What's Wrong With My Bass?

Herrlster · #1 05-22-2007, 11:03 PM

It's an Ibanez SR5005MM...

(This I can't get fixed obviously because of the individual saddle bridge)

The G-string is very close to the edge of the fretboard. The string always slipped off when I played it when I first got it. I've adjusted my technique/playing since then so it wouldn't fall off...

(These can be fixed I'm hoping...)

The bass crackles half of the time when I turn any of the knobs...

The bass cuts out sometimes when I turn any of the knobs or bang it against my body sometimes... (it did it a few times while playing live)

And now lately, my amp distorts like crazy when I use the low B string and sometimes it distorts when I use the E string... It doesn't distort when I use my other basses...

So what do you think is the problem? The wires? The pots?

gottawalk · #2 05-22-2007, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Herrlster

It's an Ibanez SR5005MM...

(This I can't get fixed obviously because of the individual saddle bridge)

The G-string is very close to the edge of the fretboard. The string always slipped off when I played it when I first got it. I've adjusted my technique/playing since then so it wouldn't fall off...

Can't help with the electronics; not my thing, but as far as the G-string is concerned, it could be that your nut is loose and slid putting the string close to the edge of the neck. Mine floats on my Fender, and I have to have it reset. Sometimes that effects the G-string on mine the exact same way. Check it out.

Glider · #3 05-22-2007, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Herrlster

It's an Ibanez SR5005MM...

(This I can't get fixed obviously because of the individual saddle bridge)

The G-string is very close to the edge of the fretboard. The string always slipped off when I played it when I first got it. I've adjusted my technique/playing since then so it wouldn't fall off...

(These can be fixed I'm hoping...)

The bass crackles half of the time when I turn any of the knobs...

The bass cuts out sometimes when I turn any of the knobs or bang it against my body sometimes... (it did it a few times while playing live)

And now lately, my amp distorts like crazy when I use the low B string and sometimes it distorts when I use the E string... It doesn't distort when I use my other basses...

So what do you think is the problem? The wires? The pots?

The post may have static electricity built up in them causing the crackling sound.

Is the bass an active pickup bass? if the battery gets low it can sometimes cause a distortion.

A cutting out could be a loose wire or connection on the output jack or cable.

The neck sounds like its not aligned properly if the strings are off to one side could be a bridge? cant help ya much there.

Herrlster · #4 05-22-2007, 11:59 PM

The bass is active. I thought it might be the battery, so I changed it out for a new one and still the same problems. The nut on the bass is perfectly fine, no problems around that area of the neck. Down by the 24th fret area of the neck though, the G-string is pretty well off the board...

gottawalk · #5 05-23-2007, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Herrlster

The bass is active. I thought it might be the battery, so I changed it out for a new one and still the same problems. The nut on the bass is perfectly fine, not probablys up around that area of the neck. The G string isn't even close to the edge around nut at all. But up by the 24 fret the string is pretty well off the fretboard...

Well, the electronics sound like there's a connection problem somewhere, and, ouch!, about the neck. Glider might have a point. If it's not the nut and it's way off at the bridge, maybe the bridge is placed wrong, or the neck is not alligned right... hmmmmm.....maybe time to take it to a good tech...!

Herrlster · #6 05-23-2007, 12:17 AM

I think its the bridge that is off a bit.

See, I don't think I can take it to a tech to get it fixed because it has the monorail individual saddle bridge. These ones arent just screwed on the top of the bass body, each bridge is in the body... like 5 holes were routed in the body and the bridges goes in them... I hope that made sense...

T-Bird · #7 05-23-2007, 12:28 AM

Hi, Herrlster.

I'm with the others about the neck not being in line with the bridge(s), happens all the time. A pic would be worth a thousand words

.
Your saddles can be offset filed, but not that much.

As for the pots, they're probably just dirty, a good pot cleaner spray and a twist or a dozen should take care of that. Pots, specially cheaper ones, wear out quite quickly.
If the active electronics are mounted on the pots, You should check the soldering for cracks.

Does the B & E string distort with other amps too. Sounds like a too strong signal distorting the pre-amp section.

Hope this helps at least a bit.

Sam

Herrlster · #8 05-23-2007, 12:36 AM

Hmm, I've never tried my bass with another amp yet... so I can't answer that question.

I'll attach a picture or two at the bottom to show you...

I don't know anything about wires or pots or soldering...

(Sorry, I don't own a camera so I can't take any real close-up shots...)

T-Bird · #9 05-23-2007, 02:20 AM

Hi.

As I googled Your bass I found out that it's more of a feature rather than fault with these basses. If the strings in Your bass looks like the ones in the second picture in the link:

http://www.ibanez.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1895

I don't have a first hand experience with the soundgear line, but has it a set neck or a bolt on? A bolt on can be yanked to both directions by loosening the strings and the neck screws a bit.

If it's a set neck the only solution will be narrowing the string spacing by moving the individual bridges. It's not that hard, really, but if You have no experience with these kind of repairs it's best to take the bass to a shop.

As the soldering goes, I'd imagine that You're still in school, so Your crafts class teacher should be able to help You with that. And possibly with the other electronics as well.

Sam

Herrlster · #10 05-23-2007, 10:08 AM

Yeah, in the second picture, that how far off the G-string is from the board. My bass is a bolt on. I don't know, the bass is alright, I've adjusted my playing so the G-string doesn't slip when I use it now. I don't mind replacing the pots, soldering everything better. But I don't think I'd be open to buying new bridges for the bass or doing these costly repairs. I'm considering buying a 6 string in the next month or two and plan on selling this one once I get a good 6 string. So, I don't want to dump too much money into a bass that I'm not going to use for much longer...

62bass · #11 05-23-2007, 11:43 AM

It can be fixed I'm sure. You will need to shim edge of the neck at the neck pocket to get it back in line. I've done this on a number of Fenders- guitars and basses, that had sloppy neck routes. Strange to see on the Ibanez though, with their much more accurate fit. That's a pretty nice bass you have and must sound good.

Anyhow. if you want to make sure, take it to a tech. The other posibility is the neck warping sideways, but that is unlikely.

gottawalk · #12 05-23-2007, 04:20 PM

I may have missed this, of so I'm sorry, but how long have you had this bass? Did you buy it new? Still under warranty? If so, take it in and have it fixed or replaces, maybe...

Herrlster · #13 05-23-2007, 10:37 PM

I don't know how old this bass is... I bought it from a pawnshop about two years or so ago. So no warranty...

JimmyM · #14 05-24-2007, 12:28 AM

Spray the pots with contact cleaner (available at any Radio Shack) while moving them back and forth. That will often clear up problems with crackling. As for the neck, I don't know if it looks like the neck is out of alignment as much as the bridge saddles are. I would start with trying to realign the bridge saddles before I go shimming the neck pocket.

Brass Nut · #15 05-24-2007, 08:03 AM

Loosen the strings,,, loosen the neck bolts. See if you can get some movement. Wouldn't take much at all if it'll stay when tightened.
That wouldbe the first thing I'd check. Could of taken a hit at some time in the past. Pawn shops are not known to be very carefull with instruments.
You could try tightening the "off side' string before retightening the neck bolts to see if that'll help "pull" it for you. - Just a thought.