I need some help with my Fender Deluxe P- spread your knowledge!

RayO5421 · #1 06-16-2008, 08:24 AM

Hello everyone,
Well summers here for me and I'm looking to get back into playing in bands for the time being. A while ago I got a used Fender Deluxe P bass for a pretty good deal (year is '98 I believe if that matters). It sounds good, now looking back on the purchase I think I want a passive bass more but I'm happy with such an awesome bass at my age : )

Its not perfect though. Playing hard and really digging in produces distortion and static through my rig which is pretty new (Avatar 410 and GK 1001). I don't use a speakon cable to connect the two- could that be the problem? I think the distortion comes from a bad mid pot- I had it fixed a while ago for noise but I don't know if the tech did a fantastic job : / It now causes a little noise as I move it.

This noise really bugs me and I'm sure if I got this bass solid and working well I'd love it so much more and I could pickup a passive J later or just modify the crap out of my MIM J thats collecting dust now.

So here are potential problems and/or causes of the noise:
1) The shoddy mid pot- bring it to a more reputable tech and have him/her do a propper setup?
2) Not using a speakon cable to connect the cab and head? I've heard they're more balanced but the 1/4" cable I use now seems to work ok.
3) The nearly 10 year old P pickup? I've played shows numerous times with this bass as did the original owner (tons of scratches and dings). I like to think its the pickup because I'd love to replace it and put something different in but I don't wanna spend $60+ on something that doesn't need fixing.

Let me know what you guys think. I'd like to think I know all about the instrument but I know I don't and your help would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!
Ryan

RayO5421 · #2 06-16-2008, 08:53 AM

Pics of the bass in question

RayO5421 · #3 06-16-2008, 08:55 AM

There are some pretty cool shots of the wood grain and inlays, I think its a pretty nice looking bass myself. I've got more of the back and serial number if you want. I just didn't wanna flood my own thread with pics.

RayO5421 · #4 06-17-2008, 07:39 AM

Alivefor5 · #5 06-17-2008, 05:45 PM

I have the same bass only 5 string and maple neck. Great stuff.

Two things come to mind in regards to your problem:
1. Make sure you have a nice fresh battery or batteries.
2. It really sounds like you are overdriving the input stages of the amp. Try this: Run the tone controls on the bass at the detent positions and run the volume between half and 3/4 up.
Make up the volume you just lost in your overall sound by simply turning up the master on the amp. Not the gain.

Let us know if this works.

RickenBoogie · #6 06-17-2008, 05:54 PM

I would agree with the above. I haven't had mine long enough to push it hard, but I do notice a little noise if I crank the mid pt, so I run it flat most of the time. It's a great bass, I traded a 1977 Ric 4001 for mine, I like it THAT much.

RayO5421 · #7 06-17-2008, 07:42 PM

Will do guys thanks for the suggestions. I'll do that tomorrow when I have an empty house though!

playibanez · #8 06-17-2008, 08:05 PM

beautiful bass

RayO5421 · #9 06-18-2008, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by playibanez

beautiful bass

Thank you!

It seems like keeping the bass volume at 3/4 and adjusting volume as needed on the amp works. I've yet to put a new battery in though.

One more question: Has anyone ever used copper sheilding tape on the pickguard? I seem to get a little hiss through my amp now and was wondering if it is a good $10 fix or not.