Failing Pickups?

KBarker · #1 08-16-2008, 10:12 AM

Hi Folks,

Last night at rehearsal something weird happenned. I finished a song and was talking to someone when there was a sound like a bomb dropping from my Bass/effect/PA chain and then a pop...then no more music.

I checked the PA, works fine
I checked the effects box (zoom B2.1u), works fine
I also checked the bass and it seems to work fine.

Any thoughts? Could the pickups be failing? or a short maybe?

The whole rig worked today for some reason for about 2 hours and then it happenned again.

fenderhutz · #2 08-16-2008, 10:20 AM

Ampeg head?

NorCal Dog · #3 08-16-2008, 12:18 PM

imo the pickups would be the last place i'd be looking

Ric5 · #4 08-16-2008, 12:23 PM

bad cable?

KBarker · #5 08-16-2008, 12:41 PM

It was direct out into the PA from the Zoom box, no amp.

KBarker · #6 08-16-2008, 12:41 PM

I thought so too, just went out and picked up a couple to try again.

GeoffByrne · #7 08-16-2008, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ric5

bad cable?

+1

spaz21387 · #8 08-16-2008, 03:50 PM

There might be a short in the wiring or a disconnected wire. What kind of bass is it so we can direct you to where to find a wiring diagram so you can see if theres any problems.

KBarker · #9 08-16-2008, 08:12 PM

Ibanez GSR200

KBarker · #10 08-16-2008, 08:15 PM

UPDATE - Cable looks like the problem

I went out this afternoon and bought a couple of additional cables. Played a couple of times later today for an hour or so at a pop and the problem has not come back...maybe it was the cable afterall.

I have a 8 song set at church tomorrow...will let you know if it pops again.

KBarker · #11 08-18-2008, 01:40 PM

ANOTHER UPDATE

Bugger! The problem has come back in a slightly different form. Started to have an ugly squealing noise, even with the new cable, then the bomb drop sound and no more music.

Any other thoughts?

Ken

ggunn · #12 08-18-2008, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KBarker

ANOTHER UPDATE

Bugger! The problem has come back in a slightly different form. Started to have an ugly squealing noise, even with the new cable, then the bomb drop sound and no more music.

Any other thoughts?

Ken

What is the "bomb drop sound"? I can imagine several very different sounds that could be described that way.

Jim Carr · #13 08-18-2008, 04:52 PM

Ditch the effects box, and just use a DI.

KBarker · #14 08-18-2008, 05:33 PM

But I really LIKE the effects box...certainly when I practice having the built in drum machine is a great help.

But you may be onto something. I do have a regular DI box, I'll try that for a while and see if the problem returns.

KBarker · #15 08-18-2008, 05:35 PM

I'm not sure how to reproduce the sound for you? Just a descending high pitched squeal, the rate of descent is quite quick.

Think of a cartoon where someone drops a bomb out of a plane...like that only a much sharper sound, and a faster descent rate.

bassmanrocke · #16 08-19-2008, 01:28 PM

Is the bass active? This may be very simplistic sounding, but is it possible that the charge on an internal battery is dying?

KBarker · #17 08-21-2008, 01:35 PM

LAST UPDATE....

I just figured out the cause of the problem...it was my bass telling me that I needed to go buy a new bass.