Big Gibson Disappointment

[Denandannie]

Originally Posted by broy

yep, a K&K fan here, but regardless - a Gibson Songwriter is a nice guitar... I hope (expect) now that you've got this taken care of you will bond with it nicely.

We’re bonding every day. I have no bone to pick with Sweetwater. My assumption is that the dusty Velcro battery case would not stick to the guitar wood as the wood was probably not cleaned well before trying to attach the battery case. It’s a Gibson issue, not Sweetwaters fault. I’d suggest to Sweetwater that during their 55 point inspection they grab the battery case and wiggle it to see if it comes loose.

[Denandannie]

Originally Posted by dwalton

Maybe you know this, but you can use your smart phone to take wide angle pics on the inside of the guitar using the flash. It works really well for seeing what's going on in there.

I didn’t know this. Because my phone is smarter than me. Good idea though. Might stick my phone in there just to see what is in there.

[ghostnote]

I don’t like the Velcro-attached battery holders, either, but I have the opposite problem with my J45: it takes the strength of King Kong to pull it off when it’s time to replace the battery. It seems unlikely, but I wonder if they used different types of Velcro at different times?

[Squirrel40]

I wonder if that could have been from shipping. I am sure those aren't designed to be thrown around like the shipping people treat the boxes.

[Mandobart]

Originally Posted by Charlie Bernstein

Bummer!

I'll never own a guitar that needs a battery.

First off I'm glad the OP was able to fix it, but share their disappointment that it was necessary in the first place.

I also avoid any instrument that requires an internal battery. I like passive SBT's with an external preamp instead:

1. Quality - a purpose-built preamp is usually superior to whatever the guitar companies pick to hit their price target.

2. Versatility - the same external preamp can be used with several instruments - it doesn't live inside just one.

3. Separability/Reliability - if your external preamp acts up you don't have to take the entire guitar out of commission to fix/replace it. Just use a spare preamp.

4. No battery inside the guitar to leak or fail, which is a PITA to cleanup or replace.

5. Less stuff inside the guitar to get loose and rattle around.

6. Get the preamp you want to get the sound you like with your pickup at a price that works for you; not whatever compromise the guitar mfr chose for you.

[phcorrigan]

Originally Posted by Charlie Bernstein

Bummer!

I'll never own a guitar that needs a battery.

I've seen too many die on open mic stages.

[BillyMays]

I bought a red J45 that this happened to recently. Went to grab it off of the wall, and I hear clunking. Took it to the shop I got it from, and they fixed it on the spot and even gave me a set of those Martin titanium core strings to try plus a pack of my regular D'Addario for my troubles.

Always buy local from a privately owned shop. Better customer service by far, and you're supporting the local economy.

[dilver]

It’s just a loose battery bag…. Is it really that big of a deal?

[Denandannie]

As the poster I didn’t realize how much attention this post would bring. But, now that the battery case/box is reattached I won’t have to replace the battery for 1000 hours, if you can believe the hype from LR Baggs.

[frankmcr]

Originally Posted by dilver

It’s just a loose battery bag…. Is it really that big of a deal?

Maybe not, but who can pass up an opportunity to bash Gibson?

[LAPlayer]

Originally Posted by phcorrigan

I've seen too many die on open mic stages.

That certainly wouldn't be the battery's fault. If one's battery goes dead at an open mic, the owner didn't test and replace the battery before performing. Sounds like operator error to me. I do 5-hour shows pretty often and I've never had a battery go dead on stage in 30 years.

[davidd]

Originally Posted by frankmcr

Maybe not, but who can pass up an opportunity to bash Gibson?

My thoughts exactly.

[abn556]

That happens to all acoustics with battery packs in them eventually. I don’t play my acoustics on amps so I take all that stuff out and stick it in the case for safekeeping.

[Rudy4]

Originally Posted by frankmcr

Maybe not, but who can pass up an opportunity to bash Gibson?

I figure the Driftwood video takes care of that.

[abn556]

Originally Posted by Denandannie

We’re bonding every day. I have no bone to pick with Sweetwater. My assumption is that the dusty Velcro battery case would not stick to the guitar wood as the wood was probably not cleaned well before trying to attach the battery case. It’s a Gibson issue, not Sweetwaters fault. I’d suggest to Sweetwater that during their 55 point inspection they grab the battery case and wiggle it to see if it comes loose.

It sounds to me like you are blaming both Gibson and Sweetwater over some tape coming loose. I predict you will sell or trade this guitar shortly.

I had a battery box come loose on a buddy’s Yamaha when I was shaking the guitar to get a pick out that he had dropped into the guitar. It happens.