mikolune
113 posts
Apr 12, 2012
10:52 AM
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Hi all,
I received recently a Honeytone mini amp from Muscicians friends, happily looking forward to play with it.
I think there is some malfunction, and I wonder if others experienced this, and if there is a way to deal with it.
Here's the problem: when I play, the little red diode whithers, and the amplification becomes very intermettent, so unusable. I tried with a new battery and this is not the problem.
I am using a Hi-Z mic, with an impedance transformer to 5k Ohm, which is not that high I understand. Could the problem be due to this mic setup, or would it be really a defect in the amp ? I rather avoid the drastic measure of having to return it to Musicans Friend.
thanks for any feedback !
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HawkeyeKane
869 posts
Apr 12, 2012
11:36 AM
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@MVLUN
Little confused by that statement...in today's world, alkaline batteries really are the most common batteries. So what do you mean by regular batteries? Did you mean rechargeable, maybe?
@mikolune
Did you get an AC adapter for the Honeytone? If not, try finding one that fits the size, voltage, and polarity for it and see if the problem still persists. Only other possibility I can think of is some loose connection in the amp, in which case, you'll want to return it to MF under warranty.
Your mic may be an issue. I could be wrong, but I don't think it's the issue causing your apparent power sag. Is the transformer in your mic removable or integrated? If you can leave it out of your rig, then you'll have a better output.
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Hawkeye Kane
Last Edited by on Apr 12, 2012 11:40 AM
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MrVerylongusername
2325 posts
Apr 12, 2012
11:46 AM
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I don't know what the situation is in the States, or where Mikolune is based, but here in the UK we can still buy cheap zinc-carbon batteries and these will last about a couple of minutes.
Alkaline batteries, as I said, will be better. Zinc-chloride would be even better.
High capacity NiMH rechargables are the best and what I use in my radio mics and IEMs but at £10 each the initial outlay is higher, but I'm sure I save in the long run.
Of course it might not be the batteries, it was just a thought...
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HawkeyeKane
870 posts
Apr 12, 2012
11:50 AM
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@MVLUN
Ahhhh crap. I keep forgetting you're across the drink. My bad dude.
Mikolune, I see you ARE Stateside, so alkalines shouldn't be a problem to get your hands on, but as MVLUN said, there are higher capacity batteries out there. Lithium, NiMH, NiCads, I haven't seen them in a LOOONG while but Energizer used to sell titanium based batteries as well, and they lasted forever in my old digital camera when alkalines would die very quickly.
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Hawkeye Kane
Last Edited by on Apr 12, 2012 12:11 PM
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mikolune
114 posts
Apr 12, 2012
12:21 PM
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Thanks guys!
So I tried the AC adapter solution - used one from some other pedal with the proper specs - and that solved the problem. I guess the Honeytone is a bit tough on the batteries. Will consider the rechargeable option.
Btw - I originally wanted to get the Honeytone AC adapter but it was surprisingly difficult to find, only a few on eBay. May be it is not manufactured anymore ?
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tookatooka
2909 posts
Apr 12, 2012
1:05 PM
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There may be a small problem with the battery compartment. Maybe the vibration is causing momentary discontinuity. Ensure the batteries are tightly held by the contacts at the + & - ends.
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HawkeyeKane
872 posts
Apr 12, 2012
1:07 PM
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@mikolune
Looks like Dano still makes them.
Danelectro DA-1 9V adapter
They also make the Danelectrode for power sag on pedals...I dunno if that'd work with the Honeytone or not though.
Dan Electrode DA-4 Power Supply
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Hawkeye Kane
Last Edited by on Apr 12, 2012 1:07 PM
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easyreeder
290 posts
Apr 12, 2012
1:22 PM
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@mikolune
I have one of those amps, and alkaline batteries work fine. I don't think I've ever used it with the power supply. You may have gotten a bad batch of batteries.
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mikolune
115 posts
Apr 12, 2012
2:13 PM
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@easyreeder: yeah, it actually sounds like the batteries I was using were not alkaline - carbon-zinc.
@HawkeyeKane: yes - Danelectro claim to have the adapter on their website, but then, no retailer provides it.
Last Edited by on Apr 12, 2012 2:13 PM
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harp-er
78 posts
Apr 12, 2012
3:49 PM
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I have the same amp and the oem danelectro ac adapter. It works fine. I found that using even an alkaline 9 volt battery only gave me a pretty short amount of time, like maybe an hour or two, if I remember right. It's been a while. If it was me, and I wanted to use this amp for any length of time reliably, I'd find a way to plug in the ac power supply. I've thought about a small 12 volt battery, like a motorcycle battery maybe, and a small inverter to clip to it, and then plug the adapter into the inverter. In the long run, I think this option would be both cheaper - 9 volt batteries aren't cheap if you have to replace them frequently - and more reliable/effective. Would require an little outlay initially - battery maybe $40, inverter maybe $20 +/-. Of course you'd also need a simple way to recharge the battery, like maybe a small trickle charger (another $25 maybe). I guess that all adds up. Maybe not cheaper than buying a case or two of 9 volt batteries.
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Matthew
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bluemoose
723 posts
Apr 12, 2012
5:08 PM
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As with everything off angelfire, here's the Honeytone bible:
Danelectro HoneyTone
MiniAmp Repair & Modification
EDIT: Though it looks like the Diatonic Harmonica Reference has been hi-jacked into some commercial ad driven half backed semi music site.
MBH Webbrain - a GUI guide to Adam's Youtube vids
FerretCat Webbrain - Jason Ricci's vids (by hair colour!)
Last Edited by on Apr 12, 2012 5:14 PM
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mikolune
116 posts
Apr 12, 2012
7:16 PM
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@bluemoose: oh man - what a nice resource!
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