D42SCE Fix-up

[copperhead]

I would like some feedback on something.............

This D42 came with a B-Band 3 Tone pickup system (no tuner). It works well.

On this Crate amp I bought, there is a switch for either "Active" of "Piezo".

Question: What type of pickup device is the B-Band 3 Tone? Active or Piezo?

EDIT: I think I found the answer. From the B-Band website:

""Hear the Truth"
B-Band is a manufacturer of high quality pickup systems for acoustic guitars, double basses and drums. All B-Band pickups use our proprietary patented electret film technology instead of common piezo materials. Piezo pickups tend to impart a sound of their own, often described as "quacky" or "plastic", B-Band transducers act in much the same way a condenser microphone does. This results in excellent reproduction of your acoustic instrument's unique voice. "Hear the Truth"."

It's not a Piezo. It's something else.

[vheissu]

I bought a new amp cable for the D42, with straight connectors. This was a mistake. one end needs to be 90 degrees.

May I just ask. Why? I have bought countless cables over the years (Even when I wasn't guitaring, I was sound-teching/light teching etc) and have never really seen a point in the 90 degree cables. If anything, they just make stuff more awkward for me. I have tried them, just prefer straight, gold plated, cables.

[copperhead]

vheissu: "May I just ask. Why?"

Sure. It's a personal preference thing. With a straight connector plugged into the strap/input on the D42, the guitar cannot be set down on a stand without unplugging it.

A 90 degree would permit that.

Also, a straight connector really sticks out far on the guitar. A 90 degree would reduce possible bumps and bangs.

That's what I was thinking.

[vheissu]

Fair enough. Wasn't saying either way was particularly wrong or right, was just curious. It makes sense for your guitar if it has the jack in the strap button. Personally that's never been an issue for me as my stand is stupidly high.

In answer to your other questions, I don't know whether you particularly have an active pickup. I would have thought it would just be a bog-standard passive, but I could be wrong. Sadly, I've been out of the guitar game for a few years now and a lot of knowledge has leaked out. Dipping my toes back in the water now and I'll hopefully be diving in fully again soon.

[copperhead]

vheissu: "Dipping my toes back in the water now and I'll hopefully be diving in fully again soon."

Yes, do it. I find practicing on the guitar to be an enjoyable challenge. Most people would profit from participating in some type of music, just for their own personal improvement.

I like acoustic guitars because they are portable, instant and sound good.

[t.y.]

Remember to unplug the jack, if it takes a batt, or the batt, will go dead..  Tom. 

[copperhead]

Thanks, Tom. I didn't know that.

[t.y.]

Also you want the least amount of stress possible on that thin but strong wood.  I am waiting for my local store to get heavy duty 90's in for my guitars.Been waiting a week. I worry most about the OE30, front jack.  I double wrap my cable for now before plugging in. Will still wrap them, for safety. Such as catching and pulling.  Tom.    P.S.   I am kinda clumsy, I step on mine now and then.  LOL.

[cedwards]

I bought a new amp cable for the D42, with straight connectors. This was a mistake. one end needs to be 90 degrees.

May I just ask. Why? I have bought countless cables over the years (Even when I wasn't guitaring, I was sound-teching/light teching etc) and have never really seen a point in the 90 degree cables. If anything, they just make stuff more awkward for me. I have tried them, just prefer straight, gold plated, cables.

Hey Ben,

Not the case here but I have a Vox AD30VT amp. On that and similar models, the input jack is vertical into the top of the amp. One of the main knocks on this amp is that it is fairly easy, with a good tug on the chord, to yank the jack out of position. If loosened too much, the jack assembly can actually drop straight down into the amp. That results in a MAJOR pain. So, in that case, a 90 degree connector is almost a necessity - it greatly reduces the chance of torquing the jack inside the amp.. I also tie a loop through the amp handle before going into the jack. The combination of basement, beer, rock and suspect connectors demands all possible precautions.

The other knock on the 30VT, BTW, is the stock speaker. I was just telling The Lovely Wife, this very minute, that a Celestion G10 Greenback (or Vintage) would make a very nice Christmas gift indeed - nothing quite like new gear to tinker with over the holidays.

It's a great little amp and I love its versatility and tone (through the headphones). But you get what you pay for.

[jimsmithsr]

Passing along some information on this series....

D-42 S Series.....made from 1999 to about 2001

Guitars in this series:

D-42 S

D-42 S-12

D-42 SCE

Well made guitars and kind of hard to find ( especially the D-42 S )....This series was imported from China and replaced by the D-46 S Series in 2002.

[copperhead]

Thanks for the info, jimsmithsr. Though I have not verified it, I think the D42 has a thinner neck than other Washburns. (It is thinner than the Oscar Schmidt OG2 I have.) This may be why there is a stamped note inside the sound hole that the D42 is to be used with light or medium strings only.

**********************
Another topic on this D42:

I have an intermittent "crackle" that comes thru the amp speakers. I can't seem to locate its source. The guitar has a new good quality cord, which I have tried both ends.  The pre-amp is a B-Band 3Tone (circa 2001). When I try to get it to "crackle" it won't do it. It only does it every other time I use the amp, and then only a crackle or two and it doesn't do it again the rest of the practice session.

Anyone familiar with acoustic/electrics give me some things to look for as  a source? I have already cleaned the plug receptical in the guitar.

[evenkeel]

Congrats on the Crate amp.  I used to own one.  It's a good solid acoustic amp.  If you have not already done so check out the owners manual.

http://www.crateamps.com/pdf/manuals/CA60_OM.pdf

Getting the E.Q. set to your liking will be the only challenge.  My advice is to set all the E.Q. controls to the middle and get a good feel for how things sound with those settings.  Then adjust lows, mids and highs to your liking. 

[copperhead]

evenkeel,

Thanks for the link. I down loaded the PDF.
I like the CRATE because it reproduces the acoustic sound nicely. It is plenty loud, too.

To me, using the chorus feature, turned up a bit, sounds good with songs like "Scarborough Fayre".

[Jroedersheimer]

I bought my guitar used in 1981, after I lost an ovation stupid drunk after my daughter was born. Anyway, as I understand this model was manufactured from 1980, my serial number starts with 78. Is it possible that it was from 1978? My serial number is 785305

[evenkeel]

I'm guessing you are not asking about D42, D42SCE but some other model Washburn.  A serial number beginning with the numbers 78 could mean a build date of 1978.  Could also be 1987.  Need to confirm the model number, plus some pictures would be helpful.