Question about gain
 

So, today while I was playing, I noticed that my peak indicator wasn't coming on at all. Normally, this is something that would be good news for me, as I prefer a very clean tone rather than an overdriven tone. However, I hadn't changed any of the EQ settings on my bass or the amplifier. I began to experiment with the gain knob, trying to see the point at which it would once again cause the peak indicator to light up. It ended up not coming on until the gain was MUCH higher than the level that had set it off in the past. So in the end, I don't know why my amplifier is suddenly saying I can add a lot more gain than I previously was able to, despite me not having tweaked the EQ at all.

Any ideas as to what might have caused this?

need a new battery for your pickups?

Yep. Sounds like a battery.

Rule of thumb. If you've changed nothing but somethings different, check the battery.

I feel completely moronic now :( I ALWAYS forget about my pickup's battery, thanks for reminding me. This isn't the first time I've forgotten this, and unfortunately it probably won't be the last :P I'm a bit of an airhead sometimes. Anyway, thanks for the quick replies, hope you all have a good night

Might do well to get a passive bass there.

I'll pass on that. I love my active pickups, despite my forgetfulness

ATTENTION! I changed the battery, and the gain still is able to go far, far past the point at which it used to light up my peak indicator. Any ideas??

You might have got a dud battery.

I feel like the odds of an unopened battery encountering this kind of problem, during this exact instance, are very low :P

Worst case is you have a spare for the next time. Best case, you find you did in fact get a dud.

Or corroded terminal.

When you say corroded terminal, I assume you're talking about the terminal on the bass end right? Not the battery terminal?

When I looked at it, there was no visible gunk or corrosion

Could be the terminals on the battery clip.
Could also be the jacks on the bass or amp.

check all cables and string height. (neck may have bowed recently)

-6db button pushed in?

Oxidation has the same effect as corrosion as far as messing with a connector and often times is not very visible. Could be on any and all connections. Some electrical contact cleaner on a Q-tip will take care of it, just don't get it on plastic, or painted surfaces, then a thin layer of dielectric grease to prevent it from coming back.

How is the volume? Did that dip at all?

No, volume is still nice and loud. The only thing different is when the peak light comes on. No differences in tone/audibility whatsoever :P

Interesting.

I have some theories but I need to collect my thoughts first.

Alright. Let me hear back from you once you've formulated your hypothesis