Hohner B2A Volume Drop

[BrickBeat]

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Hi all - related post to this but some of you might be able to help me! I have an 80s B2A which has always given stalwart service over the years however I found out recently the OP volume had dropped dramatically. New battery, no loose connections that I can see, active indicator working and there is a noticeable different between the 'pre-amped' setting and the passive setting so I an only assume that the pre-amp is working - oh and yes I have already thought about the volume attenuator on the back![/font][/color]

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]I'm OK for gigs as I have a couple of Ibanez to choose from also, although this has been my main weapon of choice forever and it feels right on stage - well for me anyway!!! The first time I noticed it was the other week when I noticed that he master volume on my amp had to be way up from normal and my initial thought was the amp had developed a fault. I checked a spare amp to find the same problem and when I a/b'b the Hohner against one of the Ibanez the I fond that the Ibby was working perfectly happily but only needing about 50% of the amp's master volume![/font][/color]

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]I can only assume there may be a capacitor or something in the B2A's circuitry has gone south for the season any I'm out of my comfort zone with either of the Ibanez's although I have to admit the SR is an absolute melter to play! Does anyone have any (sensible) suggestions or experienced identical problems? [/font][/color]

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Tah[/font][/color]

[HowieBass]

Modern capacitors tend not to fail unless they're of the electrolytic variety which I doubt you'll have in your bass; the old fashioned paper in oil (PIO) and waxed paper caps do dry out (and fail) but again I think unlikely to be fitted in the Hohner. The first thing I'd check is that the output jack has no corrosion or crud built up on the contacts so check and clean that first. Next I'd use switch cleaner in the control pots (especially the volume) to make sure they're not at fault in any way. Does the bass work in passive mode with no battery in the circuit and if so does it seem as loud as usual? If the volume drop is only revealed when in active mode then I have to assume that the preamp circuitry is the problem but hopefully other BCers with the same bass might have better advice for you.

Edit: Oh yeah I'd also check the battery contacts to make sure you have no corrosion or crud from an old leaking battery as well.

Edited August 30, 2014 by HowieBass

[BrickBeat]

Thanks for your input Howie but I guess you didn't fully read my posting regarding new batteries and checking the wiring, checked all of this stuff and been around the block a few times hence the confusion!

Thanks anyway.

[HowieBass]

Yeah I spotted you'd changed the battery and done a visual inspection of the wiring; I just wondered if there was some oxidation somewhere causing an issue. I've read on here that somebody found they had a new battery that was faulty and that had clouded the issue when trying to diagnose a problem. If it's been a sudden volume drop then I suppose that's more likely an electronics/preamp thing. Hopefully somebody more knowledgable will be able to help.