Musicman Stingray 4 string, hard hit distort

heffe · #1 09-19-2011, 02:00 PM

First off, this could because I haven't changed my battery out yet, but I'm at work and cant test it.

I play a 4 string Stingray (active) and use a GK goldline 350 on a acoustic 4X10. Sounds great most of the time.

However, I've noticed that when i really pluck my strings hard, not slap, but finger pick hard during a song. I can hear some distortion in my tone. Turning off the horn did not change the sound.

Anyone have any ideas? Is it probably the battery?

Turnaround · #2 09-19-2011, 02:31 PM

Can be many things. Lack of headroom in the amp. Clipping on the input satge of the amp. Clipping on the output stage. Overdriven speakers. Low battery. Pickups too close to the strings. Overdriven preamp in the bass.

Start with a fresh battery and go from there.

JLS · #3 09-19-2011, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heffe

First off, this could because I haven't changed my battery out yet, but I'm at work and cant test it.

I play a 4 string Stingray (active) and use a GK goldline 350 on a acoustic 4X10. Sounds great most of the time.

However, I've noticed that when i really pluck my strings hard, not slap, but finger pick hard during a song. I can hear some distortion in my tone. Turning off the horn did not change the sound.

Anyone have any ideas? Is it probably the battery?

Probably so. Find out if it's possible to upgrade to 18v, for much better headroom.

JonnyAngle · #4 09-20-2011, 03:57 PM

I bet it's your amp. It doesn't have enough headroom.

john grey · #5 09-20-2011, 05:53 PM

Experiment with pup height. You said that the level of strength of string pluck is problematic: that may drive the string closer to the pup in a manner that you don't want.

lowfreq33 · #6 09-20-2011, 07:34 PM

I had a stingray, and I could always tell when the battery was starting to go because it would do exactly what you're describing.

calebbarton · #7 09-20-2011, 07:36 PM

Yeah, sounds like a battery issue. Either a battery going dead or not enough headroom in the preamp if its a 9v. Try 18v or switch batteries.

heffe · #8 09-24-2011, 08:22 PM

Thanks so much for the feedback. I'm going to go to the store before my gig tomorrow and change it out so I can test it. If it is still occurring, I'll let you know.