal doesn't get to the amp. Maybe a broken wire on the output jack or just corrosion there. |
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Joined:
November 2002
Posts: 3664
Location: Pacific Northwest Inland Empire | Hmmm.....you live too close to the sea, I think. Its dry over here, at least.
I think some judicious work with some Radio Shack electronic contact cleaner is in order.
Best of luck, Cliff! |
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Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13996
Location: Upper Left USA | How about a BBQ at my house next weekend and we'll take look at it?
Most likely the contacts. |
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Joined:
December 2009
Posts: 14
Location: Seattle | Thanks to all of you for your suggestions. I will follow through with trying to clean the corrosion on the contacts. MWOODY - thank you for the invite. Unfortunately, I'm attending my own family get together next weekend. But if I can't fix this I would love to bring it over to you. I love Port Orchard, too, so it would be a double treat.
Thanks,
Cliff |
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Pacemaker Electronics Problems