Lessons, Recordings, How Tos, Repair, Accessories > Lessons, Recordings, How Tos, Repair, Accessories

Bad news for my ES

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forhim:
Got my new (well used) Fishman Pro (600w) amp and it's great...though my ES system is totally not happening.  Line level noise prevents me from turning the gain up on my amp.  The sssssssssssssssssssssssss that comes out of the ES system is totally not gonna work.

Don't get me wrong....the guitar that I'm playing, an '09 414ce-LTD is a wonderful guitar.  It's just a shame that electronics can make a great guitar sound super cheap.

So here's what I did...

1. tried the guitar straight into the amp...both channels...hiss
2. ran through my lr baggs venue di going 1/4 pin out...hiss
3. ran through lr baggs venue di going xlr out into xlr in...hiss
4. actually changed the ES preamp (same model)...hiss

This is how I determined it wasn't the amp...

1. unplugged everything and turned up gain and master volume...nothing (although reaching the max of the gain stage and volume produce some sound...but no hiss
2. plugged in a mic and cranked gain and volume...no hiss
3. called Taylor customer service...twice

The first time I called the rep was nice but only told me, "The ES has a noise floor and there's really nothing we can do about it."  I asked whether the 2010 upgrade addressed these issues...he said "No."

I called customer service again and the next rep was much more giving of information.  Again he mentioned the noise floor and suggested a new battery, etc.  So I followed his instructions even to the point of trying out a completely different ES preamp.

I've seen numerous other posts on ES issues and I really want to like it, but alas it's development seems far from final.  I guess I have a hard time believing that something both Taylor (renowed for their focus on great and consistent products) as well as Rupert Neve (a renowned developer of sound equipment) would be satisfied with any kind of "noise floor."

Incidentally, going through the Venue DI, I decided to exploit the gain stage on the Venue as much as possible.  With the ES volume at detent I could never get the gain on the Venue to show red even with the hardest strumming.  Even with a new battery, the signal level wasn't as hot as it should have been, IMHO.

I've decided to order an lr baggs anthem system.  I've spent a combined 2-3 hours on the phone with Brian from LR Baggs and he is the most knowledgeable and patient customer service rep I've ever had the pleasure of speaking with.  They've told me that if the Anthem doesn't work in my situation, they would help me get the components I need without any extra charge.

As for the ES...it will be removed and I will be purchasing this...

http://www.truplugusa.com/

...to facilitate the ES removal and anthem install

What a bummer...but here's to no line level noise....hope the Baggs comes through.

jalbert:
I am sorry to hear of your problems with the ES. I am curious: have you tried another guitar through the new amp? Ideally you could try another Taylor with the ES, and a guitar with a Fishman or other brand of electronics. This will possibly rule out a problem with your pre-amp. I am also curious whether you've tried the guitar with a full band going--you might not notice the noise floor when the volume level is loud.

forhim:
I've not tried another guitar because I only have the one...trying another ES preamp (same model number though) is basically like trying another ES equipped guitar. 

The line level noise would most assuredly be covered up by the band...but it would not just go through the amp but if the DI were used the line level noise would also go into the PA.

The only other source I've put through the amp was the mic and, like I said, I cranked it up.

The band is very particular about gear running well...all things considered of course.  One cannot control circumstances that are present say at a gig.  But, identifying problems before a gig, should give us an advantage so we are not dealing with things like this.

The amp would likely get used in the bands more acoustic settings (2 acoustic guitars and an acoustic bass) and the line noise would be very disrupting. 

michaelw:
i was just wondering if your guitar exhibited the same concern with the 130W loud box
that you mentioned in your 'diamond in the rough' thread, which will hopefully be moved here -
a ground fault test plug to check the outlet the amp is being powered from would verify a good ground &
if there is a ground-lift or 'phase-switch in your signal chain, have other settings made any difference at all

an a/b box, with nothing plugged into the second channel should eliminate the noise floor ('mute')
when the guitar is not being placed, but i'm unsure if there might be a 'pop' through the system :(

i may have missed this & if so, i apologize - if the guitar was purchased new, i would contact an
authorized repair center in your area or if there is a good tech that can submit warranty claims

since you have the 9V system, an upgrade to the 2010 single body sensor with discrete pre-amp, would be a very viable
alternative & if it is something you feel you can install yourself, then the $ for the 'updated' system itself is very reasonable

either way, i am sorry for the issues & frustration you are experiencing & the Anthem is a fine system, imho -
i hope that you are able to resolve the concerns & are able to have the plugged in tone you desire soon

forhim:
I think it did...though I don't remember...I really only used it once and I don't remember...it's possible the gain was very low and the volume was up on the guitar channel.

I haven't messed with ground lift, etc...I will when I get home.

The a/b is an option, but the noise is just disconcerting even when playing

I thought about the ES upgrade...the GC6 I had has the upgrade and I liked it but I just wish the folks at Taylor could provide me with better answers.  Granted they cannot diagnose a guitar accurately over the phone but the information given on the new preamp wasn't enough to cause me to order it and the new harness.  LR Baggs on the other hand would have stayed on the phone with me for what seemed like forever...I always hang up with them knowing so much more than I did before I called.

Like I mentioned before, trying a completely different preamp is almost like trying a different guitar...granted it's running through the same harness, battery, etc.

Thanks for your help

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