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Dean Playmate ABG weak output

tdogg

tdogg

Jan 17, 2001
1,450
50
Brooklyn Park, MN
www.thebrewersunion.com
#1
i recently bought a used Dean playmate acoustic bass. the unplugged sound is great but the passive piezo that is installed in this thing is weak and nearly useless. any thoughts on what i can do to improve the plugged in sound? can i use a piezo and active pre intended for a regular acoustic? what about the magnetic soundhole pickups that are used for regular acoustics? thanks in advance!
 
#3
I've had the same problem - but my E string cuts nicely, and all the others are gone completely from the mix when it's plugged in.

I've read these Piezos can shift placement or get dirt or dust underneath them and it will cut your signal significantly. I just haven't taken it in to a tech yet to find out actually what's happening there. I got my Dean AEB for $90, so I can't really complain.
 
#5
tdogg said:
yeah i got mine NEARLY new with a case for $150. so im def not complaining. i would just like to take it to jazz band practice once in a while. (and still be heard, we have ma 9 peice brass section)
Click to expand...

Best bet would probably be to take it in to a tech and possibly have them replace the pickup. I tried taking a look at mine and decided I have no business trying to mess with that pickup as they're pretty delicate I've heard. :hmm:

There was a dude on here who had a diagram of how to adjust the PU so it functions properly, but I can't seem to find it.
 
#7
My Dean EAB Fretless Acoustic/Electric had the same problem. There was very little output coming from the G string. I just removed the strings and the plastic saddle piece on top of the bridge, to expose the piezo. I noticed that it needed just a little more slack to reach the G string side of the cavity, so I just pulled a little more of the piezo out. It was an easy fix...no more output problems. Just make sure the piezo is totally flat when you replace the plastic saddle.
 

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