active pup issues

[bassplayer48]

Hi All i have a 1983 p bass with an active EMG i seem to be having trouble getting a good sound, i have noticed when i plug into the amp if the volume is only up a tiny bit i can hear distortion but when you turn it up its ok and i am wondering if this is effecting the sound? Also its just the pick up with the battery no preamp.

The other thing is the input jack on the bass is a bit suspect if you move the cord around it crackles like there is a loose wire or something. Also the volume pot is very noisy. I have been rehearsing in a "padded cell" it is so hard to get a good sound i'm using a GK backline 600 with an eden 2x12 cab.

So i'm not too sure if its just the room or the pickup?

Any thoughts welcome.

[luknfur]

Originally Posted by bassplayer48

Hi All i have a 1983 p bass with an active EMG i seem to be having trouble getting a good sound, i have noticed when i plug into the amp if the volume is only up a tiny bit i can hear distortion but when you turn it up its ok and i am wondering if this is effecting the sound? Also its just the pick up with the battery no preamp.

The other thing is the input jack on the bass is a bit suspect if you move the cord around it crackles like there is a loose wire or something. Also the volume pot is very noisy. I have been rehearsing in a "padded cell" it is so hard to get a good sound i'm using a GK backline 600 with an eden 2x12 cab.

So i'm not too sure if its just the room or the pickup?

Any thoughts welcome.

FWIW:

If you've isolated the problem to the bass itself then apparently either the components or wiring are faulty. Rewire the connections (and match them to a diagram off the EMG site). If there's still a problem then replace them one component at a time till resolved. Proabably jack then vol pot. I assume you're using a stereo jack?