Bartolini mk2 in Ibanez BTB670. Low E string too loud.

[JamesNC]

Ibanez BTB670 bass with Bartolini mk2 pickups. Low E string is much louder than the others and I do not see a way to lower that side of the pickup like I might do with a Strat for example.

I’m using a Cab M+ to record a bass track but am dead in the water with this low E volume issue.

I’m not a noob, but I’m also no expert when it comes to this stuff. I don’t typically work on my own gear.

Any sensible advice?

 

[Aidil]

Did all the strings come from the same set? If they didn't, could be the low-E is a different kind of string than the rests, which is one of those more highly magnetic strings.

 

[JamesNC]

Did all the strings come from the same set? If they didn't, could be the low-E is a different kind of string than the rests, which is one of those more highly magnetic strings.

They’re fairly new strings, all from the same set.

 

[Aidil]

I remember seeing some older BTB models which had piezo under saddle pickups. These models had individual trim pot for each piezo saddle pickup at the back of the bass near the electronic cavity cover, so each string piezo volume could be set accordingly to match the others. But, I don't know whether your BTB is one of these.

Other than that, you might have to push down the MK2 pickups and tighten the screws on the low-E side, so this side of the two MK2 pickups will be lower/further away from the strings than the G string side. Or, do the other way around to raise the G string side while keeping the low-E string side. Or, do both.

 

[JamesNC]

I remember seeing some older BTB models which had piezo under saddle pickups. These models had individual trim pot for each piezo saddle pickup at the back of the bass near the electronic cavity cover, so each string piezo volume could be set accordingly to match the others. But, I don't know whether your BTB is one of these.

Other than that, you might have to push down the MK2 pickups and tighten the screws on the low-E side, so this side of the two MK2 pickups will be lower/further away from the strings than the G string side. Or, do the other way around to raise the G string side while keeping the low-E string side. Or, do both.

Hm, no trim pots on my BTB670. After reading your post, I practically ran for the bass thinking “That’s it!”. No such luck.

However, I was able to raise the treble side of the pickup a bit, which allowed me to firmly but carefully tighten/lower the bass side screws. Big improvement. Treble side is a tad hot now, so I’ll lower that side a little and should be ok.