Bass Guitar Problem

flameboy87

Hey have a 5 String bass that clips and sometimes crackles when I play it. It seems to me to be an electrics problems. The type of sound doesn't seem to tell me that its a loose connection though. I had a look at the wiring and it most definitely the most complicated wiring system that I have ever come across.

Anyway, I want to get it looked at by a reliable guitar tech but I don't really know of any. I have had a bad experience with a guy in Limerick before so that's why I'm a bit wary. I live in Clare so if anyone knows any good techs in Clare, Limerick or Galway then I'd appreciate the help and advice. Thanks

unclebill98

Make, model?

flameboy87

Its an Ibanez BTB 405 QM

ham_n_mustard

there's a lad working in Limerick named Russell, seemingly very good with amps and the such. i havent had anything repaired there but some lads i played with before did and say his work is top notch. i'll see if i can get a number for him tomorrow and i'll text it on if you'd like

spankadamonkee

Just sounds as if it needs a bit of electrical spray to me. Just to losen things up a bit.

Malice

flameboy87 wrote: »

Hey have a 5 String bass that clips and sometimes crackles when I play it.

Apologies for probably stating the obvious but have you tried using another cable or tightening the input socket?

flameboy87

Cheers for replies lads, firstly ham and mustard, I have dealt with Russell before and he ruined the sound on a guitar on my friends guitar before when he changed a pot on it. He wouldn't take the blame for something that was very clearly his fault and the guitar was left unplayable until it gets refixed by someone else. I was hoping someone wouldn't suggest him :P

Spankadamonkee: I haven't a clue what you are suggesting, I'm just not gonna lie If you can elaborate then I'm all ears

Malice: Ya the input and the leads that I am using are A1, definitely no problems there. It seems to be more of a wiring fault somewhere else. I could leave the bass down, not play it, not move it and still get these pops and hisses. Its hard to describe the sound properly. Its not a grounding problem either. Any good guitar techs in Galway near you?

Malice

flameboy87 wrote: »

Any good guitar techs in Galway near you?

Not that I know of. Thankfully any issues I've had have been resolved either by me directly or by a mate with a soldering iron.

Colonel jack

Try Markus in steamboat music, Lmk. He has done some good work for me. 061-311696.

ham_n_mustard

Colonel jack wrote: »

Try Markus in steamboat music, Lmk. He has done some good work for me. 061-311696.

Markus is sound actually, did a bit of work on a warwick for me lately, he's only in there on certain days though, your best bet would be to ring ahead and make sure he's around

spankadamonkee

flameboy87 wrote: »

Spankadamonkee: I haven't a clue what you are suggesting, I'm just not gonna lie If you can elaborate then I'm all ears

it could be dry joints. the control knobs volume etc. should be sprayed with electrical spray including the input. Not WD40. But its like that. Cant remember the name of it.

flameboy87

Ah I see, didn't know a dry joint was a problem. I'm sure its a simple job to fix. I actually played the bass for a solid hour and a half today without one pop, squeak or buzz other than the sounds I wanted to hear so its obviously something a little loose or as you say a dry joint.

I might try Markus alright. Have spoken to him before and he is bang on. Didn't realise he did electrics tho. I'll ring and see what they say.

Cheers guys.

JonathanAnon

Why dont you record the sound happening and upload it to youtube... ?

eoin5

Just eliminating more of the straightforward problems, sorry if you've tried these before. If its an active bass (sounds like it is if it looks complicated) did you try changing the battery? If its happening when your not playing it it could be the caps in the amp. Have you tried it in other amps?

flameboy87

Well it does happen in other amps so its not the amp. It has an Active EQ system but the PU's are passive so thats why its complicated. The battery hasnt been changed but I will try it. Its not the type of problems you get when you have a low battery tho. I'll try it nonetheless and let you know. Its a fairly fresh battery so I'm not too hopeful.

KeithTS

It's an active bass isn't it?
More than likely the battery is running low.