Acoustic Pick up Question

[n4ptime]

Hey all. I have a Samick acoustic bass that I got for very cheap. It plays well and sounds good.
It has a 2band active eq with a ceramic piezo pickup http://belcat.com/html/products/preamp/pdf/AT-3000.pdf
It has 3 sliders "Low" , "Hi" and Volume. The LOW setting adjusts fine at any volume. Meaning I can have the volume at 25% and still dial in the lows.
The PROBLEM I have is that the HI is in audible and not adjustable unless the volume is set to about 90%-100%.
I can adjust the volume on my amp to compensate for the guitar being so hot but I'm curious as to what the problem might be.
I checked the wiring and plugs and all seems fine. New battery and I cleaned the sliders / plug with contact cleaner.


Thanks much.

 

[Alan Ace Cooper]

I had a Samick, Greg Bennette model with a slightly quirky preamp. To avoid it, I would keep it flat and I got a Fishman Platinum DI for gigs. The pedal almost cost as much as the guitar, but it allowed me to concentrate on just my playing and the volume control. The problem is just how it's EQd on the chip. More than likely, they use the same preamp for every acoustic bass model. Meaning the EQ points from wood type to wood type are not adjusted for Maple sides and Maple top versus Rosewood sides with a Spruce top. You can try using a less zingy string - Something like the D'Addario Black Tapewound strings should be a good choice. Flats are okay but usually too much tension - The alternative are the Thomastik Jazz Flats, which are about $90 per set - At that price point, for a few bucks more, you could find a used LR Baggs or Fishman EQ/Preamp and be done.