Bass gain issues...

[12pstan345]

Evening.

I've a bit of an ongoing issue with my Bass.

I play a Fender Jazz Bass - but I've swapped out the pickups for Seymour Duncan Basslines (STK-J1B Bridge & STK-J1n Neck).

I've also completely shielded everything inside after some substantial hum.

I play with a band and I do dep work now and again for bands, and theyve all reported that my bass needs to be boosted quite substantially to even hear it properly. To put it in to context, one told me he boosts guitar by +5db but my bass was close to +50db.

I know this is a passive bass, and it goes into the desk via DI using a Pro Radial DI box.

Why am I having gain issues with bass? What can I do to try and identify the problem?

I've been told by one guy that an active Preamp may help (something like the J-Retro 01?) may give me the boost I need, but without spending ~£200 I first wanted to know what other issues could be causing the low gain - and if theres anything I can do other than spend that money (i.e. better pickups with higher gain - any recommendations if so?)

Hope you can help
Stann

 

[two fingers]

The first thing you need to do is compare it to another bass all other components being equal. In other words, go to a store. Grab a Jazz bass. Set the volume however you want. Play for a minute. Then plug your bass in.

A few things to check.

Does the Radial have a pad? In other words, does it have a button that reduces the signal for particularly hot signals? If so, make sure it is not engaged.

Your cable. Make sure the cable is "good". Maybe take it with you to the store for experimenting.

Who installed the pickups? Was it done properly?

Best of luck hunting this down.

 

[12pstan345]

The first thing you need to do is compare it to another bass all other components being equal. In other words, go to a store. Grab a Jazz bass. Set the volume however you want. Play for a minute. Then plug your bass in.

A few things to check.

Does the Radial have a pad? In other words, does it have a button that reduces the signal for particularly hot signals? If so, make sure it is not engaged.

Your cable. Make sure the cable is "good". Maybe take it with you to the store for experimenting.

Who installed the pickups? Was it done properly?

Best of luck hunting this down.

Radial does have a pad yes - we've turned this off as it gives a -15db pad.

Pickups all installed correctly to the instructions that came with the pickups themselves.

Would a cable make that much difference? I only ever use 2 cables; a fender professional series cable, and a Roland professional series cable. The XLR from DI to desk is a known working very high quality cable too (Neutrik ends too).

Is there anything I can check from home electrical wise? I have a multimeter - but not sure what I'd be testing for to determine the output etc.

 

[two fingers]

Radial does have a pad yes - we've turned this off as it gives a -15db pad.

Pickups all installed correctly to the instructions that came with the pickups themselves.

Would a cable make that much difference? I only ever use 2 cables; a fender professional series cable, and a Roland professional series cable. The XLR from DI to desk is a known working very high quality cable too (Neutrik ends too).

Is there anything I can check from home electrical wise? I have a multimeter - but not sure what I'd be testing for to determine the output etc.

I'm sure there is. And hopefully someone will be along any time to tell us what it is.

But an A/B test with a different bass and a different cable would be the "quick n dirty" way of narrowing down the issue.

Best of luck with it.

 

[fretno]

put a multimeter on that 1/4" plug and see what they read