output problems

Patricide

Ok my latest dilema is that i think my bass has too much output. Now i could be massivly wrong here but whenever im playing my bass(warwick corvette $$) into my amp, especially the low b the v.u. meter in my ashdown goes nuts and i get nasty distorded tone, therefore i have to turn the input down to almost nothing before i turn the output up and my volume and tone kinda gets killed off.

Im still loud enough for practice(barely) its just that i dunno somthing in the sound is missing, the oomph in the tone is gone or somthing.

Im playing a 300 watt ashdown mag head with an ashdown mag 2X10 cab, Is there anything i can do to tame my basses output without switching it into passive mode, like some pedal or somthing?Or is it a question of the 2X10 cab not having the head room for the low b or somthing?

Beecher

Arent the pickups passive on the $$? Seems odd they would put out so much output.

An EQ pedal could be used to control it, plus if you buy a good one it can also improve your tone.

feylya

Well, you could either move the pickups slightly away from the strings (I think) or else turn the bass eq down on the bass.

david

Keep the gain about half way, roll off the eq and volume on your bass and adjust the master to taste, should'nt be distorting with passive pickups unless you eq your amp strangely

Doctor J

A combination of all the above. Look at the size of your B string and remember that the pickup is responding to the fluctuations in a magnetic field caused by that big **** off string and the wee little G string at the far end. Firstly, try to balance the output of the pickup to suit your playing so all strings cause the same output, which basically means, lower the B string side down. Now, the string output is even, lower the pickup away from the strings until you're happy with the output, remembering to keep the angle constant in relation to the equal output test we've just done. Also, your Ashdown should have passive and active inputs, choose active. Any EQ boosting you do to the low end will have drastic results on the B string. Only use EQ when you really need it, don't just do the mid scoop. Any low end boosting will really make the B louder than it needs to be. The rest will come from your playing technique.

Just because it's passive it doesn't mean it has weak output. MY old Ric (*sniff* ) could put my Ashdown into overdrive (the nasty kind) when in the active input and input gain at less than half way with the pickups near the strings. Find a place where the output is full but not too hot, go for tone rather than high output.

Patricide

Yea the pups are but the eq on it is active and causes a load of output, thanks for the advice guys, i have me a decent e.q. pedal(Mxr 10 band e.q.) the only problem is that the ac adaptor is broke and im having a hard time finding another 18 volt adaptor.

david

Get one of those Uniross adapters with adjustable voltage and connecters. About 10 or 15 quid in Maplin or Peats.

david

Or one of these
http://www.thomann.de/thoiw6_dunlop_dc_brick_power_supply_eu_prodinfo.html

Patricide

Yea theres no way i can afford a brick for one pedal, also theres no malpin or peats or whatever in tralee, or kerry id wager, i dunno the search for an adaptor continues.

david

There's one in Limerick.
http://www.maplin.co.uk/StoreLocator.aspx?cmd=searchregion&regionid=1&doy=search

Patricide

Limerick, Bah Id rather pay extra for a trip to dublin At least id have a few kfc's that way.

Parsley

I'd say the problem could be the 2x10 cab. If you want reall low boomy sounds from your B string, you should invest in a 15" extension cab.

Patricide

extension cab you say, now thats somthing ive never heard of before, care to explain?

Eoin Madsen

The larger the speaker the easier it is to reproduce low frequencies. Though a far more significant factor is the volume and port size of the cab itself. You could get more bass out of a single 10" in the right cab than a 15" in the wrong cab.

A low E on a bass is about 41hz, while the B just below it is around 31hz. The difference in cab design required to get that extra 10hz nice and solid is surprisingly big.

Parsley

If you get an Ashdown MAG 1x15 cab you'll be golden. I've got the same amp setup as you except I've got the 15 instead of the 2x10. I just got my new 5 string Ibanez ATK (pics coming soon) and the low B booms like no-one's business! And your amp will also be a lot louder, because the MAG300 heads only actually reach their full 300watts of power with an extension cab.