Stingray low output

[Andy73]

I am working on getting a friends old stingray setup and ready for use. Its been sitting in a closet for a long time. I seem to be having an issue with the preamp. The output is very low and is the same level with our without the battery. Tone controls do not work. I took the front plate off and measured the voltage going into the preamp to make sure it was not a battery connection/wiring issue. That seems to be OK. What would be my next steps? It is a 2 band preamp, circa 1977-79.

Thanks!

[BassLife77]

If I had that bass I would test the pickup first. If it's OK I would build a vintage StingRay preamp with high quality components and pop it in that beauty. I would buy new pots too.
With that vintage Alnico pickup that bass would kick some major butt!

[Andy73]

#1 - how do I test the pickup?
#2 - where do I find and authentic schematic for preamp? I have built pedals from just a schematic, I would think I could do a preamp also...

Thanks!

[drunkenrobot]

You could try getting in touch with Musicman for the schematic.

[algernon]

Hi Andy, check this out, you may find it useful. I don't have any experience with MM ( I'm cravin' for one, though ) but, as suggested above, I'd check the wiring from the pickup to the switch (if any) and output jack, possibly try to connect to the jack directly, to see if it has a normal passive output.

Quite a few years behind those electronics, could be anything from bad solder joints to leaked or out of spec capacitors, you name it From what I know, there's a forum on musicman website, you may drop a couple of lines there, also. As a personal choice, I would keep the pickup and replace preamp, jack and pots, start life anew

Good luck with it, I know I would looove to lay my hands on a project like this

EDIT:
If you go here and scroll about half a page, you'll find a link to a schematic of the original MM preamp.

Regards,
Adrian

[Jazz Ad]

Probably a fried chipset. If it's the case, MM will be able to provide a replacement.

[timbledum]

Hey just been playing with my pickup and its supposed to be 1.8-2k resistance for the whole pickup in parallel, or around 3.8k resistance per coil. Hope that helps with testing the pickup.

[BassLife77]

Originally Posted by Andy73

#1 - how do I test the pickup?
#2 - where do I find and authentic schematic for preamp? I have built pedals from just a schematic, I would think I could do a preamp also...

Thanks!

more than likely the pickup is ok but I would still test it. you can build a preamp like I did by checking out this thread Stingray aftermarket 2 band pre It's a pretty easy build, only took me an hour to solder and assemble it. The parts are inexpensive. I would also replace every wire and pot, even the pickup wires. I never had to contact Ernie Ball because I never had a StingRay go bad. they might have a lifetime warranty or you might have to buy a preamp

[Andy73]

Thanks for all the responses. I'll start with this info and see where it takes me!