Active Bass - Hiss Anyone?

cm3ohana · #1 08-03-2011, 06:04 PM

I love my Conklin Groove Tools 5 (GT5) bass and everything works great except for some excessive hiss with the treble EQ. At a neutral setting, there is no audible hiss. But, as I max out the treble EQ, the hiss is, unfortunately, very noticeable. As a result, I EQ the amp instead of the bass. Is this what others experience with their active bass (Conklin or otherwise) or do I possibly have a defective pre-amp? I guess there are a couple of different versions of the Conklin GT5. Mine is the one with 5 controls and a slap toggle no the one with the four controls (if it makes a difference). Thanks for any insight you can provide.

Marton · #2 08-03-2011, 06:06 PM

In my experience, that's perfectly normal.

Carpediem930 · #3 08-03-2011, 06:51 PM

My Thumb does the same thing. Normal as far as I can tell

Kwesi · #4 08-03-2011, 07:04 PM

Hiss? I don't think I've ever encounter hiss on a bass. Are you sure it isn't your amp? That's usually the culprit in my experience. Then again I never max out my treble EQ.

dalahorse · #5 08-03-2011, 07:07 PM

Active treble EQ hiss when maxed is normal as far as I know. This is also true on my Schecter, FWIW.

cm3ohana · #6 08-03-2011, 07:31 PM

Thanks for the quick response. My other basses are fine in the amp. Just this one seems to have the hiss with the treble. I don't have a reason to max it out but noticed that it does this and I've found a way to compensate. You guys have been a great help...and $ saver since I won't have to fix it. I'm not going to worry about it. Thanks.

darkstorm · #7 08-03-2011, 08:33 PM

None of my last few basses had any hiss. Nor does current one. Myself except to test the ectremes, I normally dont boost treble past 30% boost. More often its flat, just slightly boosted, or rolled off up to 25% or thereabouts.

dalahorse · #8 08-04-2011, 07:32 AM

Well I guess I should clarify. Boosting treble to 100% on my Schecter bass will hiss, but it's only really noticeable if you listen for it. Different EQ circuits will probably sound different. For practical usage, I can't ever see myself ever boosting treble that much. Honestly, I leave it flat or roll it off.

aussiebasshero · #9 08-04-2011, 07:39 AM

Sounds like a lack of shielding to me. It's the same on my SR400, but only when I crank the treble. Most times it sits at 50% on and it's barely noticeable

bound'n'blocked · #10 08-04-2011, 08:47 AM

I turn the treble on my Carvin B5 up a bit and then add just a touch of bass past the center detent and haven't notice any hiss at all with the bass.

BnB