1995 Gibson LP Distortion Problem

[mr powers]

Hello fellow bass players (most of you better than me I'm sure).
I bought a 95 Gibson LP and shortly thereafter found out why the guy wanted to get rid of it.
The pre-amp distorts.

I read a couple posts on here where someone has converted the system to passive but I'm not sure if that's the best way to go.

I'm mostly a 6 string guy and I'm not too familiar with bass bits but I'm wondering if I should just swap the whole system out for new pickups and knobs and NOT concern myself with keeping it original (but passive) or...would I be better off to convert it to passive.

I don't know if these Bartolini pickups would even sound good converted to passive.

Any thought and/or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

 

[CnB77]

Have you tried putting a fresh battery in it?

 

[mr powers]

Absolutely.

Apparently it's a known issue with this bass and this pickup system.

 

[SGD Lutherie]

The pickups should be fine passive. It's worth a try anyway.

 

[mr powers]

You know what? That's true...it's worth a try.

Good point.

cheers

 

[aquateen]

I took the preamp out of one and wired it passive. it's sounds pretty good to me, similar to a tbird.

 

[SturmUndDrang]

Aquateen, your LPB1 has tb+ pickups which probably sound better passive than the Barts if that's what mr powers has. Depending which model the op has it could have either. If they're bartolinis I might try replacing the preamp or look for a way to convert it to 18volt.

 

[mr powers]

I thought the pickups were Barts but now I'm not so sure.
They look the same as aquateen's.

The preamp is Bartolin but the pickups are not labelled.
I suppose they are marked on the underside.

 

[SturmUndDrang]

I believe it's the lpb2 or les Paul deluxe that had the barts. Those basses are flat top with a subtle flame maple top and burst finishes. The differences in all the LP basses can get confusing between 92' and 07'.

 

[aquateen]

yeah, those are TB+ pickups in mine (a '94). and you're right, the various LP models can get confusing.

 

[mr powers]

Can anyone tell me if the picups are active or passive?
I know the preamp makes it active.
Thanks in advance.

 

[SturmUndDrang]

Those are TB+ pickups. They are passive and use ceramic magnets. The bass sounds great wired passive V/T/V/T and it's a very common modification for this model.

 

[mr powers]

Now that's good service!!!

Thank you very much. I can't wait to get the distortion off of this bass.

Cheers.