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January 2009
Posts: 4535
Location: Flahdaw | I tried to do a pre-search on this but couldn't figure out how to ask it, so I came up with nothing.
The Optima pre-amp in my 99 Collector's has a developed a vibration buzz when played unplugged. I know it is this because I removed the back plate, reached inside, held it, then plucked a string, and the buzzing was no longer there.
So is this a guitar shop fix only, or is there something I can do to remedy this? Looking inside, I couldn't see any way to tighten it down. Thanks for any help. |
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May 2008
Posts: 4996
Location: Phoenix AZ | Depends exactly what the source of the vibration is. Can you pin-point it?
I would check that the mounting screws are tight. Pry up the faceplate at the corners using a toothpick and tighten the 4 set screws.
Also check the pickup and output jack connections to the pre-amp. If these are lose a little dab of rubber cement on the outside of the jack can help. |
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December 2006
Posts: 6268
Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Here's an ol' shade tree mechanic trick that might help ya out. Take a long shaft screwdriver, tape the tip (for finish protection) and press the handle end to your ear. Pluck the offending string(s) and move the screwdriver tip to different locations on/within the git. Ya might get lucky...  |
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Joined:
January 2009
Posts: 4535
Location: Flahdaw | Originally posted by Gallerinski:
Depends exactly what the source of the vibration is. Can you pin-point it?
I would check that the mounting screws are tight. Pry up the faceplate at the corners using a toothpick and tighten the 4 set screws.
Also check the pickup and output jack connections to the pre-amp. If these are lose a little dab of rubber cement on the outside of the jack can help. I guess the only pinpointing I can confirm is that when I reach inside and press against the pre-amp, the buzzing stops.
Okay bearing in mind that I flunked out of guitar repair, are you talking about the face plate on the outside of the guitar or the plate covering the pre-amp on the inside of the guitar? :confused:
Thanks |
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June 2006
Posts: 7307
Location: South of most, North of few | I've had problems at one time or another with the wires slightly resting against the top and vibrating when played. Maybe by putting your hand in the guitar, you are inadvertently moving the wires too. Anyway, the screws to tighten the preamp to the trim ring are as Dave said, under the faceplate, which is just a thick sticker applied to the front. (the piece with the markings on it for volume, tone, notch, etc...) Another thought, the amp itself may have foam spacers that keep it pressured against the bowl and maybe one of those is missing or has lost it's elasticity. I had that issue with an OP24+C on a guitar once. |
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March 2005
Posts: 12754
Location: Boise, Idaho | You might need an extra set of ears. If you can hear the buzzing at the outside of the guitar by the preamp and can see any movement of it when you push on it, it might be a loose preamp. If so, you should also get it to stop by pushing on the outside of the preamp toward the inside of the guitar. If pushing on the outside doesnt' stop it, it probably isn't a loose preamp and you should look at some of the suggestions TJ makes. I don't think there's a cannister in those that could be loose. I just sold my 99, so I can't check. |
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Joined:
January 2009
Posts: 4535
Location: Flahdaw | I'm sending this "story" in case a future searcher types in... pre-amp vibration.
Well, at the risk of never getting it back together, I removed the faceplate, loosened the screws, and pulled out the pre-amp. It turns out the pre-amp has a cover (housing) that is screwed on top of it. It's kind of like a metal flap cover with 3 screws on each end holding it in place. Although it does have little seperators on each side (I suppose to keep it from vibrating metal on metal) it looks like a buzz waiting to happen.
So I unscrewed one side of the cover, lifted it up, and stuck some foam between the 2 peices of metal. Then I screwed everything back together.
Long story short, it seems to have helped. There is still a slight buzz on hard strumming, but fingerpicking is okay. I should have put in more foam and maybe will do it again as a rainy day project. Really an odd design, though, as there are so many metal edges in contact with each other that, you'd think, a buzz is inevitable.
Thanks for everyone's help. |
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January 2009
Posts: 4535
Location: Flahdaw | Hit the wrong button and sent a double message. |
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April 2008
Posts: 2985
Location: Sydney, Australia | Hey darkbarguitar, I had a similar issue with an Optima. Turned out it was a resonance vibration from the springs in the battery compartment. I fixed it with a small piece of cardboard under the battery. |
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January 2009
Posts: 4535
Location: Flahdaw | Yeah, that was the first thing I tried, hoping it would be something that simple...noooooooo. |
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May 2008
Posts: 154
Location: Michigan | Ah, when that happens to me I simply pull out the 12 gauge. :D
Wally |
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December 2006
Posts: 6268
Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Originally posted by birddog:
Ah, when that happens to me I simply pull out the 12 gauge. Ergo the site nomer! ;) |
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March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | Just give it a slap on the top near the pre-amp . . . THAT'll teach it! . . |
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March 2005
Posts: 12754
Location: Boise, Idaho | My 99 Collector with the Optima would turn on the tuner by itself, draining the battery. It took me awhile to figure out why the battery was dead every time I tried to use it. I just removed the battery for a couple years and then sold the guitar. The new owner is aware of the gremlin in his guitar, but wanted it anyway. |
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Joined:
January 2009
Posts: 4535
Location: Flahdaw | Originally posted by birddog:
Ah, when that happens to me I simply pull out the 12 gauge. :D
Wally Ahhhhh, I wondered why some people have so many guitars. Something goes wrong, you get a new one (or blow the bad one away) |
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June 2006
Posts: 7307
Location: South of most, North of few | I don't keep them long enough for anything to happen to them. :rolleyes: |
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HELP #2
