Hello,

I have a beautiful blue '84 Elite Strat I need help finding someone to repair it.

The problem is I cannot get the sound of the strings out of the guitar. When I tap on the pick-ups, I can hear tapping. But whenever I turn the volume knob in makes an awful electronic, thick, almost wave-form sound.

I've changed pickups, checked connections, etc. The only thing I have not changed is the volume pot, but it does not sound like the burnt volume pots I have had in the past with other guitars. It could be, this is an active guitar, but I am uncertain.

Before I take it to a luthier who may have never seen an Elite in their life, I was wondering if anyone on the forum knew of a reputable luthier who has worked on the electronics of these guitars before.

What type of pickups are you running in the guitar? Doesn't yours have adjustable pickups?(you know where you can use a small screw driver to turn the indivdual pickup closer to the string or further away from the string)? If I understand your question you state that your are getting "String noise" take the pickups down a hair and see if that helps.

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So heres to your survival, swimming up the stream, crossing over one dam after another till we get to Rock and Roll Heavens Gate!

Welcome to the Forum.

Sounds to me like you may have an issue with the TBX or MDX circuits.
Hard to diagnose without actually having the guitar for a hands on check.

To better help you find a Tech where are you located?

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Chet Feathers

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I didn't Lose my mind, I traded it for this guitar.

Thanks for the responses.

The electronics are stock. It is not string noise I am hearing, I have the strings off now.

It makes a crazy electronic howling noise when I turn the volume knob, no issues with the other controls. I can tap on the pickup covers and hear the tapping -- so I know the pickups are picking up sound etc. It is just when I turn the volume knob it does that. So it is obviously unplayable in this condition.

Hmmmm...maybe it is just a bad volume pot? It is the original pot. I have just never had a pot sound like that -- then again, this is my only active guitar. The only thing that I have ever replaced on her is the push-buttons for the pickup selection.

Oh, I am in the DC-Baltimore metropolitan area. Chuck Levin's Music would be my first choice if I could not find someone who had experience and came with recommendations from working on older, active guitars such as the Elite.

I've let this baby sit idle for too long while I played my other strats, it is time I nurtured her back to health and used her more.

I would say take it in to Chuck Levin's.

_________________
Chet Feathers

Authorized TonePros Dealer
Authorized WD Music Products Dealer
F/A Official Southpaw Compliance Certification Tester http://faamps.com/

http://www.facebook.com/cafeathers


I didn't Lose my mind, I traded it for this guitar.

I had the same exact problem with the EMG SPC control. Changed EVERYTHING and it still did it. So I doubt its your volume pot. I installed in 2 other guitars and got the same thing.