Lakland 44-02 Preamp Problem

[rappa29]

Bass:Skyline 44-02
Electronics: Bart pre and pups

I already emailed Kirk at Lakland this past weekend about it. Waiting to hear from him. Just thought I'd ask if anyone

has experienced anything like this in their active bass (any make, model).

Somtimes, when I have the bass 'on' (i.e. plugged into an amp), I'll start to get a 'scratchy' sound. All the preamp

controls still work and the bass still makes sound but there's an underlying 'white noise'. This is without turning any

knobs or anything.

Then after a few seconds, it kind of 'builds' up and ends with a 'POP'. Then everything is back to normal and functions fine.

Thankfully, I noticed it first when playing through my head phone amp at a low volume. But it did happen to me once while playing through my rig at a low volume and I felt the air push out of my cab after the 'pop'.

The weird thing is it's not consistant issue. For example, I played it 2 hours straight at rehearsal through my rig last week any had zero problems. I would've definitely noticed that 'pop' and 'white noise' at almost gig volume. It only started this past weekend starting on Fri.

I've had the bass for a week and played it without issue at rehearsal last week. I only started noticing the issue after:

1.) I switched the Mid control to 700hz.
2.) Changed the battery after Thursdays rehearsal.

Anyone have any weird problem like this with the preamp on your active bass? Anyone have anyone idea what the issue could be?

Worst case scenario I'll have to send it to Lakland to get it checked out. It's definitely still under warranty so I'm good there. Just sketchy about shipping basses. Never done it before.

TIA.

[mikezimmerman]

Not with a 44-02 in particular, but I've had it happen on many of my active basses in the winter time. As the weather gets more cold and dry, I tend to build up static electricity while I'm playing just from walking around the carpet in my practice room. It doesn't happen all the time or everywhere--it depends on the specific type of carpet/floor covering, how humid the air is in the room, etc.

Mike

[rappa29]

Are you serious?? So it's static electricithy that's the culprit??

Now that you mention it, I started noticing at my mom's, who has thick carpet.

Haven't noticed it at my house yet, as I have carpet as well.

No carpet in the rehearsal space, so maybe that's why?

Very interesting...

[phat daddy]

That sounds like it would be the problem. I have the same system in my 55-94 and I have all tile in my house and I never have had a problem.

[mccartneyman]

I had a problem with the preamp in my 55-02, but it was of a different variety -- volume would drop by half for no reason. Dan Lakin eventually swapped out the preamp and wiring at no charge (and this was on a used bass). Not one glitch with my 55-94 in three years.