Distorting active bass

DannyWBassMan22 · #1 10-10-2008, 03:40 PM

Hi,
I have recently encountered a problem with my setup that I can't seem to solve. I am currently using a Warrwick active bass, a Roland Cube 100W amp and a Demeter Compulator Compression Pedal.

A couple of weeks ago I started getting a really distorted sound. I replaced the battery in my bass and in my compression pedal but was still getting a slight distortion on the lower string. I then reduced the gain output on the Compulator pedal through the trim pot but realised I still got a distored sound when really attacking a string. I have removed the pedal from the signal chain and still have the problem when plucking a string harder. This happens when playing at both lower and higher levels on the amp and only on the E string (which I tune down to D).

Any advice? Am I missing something simple?
Have only been playing a couple of years so any technical advice would be great

king_xanadu · #2 10-10-2008, 03:57 PM

hope this isnt another bad battery threat again

try removing the pedal and going direct into your amp
try a different bass
try a diffrent amp

use different combinations of these to determine the problem

iamthebassplayr · #3 10-10-2008, 04:01 PM

It sounds like the line into your amp from the bass/compressor is too hot for it to handle... is there a -X d/b or some type of active/passive switch on the amp?

I had a similar problem and that cleared it right up (was trying to sell the amp and I guess my MTD was not very hot.. but guy plugged his bass and I started freaking out... we changed his battery, tried another bass... nothing... then I realized it and hit the -10d/b, rolled the volume up a bit and Presto.)

skaboy · #4 10-10-2008, 05:47 PM

Ditto with what Kevin said, it definitely sounds like your active bass is running a bit hot for the amp. Bear in mind, you haven't done anything wrong, it's just the standard high output of active basses. In the past, I've experienced exactly the same thing with my active bass.

It's common for amps to have a 'active' input option or -10 d/b switch for active basses. If you have the option on your amp, use it, otherwise try rolling back on the volume.

Arpeggiator · #5 10-10-2008, 06:55 PM

yeah might also be called a pad switch you get them on DI boxes too

DannyWBassMan22 · #6 10-11-2008, 04:47 AM

Thanks for the info guys,
I have found that it must be the bass. I tried going straight from the bass to the amp again and was still getting some distortion but used the -10dB option on the amp which cleared it up no problem.
The only problem is now I can't use my pedal! Is there any way around this? Is there a way to reduce the high output from the bass level before going into the compression pedal?

It was working fine before I had to replace the last battery in the bass so could it have something to do with the one that I have put in?

dystopiate · #7 10-14-2008, 09:08 AM

I had a similar problem with my corvette $$ and lowering the pickup height cleared it up for me even though running it through the active input on my head did not.

Interestingly, I can't run it with my sansamp stompbox without it distorting (whether I use it as a pedal or in lieu of the preamp). There's no dB pad on the sansamp, so I've just decided to leave it out, but I'm not sure why it would still distort when it's run between the bass and the head.

Have you had any luck with getting your compressor back into the chain?

DannyWBassMan22 · #8 10-14-2008, 09:53 AM

I can get it back in the chain by first putting the output from my bass through a D.I box and taking some gain off the signal using the pad.

I can run it straight into my compression pedal but have to turn the signal right down on the volume knob on the bass which seems a bit ridiculous & I still get a slight distortion if I attack the string hard enough. I play in drop D though which makes it distort even easier, I don't want to leave the compressor out of the signal chain though because the drop D overpowers every other string on the bass without it.

Did you manage to resolve it at all?
I have e-mailed Warwick about it today so will get to see if there customer service is up to much!

BobKos · #9 10-19-2008, 07:49 PM

I used to own a Corvette FNA. I seem to recall that the input gain for the preamp was adjustable inside the bass? Maybe I'm confusing with another bass, but it might be worth a look-see.

dystopiate · #10 10-19-2008, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DannyWBassMan22

I can get it back in the chain by first putting the output from my bass through a D.I box and taking some gain off the signal using the pad.

I can run it straight into my compression pedal but have to turn the signal right down on the volume knob on the bass which seems a bit ridiculous & I still get a slight distortion if I attack the string hard enough. I play in drop D though which makes it distort even easier, I don't want to leave the compressor out of the signal chain though because the drop D overpowers every other string on the bass without it.

Did you manage to resolve it at all?
I have e-mailed Warwick about it today so will get to see if there customer service is up to much!

Lowering the pickup height solved most of my problems with the distorting (though it means that I don't feel the pickup below my fingers, which is my preference).

I'm in C and sometimes drop A# on my Warwick, so I get what your saying about it easily distorting. I haven't gotten my Tech21 back into the chain. I'll play around with it tomorrow and let you know if I discover anything useful.

gbarcus · #11 10-20-2008, 11:31 AM

I had the same issues with a set of j pickups and had to lower them. The distortion stopped, but it also took some other qualities that I liked with it. Currently looking for new pickups.
I am also looking into the possibility that the preamp could be the problem, as it is rather cheep.

DannyWBassMan22 · #12 10-27-2008, 12:27 PM

Hello people,

Just got my bass back from the local tech today and glad to report all is well. He done a combination of things that had been mentioned on here....

Lowered the pickup at the bridge as this was the one getting the distortion & also advised to roll off the bass a little bit on the bass EQ. Wasn't sure this would work when sticking my Compulator Compression pedal back in the signal chain but it all works perfectly fine.

Thanks for the advice people