Bit of help with my bass

seannash · 30-11-2010 9:13pm #1

Okay so i just got my preamp through the door.
I wanted to check it out so i grabbed my bass and stuck it into the d/i at the front.

Now,I cant play bass.I own a bass and im in the process of learning how to play it so im not too clued up with the inner workings of a bass.

So when i play a note on my bass it doesnt register on the VU metre on the preamp.
Ive followed the instructions in the manual and when i tap the end of the lead the VU metre registers a signal.

So im thinking it could be a fault with my bass,is that what it sounds like to you folks and if so whats the likely problem?

Aridstarling · 30-11-2010 9:36pm

Sorry if this sounds facetious but are you sure the volume knobs on the bass are turned up? After that I'd reckon it's a problem with the pickups or the jack input or something.

seannash · 30-11-2010 9:42pm

Aridstarling wrote: »

Sorry if this sounds facetious but are you sure the volume knobs on the bass are turned up? After that I'd reckon it's a problem with the pickups or the jack input or something.

Yeah its turned up all the way,gave em a fiddle too.
Are pickups expensive to replace?

jtsuited · 30-11-2010 9:43pm

is it an active bass that needs a battery?

seannash · 30-11-2010 9:56pm

jtsuited wrote: »

is it an active bass that needs a battery?

eh im not sure

I think its this one

http://www.guitarandampshop.co.uk/acatalog/Fender_Deluxe_Jazz_Bass_V__5-String__Electric_Bass_Guitar__013-6860_.html

jtsuited · 30-11-2010 11:01pm

seannash wrote: »

eh im not sure

I think its this one

http://www.guitarandampshop.co.uk/acatalog/Fender_Deluxe_Jazz_Bass_V__5-String__Electric_Bass_Guitar__013-6860_.html

what???? you have a 5 string sean???

oh and that's an active bass so it needs a battery.

seannash · 30-11-2010 11:23pm

jtsuited wrote: »

what???? you have a 5 string sean???

oh and that's an active bass so it needs a battery.

Yeah,It wasnt an educated decision.A mate of mine played a 5 string so i got one as i thought it was the norm.

Oh cool,maybe its a simple battery replace.Ill check that out

Bluebirdstudios · 01-12-2010 10:10am

Seannash,
Would you not simply plug the bass guitar into any amp that would then give you most of the answers your looking for. If nothing sounds thru the amp when amp volumes are up then the problem is with the guitar.

Re input signal moving when moving cord, that wouldn't say much, infact if wire was just connect to the input without the guitar, touching the tip of the lead will sometimes register on the preamp input. Its not good practise to do this you could be shorting the tip and sleeve also static energy could tigger movement on the input meter.

If active Bass - yep check the battery.

krd · 01-12-2010 5:44pm

Bluebirdstudios wrote: »

Seannash,
Would you not simply plug the bass guitar into any amp that would then give you most of the answers your looking for. If nothing sounds thru the amp when amp volumes are up then the problem is with the guitar.

Sean doesn't have an amp. He rocks the Mac and the Mouse.

Or two turntables and microphone.

seannash · 01-12-2010 6:12pm

Bluebirdstudios wrote: »

Seannash,
Would you not simply plug the bass guitar into any amp that would then give you most of the answers your looking for. If nothing sounds thru the amp when amp volumes are up then the problem is with the guitar.

Re input signal moving when moving cord, that wouldn't say much, infact if wire was just connect to the input without the guitar, touching the tip of the lead will sometimes register on the preamp input. Its not good practise to do this you could be shorting the tip and sleeve also static energy could tigger movement on the input meter.

If active Bass - yep check the battery.

Yep as KRD said i dont have an amp

Ill check the battery first and see if that works
cheers

krd · 01-12-2010 6:44pm

seannash wrote: »

Yep as KRD said i dont have an amp
Ill check the battery first and see if that works
cheers

You probably have a mixer though.

Plug the bass into a mic socket - you should hear at least a faint bit of the bass.

If it's an active - which more than likely it is - not that an active pickup is any better than a non active - but if a "person" wants 5 strings in their bass you can be sure they'll want active pickups too. It'll need a battery.

Active pickups are great in the sense, sometimes you can go ages without having to change the battery - then the battery will decide to die while you're on stage.

And before an argument breaks out on which is better - the Fender precision does not have an active pick up. It doesn't need one - it is precise - it doesn't need a battery.

seannash · 01-12-2010 7:31pm

krd wrote: »

You probably have a mixer though.

Plug the bass into a mic socket - you should hear at least a faint bit of the bass.

If it's an active - which more than likely it is - not that an active pickup is any better than a non active - but if a "person" wants 5 strings in their bass you can be sure they'll want active pickups too. It'll need a battery.

Active pickups are great in the sense, sometimes you can go ages without having to change the battery - then the battery will decide to die while you're on stage.

And before an argument breaks out on which is better - the Fender precision does not have an active pick up. It doesn't need one - it is precise - it doesn't need a battery.

Nope no mixer,just back so i havent acquired a dj setup yet

krd · 01-12-2010 10:13pm

seannash wrote: »

Nope no mixer,just back so i havent acquired a dj setup yet

There is a Navjoh saying "A DJ without his mixer, is like a brave without his horse"

OK. I've taken a liberty in the transliteration. But who speaks Navjoh any more - and I bet they did say something like that.

Have you tried talking to your bass guitar - you know playing the bass is like making love to a beautiful woman

Talk to her.

Talk to your bass. Say you're going to treat her well, not like the last biatch assed modafuka who owned her.

I swear, this sh1t works, no one knows how.

seannash · 01-12-2010 10:39pm

krd wrote: »

There is a Navjoh saying "A DJ without his mixer, is like a brave without his horse"

OK. I've taken a liberty in the transliteration. But who speaks Navjoh any more - and I bet they did say something like that.

Have you tried talking to your bass guitar - you know playing the bass is like making love to a beautiful woman

Talk to her.

Talk to your bass. Say you're going to treat her well, not like the last biatch assed modafuka who owned her.

I swear, this sh1t works, no one knows how.

Yeah ive been traveling around australia for the past year so lugging around audio equipment wanst a priority.I sold all my dj equipment when i was leaving New York.

I will eventually get a new setup but ive got other priorities at the moment

Ill leave the bass talking to yourself i think:)

krd · 04-12-2010 3:22pm

Well, at least let us know how you got on with the bass.

Was it the battery?

Or pre-amp?

Or is the bass French Connection UK'd

novarock · 05-12-2010 6:42pm

if you plug headphones into an active bass and you should hear it..

Dord · 11-12-2010 11:55pm

Did you sort out the bass?

seannash · 12-12-2010 12:43am

Dord wrote: »

Did you sort out the bass?

I actually had to pack up the preamp and wrap it(its a christmas pressie from the missus) so i didnt investigate it any further.I will do after christmas:D

Bit of help with my bass

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