Distortion Sound on E and A Strings

AccolaStudios · #1 12-29-2011, 06:31 PM

I recently set up my MIM Fender Jazz and installed some new Basslines SJB-3 pickups. However, I'm experiencing a slight "distortion" type sound when I pluck the E and A strings with decent force. It's more apparent on the E string, but I need to pluck very, very lightly to avoid it. The bass has an extremely small amount of fret buzz, but I can tell that's not the problem. Any suggestions?

AccolaStudios · #2 12-29-2011, 06:35 PM

I'll add that it only really appears when the strings are played open.

willsellout · #3 12-29-2011, 06:47 PM

Sounds weird. Did you check your solder joints? Is the pickup too close to the strings? Are you sure its the bass and not the speaker?

AccolaStudios · #4 12-29-2011, 06:54 PM

Actually, I just discovered that this is occuring on my Ray34 as well. It occured through two different amps as well. Pickup heights are at the settings in the manuals. It only occurs when I pluck nearly as hard as I can (which was only fooling around), so that's when I noticed it.

willsellout · #5 12-30-2011, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AccolaStudios

Actually, I just discovered that this is occuring on my Ray34 as well. It occured through two different amps as well. Pickup heights are at the settings in the manuals. It only occurs when I pluck nearly as hard as I can (which was only fooling around), so that's when I noticed it.

Have you tried different speaker cabinets? The chances of this happening on both basses is low, I'd imagine. I'd eliminate everything in your signal chain. Plug from your bass into your amp and then test out another cabinet besides the one you normally use.

Check cables as well. Try and narrow it down in any way you can.

With all that being said, you say you pluck really hard when this happens. Any chance your EQing your amp in such a way that it is overloading your speakers? What is your current setup with amp and cab?

AccolaStudios · #6 12-30-2011, 05:51 AM

I figured it out. There was a compressor with some funky settings that I didn't realize was in at first. Luckily, I got everything fixed up!

willsellout · #7 12-30-2011, 02:00 PM

Good, glad it was something simple!