TBC owners, volume and pan problem

Rumzini · #1 12-15-2007, 01:32 PM

I have a 400 AP MM. I can't turn the volume up all the way with out it severely distorting. Never had this problem on a bass before. Is it part and parcel of a 2 humbucker set up? I mean I can't turn it up just past "zero", before it starts to distort. I can send just enough signal to the effects and head. I've also bypassed the effects and tried new batteries and it's a no go. I alos have the talked about bad blend pot. I was sent two others from the factory and gee guess what...they are bad to. I can live with that but no volume control on the fly is a bummer.

DavidRavenMoon · #2 12-15-2007, 02:31 PM

Is this with the bass' preamp switch in or bypassed? Did you replace the battery in the bass?

I've set up a lot of basses with two MM pickups... that shouldn't be happening.

What kind of amp do you have?

Rumzini · #3 12-15-2007, 02:40 PM

As stated I tried new batteries. There isn't any switch for the preamp, (as far as I know). I use a Yorkville HA 400. Has mixable tube pre into solid state. I've tried with the tube off and on...same problem no matter w hat I do. Oh yeah. I've tried into another head as well. This is definatly a problem with my pre. I was just wondering if it was supposed to do that...'cuz I heard somewhere down the line that Stingrays do that to an extent...and since I also hear the MM version of this guitar is somewhat a "'Ray copy" that it was just normal....I find it irritating.

DavidRavenMoon · #4 12-15-2007, 02:49 PM

I'm not familiar with this bass, but on their website they say it has "Active and passive control"

Stingrays don't distort when you turn them past 1....

Is this your amp distorting or the bass? Does your amp have a padded input for active basses? I can't find any information on a Yorkville HA 400 on their site.

Also how do you have the input gain set? Does the amp have a master volume?

Rumzini · #5 12-15-2007, 02:55 PM

The amp has Gain, Tube Drive, and Master volume. All are set low, (at home volumes). I've also plugged in a friends bass into the head and no problems. So I know it's not the head. Also my model of bass dosn't have any switch. It's an older TBC from China...whch of course maybe the answer to this all. It's the bass for sure. I just wanted to find out if it was a normal prob...which you've stated that Rays don't distort after one. Sooo...I'm thinking I need a new pre.

DavidRavenMoon · #6 12-15-2007, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rumzini

The amp has Gain, Tube Drive, and Master volume. All are set low, (at home volumes).

Your master should be set high, and the gain set low for a clean tone.

But it sounds like it might be the bass.

How is your bass an older model if you were sent two more from the factory?

Rumzini · #7 12-17-2007, 12:15 PM

The owner of the Bass Company set up shop in China for a spell to cut costs. His health went south with all of the travelling and decided to come back to the US. I have one of the Chinese models...a bit older. While he was moving back he sent me a couple of blend pots to replace the bad one...however they were just as scratchy as the original. Since then the volume has gone bad and I'm thinking to heck with it...just get a new pre.