Also known as folk guitar, the acoustic guitar is a modern type of guitar. These guitars usually have strings made of steel and come with a cutaway. Their necks are also thinner, and their bodies tend to be smaller than their classical counterparts.
Although they can be used to play any genre, musicians mainly prefer them for playing in concerts and auditoriums. With that out of the way, no matter how durable an instrument is, they all come with their shortcomings. Some common problems have been associated with acoustic guitars, like any sophisticated instrument.
However, fixing these issues is a pretty straightforward affair in most cases. One of those common issues is that the preamp of these guitars does not work sometimes.
Most musicians would be familiar with preamp and its role in an acoustic guitar. A preamp, or preamplifier, is a device used to amplify the signals of your acoustic guitar. Essentially, it takes weak signals of your guitar and makes them louder, increasing your guitar’s strength.
When you are playing the guitar at a studio, you may not need a preamp as everyone would be able to hear the sound clearly. However, if you are performing in an auditorium, sharing the sound with the entire crowd could be difficult, which is why a preamp is a must-have for every performer.
Acoustic Guitar Preamp Not Working
Here are a few troubleshooting steps if your guitar’s preamp is not working.
1. Check for Compatibility
If the preamp of your acoustic guitar is not working, the first and foremost thing to make sure of is that the preamp is compatible with your guitar.
Today, there are countless models of acoustic guitars on the market, and it goes without saying that not all preamps are compatible with all acoustic guitar models.
To use a preamp with your acoustic guitar, the preamp must be compatible with your guitar. This is why it is recommended first to make sure that the preamp is compatible with your guitar model before buying it so your hard-earned cash won’t go down the drain.
To find out whether a preamp could be used with your acoustic guitar or not, you’d need to research on the internet. Consider visiting your guitar manufacturer’s website, and if it doesn’t help, consider going through the website of your preamp manufacturer company.
There are many forums on the internet that can help you with your research. However, it is pertinent to mention that if the preamp is not compatible with your acoustic guitar, it will not work. If it worked fine early on but stopped working all of a sudden, this is not because of compatibility issues.
2. Battery Issues
If the preamp of your acoustic guitar has stopped working recently, there could be something wrong with its battery. The preamps are powered with batteries, which are usually 9V batteries. Like other devices that run on battery, it is recommended to keep a check on the battery of your preamp.
It can die over time, and your preamp will not work when it does. If that’s the case, you will need to replace the battery of your preamp. Depending on the model of your acoustic guitar, the battery may be in a different place. Start by buying a new preamp battery.
The good news for you is that preamp batteries are readily available in the market. You can also go online and buy one for your acoustic guitar. There are many online companies that offer these batteries.
It is important to note that your preamp may run on a different battery voltage. In most cases, preamps come with a 9 V battery, but you should not take it for granted. It’s a good idea to always check the voltage before purchasing a battery.
To change the battery of your preamp, you will need to find the battery compartment first. Once you have found it, open its flap. The flaps of most guitars open pretty quickly, and you won’t need to apply any force at all.
After that, take out the old died-out battery from the compartment. Now, put in the new battery according to the terminals. Once you have successfully installed the battery, you are good to go! Play the acoustic guitar to find out whether it has fixed the problem or not.
3. Check Cables
Cables are used to connect the preamp to the amp and guitar. For a preamp to work fine, its cables should be in good condition and connected properly with the amp and the guitar. If the preamp of your acoustic guitar is not working, the chances are that its cables may have worn out.
If you suspect that the cables are the culprit, you will need to inspect them closely. If they have gone loose, disconnect them and connect them again properly. This will most likely fix the problem for you.
However, if the problem still persists, you may need to replace the cables of your preamp. If changing the cables resolves the issue, and your preamp starts working, the cables were causing the problem.
4. Check Connectors
A bad connector is another common reason why the preamp of your acoustic guitar may stop working. The connector may break or wear out for some reason, and you will need to check it to fix the problem. If it has worn out, consider changing it, so your preamp starts working again.
To get connectors, visit any musical instruments store in your area, and you will find them there. If you do not know how to replace connectors, you may ask the shop owner for it.
5. Get It Checked
If you have tried all the aforementioned workarounds and nothing has worked for you, consider seeking help from a professional to get it checked and repaired. Acoustic guitars are widely used instruments, so the chances are that you will easily be able to find a company to repair your preamp.
Remember that a preamp is a sensitive device, and if you do not have enough knowledge, you may end up damaging it beyond repair. So, experts recommend that you should always see a trained professional if you run into some problem and are unsure about it.
If it is your first time and you do not know about any repair specialist, you may search for a company online. Quick internet research will provide you with lots of companies in your area.
If someone you know owns an acoustic guitar, you may ask them for referrals. If they had a good experience with a company, they would surely let you know.
6. Contact Customer Care
If nothing has fixed the problem, reaching out to YOUR preamp manufacturer is the last resort. They will tell you the reasons why your preamp may not be working.
Some preamps come with a warranty, so check if you are still in the warranty period. If it has not expired, you may end up getting a replacement or repair for free.
In addition to that, the preamps come with a product manual. These manuals have everything you need to know to use preamps, and they may have the solution for your problem as well. So, consider reading them for more guidance.
Bottom Line
Acoustic guitars are a popular choice among musicians. These guitars use preamps to strengthen their signals. If the preamp of your acoustic guitar is not working, start by making sure that it is compatible with your acoustic guitar model.
If it is compatible, check its battery to see if there is something wrong with it. Apart from them, consider checking the cables and connectors as well. If they have worn out, do not attempt to fix them on your own and visit a professional to get them fixed.