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Post subject: Heartfield DR-4 Battery Issues
Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2015 8:50 am
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I own a Heartfield DR-4 that I purchased back in 1992 and was wondering if anyone here has ever had issues with the 9 volt battery draining unusually fast. I would have to change it every gig if I didn't remember to take it out. I've owned other active basses and never had this issue. I was told back then that it was a design flaw and the reason they were discontinued.

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Post subject: Re: Heartfield DR-4 Battery Issues
Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2015 6:34 pm
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DR-4 is a super nice bass. Back in that period, the XLR output was great for recording.

No, I have never had that problem. I sold my last one to the drummer in my band, who wanted to expand his musicality. He is still using the same new 9V I game him. Not sure how often he plays it, but I used it in the studio for hours, no problem

Something is drawing your battery down, it is not normal.

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Post subject: Re: Heartfield DR-4 Battery Issues
Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2015 8:01 am
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I know it's weird... Took it to several shops in my area back in the 90s and no one could figure it out... I was told by a tech that it was a design flaw etc and they were being discontinued... a shame as it was a pretty nice bass... I still have it but its missing a tuning key (replaced with a hipshot, then subsequently lost) and the toggle switch snapped off at a gig years ago as well... Even replaced the battery cable several times... Oh well... I must've gotten the lemon lol

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Post subject: Re: Heartfield DR-4 Battery Issues
Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2015 11:43 am
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This is a jack problem. The cause of battery drain 100% of the time is a jack that isn't breaking power circuit when the plug is removed causing the battery to be draining all the time. It is an extremely common issue on Asian active basses. The cure is to replace the phone jack. The 1/4 inch jack on these are the barrel type jacks sometimes called "panel" jacks.

I'd use the SWITCHCRAFT version. The Asian ones sold by Allparts work for a while then do exactly what you describe or get to where they make connection only intermittently on the audio side. They are a waste of time. I only would use a Switchcraft 152B jack on this. They are about $11. Amazon has them. Make photo of the original contact connections and rewire the new jack the same way. This is a simple fix.


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Post subject: Re: Heartfield DR-4 Battery Issues
Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2015 11:02 am
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Quote:
they make connection only intermittently on the audio side


As an aside, but related to this thread, BD makes a huge point about those jacks - and not just on active basses. The original jacks are of poor quality (imo) and corrode easily. Of the dozen Performers I own, I would guess more than half had jack issues when I received them. While you can clean them up with a little Brasso on a Q-Tip, if it is corrosion (green on tip) it is only a matter of time before complete failure. Crackling, buzzing, and other unwanted sounds, especially when the jack is moved, along with moments of total silence, is very common.

Update: I don't do many repairs, my soldering skills still suck, so I emailed my tech - he also uses Switchcraft for replacements.

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Post subject: Re: Heartfield DR-4 Battery Issues
Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2015 8:35 am
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WOW!! Thank you to both brotherdave and affprod!! I will look into replacing the jack.. not in too much of a hurry since the bass is "retired" but definitely worth doing at some point in the future.. Funny thing is I asked about the jack when the problem first started and the tech said no lol...

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Post subject: Re: Heartfield DR-4 Battery Issues
Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2015 2:28 am
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eyezomb wrote:
WOW!! Thank you to both brotherdave and affprod!! I will look into replacing the jack.. not in too much of a hurry since the bass is "retired" but definitely worth doing at some point in the future.. Funny thing is I asked about the jack when the problem first started and the tech said no lol...


You may need a different tech. Have him or your new tech change the jack to the Switchcraft 152B.


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Post subject: Re: Heartfield DR-4 Battery Issues
Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2015 10:23 am
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I do most of the work myself now... this guy was from 20 years ago when the bass was new lol.

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Post subject: Re: Heartfield DR-4 Battery Issues
Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2015 11:41 pm
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eyezomb wrote:
I do most of the work myself now... this guy was from 20 years ago when the bass was new lol.


Ok, please post the outcome of the jack swap here. Also note whether or not the jack you are replacing is marked Switchcraft. Amazon and others have the Switchcraft 152B jack you need.


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Post subject: Re: Heartfield DR-4 Battery Issues
Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2015 7:10 am
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Will do... thank you again for your advise!

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Fender STD Precision Fretless (SB)
Squier 20th Anniversary Precision (BLK)
Fender Heartfield DR4 (White)
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Ampeg SVT 8x10
BOSS ME-50 Multi-pedal
MXR M-80 Bass DI


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Post subject: Re: Heartfield DR-4 Battery Issues
Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2015 2:50 pm
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BD is spot on with this advice. I have gone through this problem with another bass of mine that drains batteries in spite of having the panel jack replaced. I used an allparts jack and I should have bought a Swictchcraft jack because the bass still has the battery drain problem.

How many think that Radio Shack would still be in business if the sold quality USA made parts and not the asian crap that they sold constantly?

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