Active Fender Too Hot For BBE 383?

[JazzbassArt]

I can barely open the gain control. Any ideas on a fix? I really like the tone stack on the pre.

Thanks!

Update: I called their Tech Assistance, and they are sending out a new pot no charge. Nice and polite service. A refreshing change!

[rpsands]

Turn down the volume on your bass. There might be a trim pot in the preamp too that'll cut the output.

Also: You might be able to do it yourself or have someone add it, but a switchable pad on the input ought to be really easy to do. Probably 30-40 bucks for someone like say, Putnam's shop.

[JazzbassArt]

Thanks, I'll look into the trim pot. What are the rest of BBE 383 users seeing for sensitivity? I'm wondering if the circuit or pot is malfuctioning. I can barely crack the pot open. I tried it with my passive bass, and it's better, but not by much.

[Fangry]

I'm also wondering about the input gain not having a pad. I'm looking at a 383 as an alternative for my SPVCL but I mainly play a G&L Trib L-2500 with those hot MDF pickups.. Anyone?

[jnewmark]

Originally Posted by JazzbassArt

Thanks, I'll look into the trim pot. What are the rest of BBE 383 users seeing for sensitivity? I'm wondering if the circuit or pot is malfuctioning. I can barely crack the pot open. I tried it with my passive bass, and it's better, but not by much.

I've been using the 383 for years with active and passive Fender Jazz basses and never had a problem like you are experiencing.

[JazzbassArt]

I replaced the pot, and it's the same. Off, then really hot. I suppose the circuit board is toast. Bad luck, oh well.

[father of fires]

Originally Posted by JazzbassArt

I replaced the pot, and it's the same. Off, then really hot. I suppose the circuit board is toast. Bad luck, oh well.

How did you conclude that it was the pot in the first place?

[JazzbassArt]

Originally Posted by father of fires

How did you conclude that it was the pot in the first place?

The pot was loose and scratchy, plus the tech at BBE said it should not be so hot, so HE suggested it be replaced. He was nice enough to send it out free. Since I'm an excellent parts replacer, I figured it was worth an hour of my time. Looks like it's off to BBE or a local tech.

[father of fires]

Originally Posted by JazzbassArt

The pot was loose and scratchy, plus the tech at BBE said it should not be so hot, so HE suggested it be replaced. He was nice enough to send it out free. Since I'm an excellent parts replacer, I figured it was worth an hour of my time. Looks like it's off to BBE or a local tech.

That is strange.

I have a little story that won't help your specific situation but your problem reminded me of it.

Years ago, I was running a G&L L-2000 into a Sansamp RBI into Crown Macrotech power amp into an ampeg 810. It was a killer rig.

After a short while the Crown kept going into protect mode (shutting off) constantly while I was playing. I went to my buddy who lent me the Crown and he said it never failed him. He warned me that is doesn't like to see 8 ohm loads but I assured him I only played it with the 810.

I couldn't figure out what it was so I took it to a tech. He could never find a problem. I eventually let a guy convince me that the combination of the G&L and the RBI was too hot for this power amp so I traded the G&L for a P-bass. I ran my pre and power amp with the stores 810 and it worked completely fine but, when I got it home it started shutting off again.

I was sure that I had broken my buddies amp so, I bought it off of him and sold it as-is and bought an SVT 4 PRO. When I got to the practice spot to show off my new amp I was bummed because it was nowhere near as loud as it was in the store.

I couldn't believe my luck. I got on my knees and played my bass listening for anything out of the ordinary and I noticed that the bottom speakers weren't moving any air. I opened the cab and realized that the bottom speakers were disconnected. I bought the cab used and never thought to open it and check.

So as it turns out I had in fact been running the Crown at 8 ohms the entire time.

This situation taught me that the problem is usually something simple that you never thought of or something so ridiculous that you wouldn't even waste your time to check it out.

Good luck.