Fender elite jazz bass drops volume/clarity

[Travisjlive]

Hey guys

This happens ever so often during shows where I'm playing in active mode and the bass would be fine for a while but then all of a sudden drop volume and clarity while playing. Sometimes it comes back quick and other times it takes a while to pop back. It seems to also pop back when I slap a little harder than usual, almost as if it needs a kick up the ass to get going again. It's almost like it switches to passive mode.

The sound guy doesn't really notice it but I've been noticing it alot as I rely solely on iems for shows. It did it while recording in studio recently so I now have proof that it is the bass and not my amp or iems.

 

[Killing Floor]

If it works and fails intermittently it is probably a connection. You could take a look at the solder joints but you might start with the switch because that's the most likely mechanical part that could fail and the next thing I'd check is the battery harness. That you noticed it corrects when you beat it I'd look at the switch. Even replacing the switch is pretty easy. Wonder if it is in passive and you hit on it does it jump settings the other way? Or try tapping the switch. Does it toggle under incidental contact on the switch?

 

[Geri O]

Firstly, go inside the control cavities and make sure the connection to the batteries is good and the little plug from the batteries to the preamp board is securely connected.

It sounds like the preamp is turning off and the drop in volume you are hearing is the bass in passive mode. If the battery connection is solid, maybe check (or have it checked) for the battery power dropping out somehow.

I had an Elite Jazz a little while back and I putzed around a bit with the preamp. All of this is a guess.

Good luck..

 

[ad9000]

I agree with Geri O and Killing Floor and would guess that it is a failing cold solder connection on the preamp circuit board. I had a similar problem with mine, but it was affecting the midrange control. That was before I gutted the original electronics and replaced them with an Aguilar preamp.