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Amp problem or bass problem?

NZBassman

NZBassman

Jan 25, 2007
5,941
11,479
Auckland, New Zealand
#1
I've got an Ashdown EVO 900 amp and run that through a warwick 410 cab (600w 8ohm)
and I play a squire vintage modified jazz bass in a covers band

I've been having a problem pretty much ever since I bought the squire bass 4 months ago.
the problem is when I pluck / play the strings with my fingers you can hear the plucking through the amp instead of just the notes I am playing - it sounds like the horn is turned up on my cab but it isn't and it sounds even worse when I use a pick (on a few songs).
This was never a problem with my old Ibanez bass.

I've tried adjusting my amp settings, but then at last nights gig drummer complained he couldn't hear my bass notes clearly (again!) and requested I turn the treble and mid up... but it just sounded even worse!

I'm not sure if it is an amp problem or a speaker problem, but at rehearsal I played through an old Rockit 200w amp (NZ made!) and a cab with a 1x18 and a 1x10 that our drummer built a few years ago and the bass sounded mint - warm and smooth, but at the gig my amp sounds pretty ordinary in comparison.

what things can I try to figure out what the problem is?
 
#2
NZBassman said:
I've got an Ashdown EVO 900 amp and run that through a warwick 410 cab (600w 8ohm)
and I play a squire vintage modified jazz bass in a covers band

I've been having a problem pretty much ever since I bought the squire bass 4 months ago.
the problem is when I pluck / play the strings with my fingers you can hear the plucking through the amp instead of just the notes I am playing - it sounds like the horn is turned up on my cab but it isn't and it sounds even worse when I use a pick (on a few songs).
This was never a problem with my old Ibanez bass.

I've tried adjusting my amp settings, but then at last nights gig drummer complained he couldn't hear my bass notes clearly (again!) and requested I turn the treble and mid up... but it just sounded even worse!

I'm not sure if it is an amp problem or a speaker problem, but at rehearsal I played through an old Rockit 200w amp (NZ made!) and a cab with a 1x18 and a 1x10 that our drummer built a few years ago and the bass sounded mint - warm and smooth, but at the gig my amp sounds pretty ordinary in comparison.

what things can I try to figure out what the problem is?
Click to expand...
One thing to check is the string height on the squire bass. If the strings are too close to the pick-ups the output will sound like you described. Could try lowering the pick-up using the screws on each pick-up.
 
#5
thanks for the replies... my bass sounded fine through a different amp and speaker though, so that's why I thought it wasn't a bass problem... I did change the strings about a month ago though.
I might take the bass along to the music shop for them to do a set up on it
 
#6
Here's also a chance for you to focus on technique. Many years ago I encountered your issue and set-up was indeed part of the problem. I also discovered that I was banging on the strings. I used the opportunity to focus on my picking-hand technique and in the end improved my overall consistency. ...not saying that's your circumstance, but I bet it's worth thinking about, anyway.
 
#7
TomB said:
Here's also a chance for you to focus on technique. Many years ago I encountered your issue and set-up was indeed part of the problem. I also discovered that I was banging on the strings. I used the opportunity to focus on my picking-hand technique and in the end improved my overall consistency. ...not saying that's your circumstance, but I bet it's worth thinking about, anyway.
Click to expand...

yeah my style has changed a lot 15+ years ago I used to play with a pick, but found if my hands got sweaty I would drop the pick and use my fingers... I just got used to playing with my fingers and that's the way I've played for ages now...... I use a pick for about 4 songs and use my fingers for all others.
I do play the strings pretty hard - I think it is in my nature as when I play the drums (If a drummer will let me near their kit) I play them hard too!
But I'll get a set up done and go from there

thanks for the replies
 
#11
dincz said:
Sounds like an expensive way of failing to solve a potentially simple problem.
Click to expand...

NZBassman said:
exactly..... there's nothing wrong with the electronics in the bass - probably just needs a decent setup and she should be good to go!
Click to expand...

Um, a setup did not help in my case, in case you missed the irony of my suggestion. The VM might have sounded just OK if I replaced everything on it and moved the pickups...it was a dud. :D
 
#12
I played my bass last night acoustically with no amp and my strings were buzzing a bit, so I need to get it set up so the strings are not buzzing and the strings are not hitting the pick ups when I play.
before I bought this bass I tried it against a MIM fender and couldn't tell any difference.... except the MIM Fender was $450 more that the Squire. and I'm happy with the way the squire plays in general
 

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