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Help me diagnose the problem with my Marcus Miller jazz bass

Discussion in 'Pickups & Electronics [BG]' started by Visirale, Jun 24, 2008.

  1. Jun 24, 2008 #1
    Visirale

    Visirale

    Mar 23, 2003
    Orlando
    I'm not too mechanically inclined and would like to fix this without taking it to a repair guy because I'm looking to sell it soon and don't want to pump more money into it.

    Here's the deal: I lent this bass out to a good friend (who takes very good care of his gear, he's a great guitar player and needed it to play in his college's jazz band) I am pretty sure he didn't do anything to it. Out of nowhere the bridge pickup stopped working. Absolutely no sound from it. I had my older friend who is pretty electrically handy take a look at it and he said all the solders were good and he wasn't sure what the problem could be. He said maybe a bad pot.

    All I know is that it produces absolutely no sound from the bridge pickup and no sound is produced when you turn the pot (no scratches or anything). the neck pickup still works fine, as does the preamp, in active and passive mode.

    What should I look for to determine what's wrong? The bass is less than a year old... how is Fender's customer service?

    Thanks guys... I really am clueless when it comes to the electronical/mechanical inner-workings of our instruments.
     
  2. Jun 25, 2008 #2
    GabeN

    GabeN

    Feb 27, 2006
    Chugiak, AK
    Try running a continuity test on the pickup leads and for that matter all the wires in the bass. It could be a broken wire inside it's insulation or maybe a bad pickup internally. You'll need a multimeter.
     
  3. Jun 25, 2008 #3
    4StringTheorist

    4StringTheorist Supporting Member

    Jan 19, 2008
    near Ft. Worth, TX, U.S.A.
    I'll do a quick translation on that since the OP said:

    By continuity test, GabeN means that you want to verify that the wiring in the bass is properly connected, and doing its job of conducting electricity. This includes the wiring internal to the pickups themselves.

    The most convenient way is to use a multimeter (or just an ohmmeter) to read the resistance of a particular circuit. However, given what you've said, you likely don't have access to a multimeter, and/or might not be interested in purchasing a slightly pricey bit of electronics gear just for this fix.

    Also, how comfortable are you with soldering? In even the best case, your fix will involve doing some of that.
     
  4. Jun 25, 2008 #4
    mjolnir

    mjolnir Thor's Hammer 2.1.3beta

    Jun 15, 2006
    Houston, TX
    Post up some pictures, maybe that will help us help you a little better.
     
  5. Jun 25, 2008 #5
    Visirale

    Visirale

    Mar 23, 2003
    Orlando
    Thanks to the original information, and the translation (yes, I did need it, haha :)). I can do elementary soldering and know people who are better than myself if it is more complex.

    I'll work on getting some pictures up tonight... I appreciate the help so far!