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Post subject: Testing XLR jack on Heartfield DR
Posted: Sat Nov 11, 2017 8:25 am
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Hobbyist
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Joined: Sat Mar 07, 2009 3:56 pm
Posts: 8
Hi everyone. Long time proud owner and player of Hartfield basses here.

I recently picked up a Heartfield DRC. The bass plays and sounds great but I am not sure thr XLR works.

I plugged the bass into my amp using and XLR to 1/4” cable and got no sound. So I tried this with my 4 string and my 5 string DRs because I realized I never rested them and they also produced no sound.

Does this mean there something wrong with my XLR Jacks on all three basses? Or am I supposed to be plugging into a different type of input that my GK backline amp does not have?


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Post subject: Re: Testing XLR jack on Heartfield DR
Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 9:59 pm
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Aspiring Musician
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Joined: Fri Oct 29, 2010 10:22 am
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You should try using an XLR into a PA or mixer.

C/S,
Rev J


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Post subject: Re: Testing XLR jack on Heartfield DR
Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2017 12:33 am
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Rock Star
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Location: Albemarle, NC
Rev J is giving good advice there. The XLR out is low impedance like 150 Ohms. The phone jack input on a bass amp is high impedance, like 10K Ohms. That is a huge difference. It needs to be plugged into a mic preamp and not a high impedance quarter inch phone jack amp input. I must admit I've not played one in 25 years, but can offer the following other info.

If the active preamp works into a high impedance amp input, leave the quarter inch plug in and try the XLR into a mixer/PA again. If memory serves me correctly the quarter inch phone jack is the power switch for the preamp. The phone jack being the power switch means that when the bass has a guitar cable plugged into it the preamp is on, and when the guitar cable is out the preamp is off.

If it still does not work and the battery is known to be good it is possible the preamp has died. These instruments are approaching 28 years old. Electronics break down, wear out, etc. In the event the preamp is bad, which I hope is not the case, the diagram at the following link can help you wire in an aftermarket preamp such as a Aquilar. http://www.heartfield-central.com/data/085.pdf

A final note. The barrel type Asian made quarter-inch three connector jacks (sometimes called panel jacks) are awful and can go bad in a heartbeat. I think before replacing the preamp I'd replace the jack with a SWITCHCRAFT branded one to make sure the jack is working 100%. The Switchcraft part number is 152B and these jacks are made in the USA and last much longer.


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Post subject: Re: Testing XLR jack on Heartfield DR
Posted: Tue Jan 02, 2018 4:41 pm
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Joined: Sat Mar 07, 2009 3:56 pm
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Thanks guys. It occurred to me that plugging in the 1/4 inch activates the pre, hence batteries die if you leave active basses plugged in.

So I tried the quarter inch jack plugged in and ran an XLR to 1/4 inch jack into my amp and all was groovy. Same levels as quarter inch and all.

I know that Wals require you have a 1/4 plugged in to use the XLR but I believe Heartfieds can get phantom power from PA etc. But this is based on my 25+ year memories of gigging my Heartfield in college.

That said I should be getting to rehearsal later this week where I will have a chance to run into a PA and will eagerly report back with results so that there is some record of how these things work engraved here on the Fenderwebs.

Thanks everyone.

Rock on.


RBM


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