Quick question for PC1 owners

[veniculum]

Hey guys....got my PC1 about a month ago. I bought it "used" from Musicians Friend...but it was a condition "1"...meaning, it's like new. They saved me 200 bucks because it had been taken out of the case, and because the user manuals were in plastic bags that had been open. Seemed like a good deal to me...which it was!

I do have one question. I've yet to change the two 9volt batteries...as the sustainer/harmonic whateverthefuckyoucallit thing, seem to be working fine. But I did notice that there's a little red LED on the back of the guitar...and you don't have to take off either plate to see it. Is that thing supposed to come on when you turn on the sustainer (or other switch). I've never seen the light come on. I'm guessing it's because either it comes on when the batteries are dying...or...my batteries are already on their way out, and they need to be replaced.
Thanks for your help guys!

[neilli]

As I recall, that light is supposed to 'blip' on when you plug the lead into the guitar, and then goes out. And it'll come back on when the batteries are dying...

[rjohnstone]

Yep... it only blips when you first plug the cord in.
Low glow = dying batteries.

[Robert Burns]

Dont leave it plugged in, when not playing...it will eat batteries

[CKJ]

I believe this is what you have.

http://www.guitarelectronics.com/product/PMTLBAT/9-Volt-Low-Battery-Indicator-for-Active-Pickups-Electronics.html

[rjohnstone]

I believe this is what you have.

http://www.guitarelectronics.com/pro...ectronics.html

Nope... this is what he has.

See the hole with the red LED.


This is what is sitting behind it.


That's one very expensive and hard to replace sustainer.

[CKJ]

That's insane... have to route the body to that huge circuit board.

[PHILBERT]

That thing is loaded! Cool!

[veniculum]

Nope... this is what he has.

See the hole with the red LED.


This is what is sitting behind it.


That's one very expensive and hard to replace sustainer.

Yes...this is the LED I'm referring to. So it's more of a low battery indicator than a full battery indicator?...is that sound accurate.
Thanks so much for the replies.

[rjohnstone]

Pretty much... if it's glowing constantly, you need to replace the batteries.
You can usually tell by the feel long before the light starts glowing though.
The sustainer will be very weak and have a wimpy attack.

Throw a fresh set in and crank the sustainer up all the way.
The whole guitar starts to vibrate.

[rjohnstone]

That's insane... have to route the body to that huge circuit board.

Ya gotta put it somewhere.
It's also the only 18v system made and it will work regardless of what pickup selection you have set.
All the other units on the market require the bridge pickup be engaged or they won't work.
The thing is a beast.

I'm working on a point to point wiring schematic for this unit right now.
There are over 20+ connections on the board alone!

[CKJ]

Don't mean to bug you but do you have any further information on this? I'm a tad curious about it and would love to read more about it!

[rjohnstone]

What do you want to know?
It's an OEM sustainer made by Floyd Rose specifically for Jackson.

This particular sustainer can only be purchased in a PC1 or from the Custom Shop as an add-on.
I believe the CS add-on charge for this unit is close to $600. Used to be a $900.

[veniculum]

Throw a fresh set in and crank the sustainer up all the way.
The whole guitar starts to vibrate.

Yeah...that's what it does now...which is why I haven't commented until now. The guitar really does vibrate when this thing is engaged. It's certainly something to be felt.
It's cool...but to be honest...I could live without it. I love the feel and sound of this guitar without it. This is just icing on the cake.
Thanks again for the info. Much appreciated.