Toggle Switch Functions of McCarty? Battery?

W. Scott Mohn

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Joined
Jul 7, 2020
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Location
Yuma, AZ
Hi All,

Can someone help me and tell me what each of the three toggle switch positions is supposed to accomplish on a 2001 McCarty HB II Piezo when I am plugged into the Mix socket?

And, a related question, does that toggle switch have any function at all when plugged into the Piezo socket? Or does the switch have to be in a certain position then to hear the Piezo sounds?

As to the battery, does the battery run down when I am plugged into the Mix socket AND the Piezo volume is turned off?

Should I only use Alkaline batteries?

Finally, what has been your experience as to the average life of batteries when the Piezo is used frequently?

Thank you for your time and help. The 2001 McCarty I just received did not come with any information from PRS as to any of these questions. But it is a great guitar! :)

Regards, Scott
 
I don't have a PRS w/piezo, but based on the models I do have w/one, the toggle should send the mix either mag, piezo or both. Think of it like a 3-way pickup switch, but instead of neck/bridge, you're selecting the pickup type.

As for the battery, if you're plugged in, it's drawing power regardless of the volume or switch. And this is personal opinion only, but 100% yes on the alkaline question. That's all I use in my piezo guitars.
 
I agree with Alantig all around.
The mini toggle has basically overridden when plugged into the piezo jack - at least it seems so to me.

I mix in piezo most of the time when I play my HB. Except for the time I neglected to unplug the jack after playing, my batteries easily last for a year. The HB isn't the only thing I play though.
 
When only plugged into the mix jack, the mini toggle switches the output between mag/both/piezo, and in the mix position the piezo volume is a blend control between the two signals.
When plugged into both jacks, the switch is still mag/both/piezo, but the signals are always routed to their separate jacks. The piezo volume only effects the piezo volume (duh) when the piezo jack is used.
 
I don't have a PRS w/piezo, but based on the models I do have w/one, the toggle should send the mix either mag, piezo or both. Think of it like a 3-way pickup switch, but instead of neck/bridge, you're selecting the pickup type.

As for the battery, if you're plugged in, it's drawing power regardless of the volume or switch. And this is personal opinion only, but 100% yes on the alkaline question. That's all I use in my piezo guitars.

Thank you. I will definitely just use alkaline! That is what's in the 2001 McCarty I just got. And I will do some more experimenting in a few minutes to confirm which position is which on the three-way toggle switch.

And, I can stop worrying about conserving the battery since it is sending out power anytime the guitar is plugged in. I got a response for another person who uses his Piezo often and still found the battery lasted for about a year.

I really appreciate all the information!! Stay safe!!

Regards, Scott
 
I agree with Alantig all around.
The mini toggle has basically overridden when plugged into the piezo jack - at least it seems so to me.

I mix in piezo most of the time when I play my HB. Except for the time I neglected to unplug the jack after playing, my batteries easily last for a year. The HB isn't the only thing I play though.


Thanks again, for another of your very helpful messages. The first time I played it sounded like, in Piezo, two of the toggle positions had different sounds. and the third cut off all sound. That is one of the reasons I was asking the questions.

I will also stop worrying about the life of the battery too.

I got some locking strap mechanisms for the McCarty today and just got home and put them in. So I need to get back to experimenting.

I also got an estimate from a dealer friend of mine here in NC who predicted PRS would probably charge $500 for dealing with the small area of damage on the McCarty that I have mentioned. But he said, "It would be worth it."

Stay safe! Regards, Scott
 
Here is a PRS pdf on the piezo system. I’m not sure if it’s the same as yours but might shed some light on the operation:

https://www.prsguitars.com/documents/PRS_LR_Baggs_Piezo_Operating_Instructions.pdf


Thanks, Rick. I guess I should have known I could find the information somewhere on the PRS site. Old age keeps knocking me down in new ways! :)

I followed your link and downloaded the PDF file. It looks like it will answer all my questions. The diagram seems to show the same layout I have on the McCarty HB II Piezo.

Thank you very much for your help! Stay safe! Regards, Scott
 
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