I was unfamiliar with the Ibanez Mezzo so I had to look it up. Seems they have 4 knobs and passive PJ pickups. So I would just remove the active EQ and wire it like a stacked knob Jazz bass but without the knobs being stacked. So two volumes and two tones. Head over to StewMac and get the pots and resistors you need.
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A little late to the party here, but... I just picked up a mezzo yesterday and notice the same issue that the OP was experiencing. In my case, it turned out that the active bass EQ knob was boosted quite a bit. Total distortion! I turned the knob back to the "neutral" position and the problem went away. I despise active EQ on a bass!!!
I plan on re-wiring to a totally passive V-B-T config as soon as I can. (the 4th (unused) knob will be labelled "suck", I'll try to keep it turned down...)
That active EQ, besides being awful, is a recipe for disaster in live shows. The last thing I need is to reach for my tone knob in the heat of battle and accidentally crank that stupid bass boost, followed shortly by our rather large sound tech chasing me around the parking lot with a baseball bat.
I plan on re-wiring to a totally passive V-B-T config as soon as I can. (the 4th (unused) knob will be labelled "suck", I'll try to keep it turned down...)
That active EQ, besides being awful, is a recipe for disaster in live shows. The last thing I need is to reach for my tone knob in the heat of battle and accidentally crank that stupid bass boost, followed shortly by our rather large sound tech chasing me around the parking lot with a baseball bat.
- Dec 27, 2010
- 14
- 33
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Pedulla, LaBella, Trickfish, Line6
Also new to this thread I just recently picked up a mezzo 5'r as I am experimenting with shorter scale necks. Anyway, I took it to it's first gig last night and to my dismay experienced the same issue; fairly severe distortion when playing a bit harder or "digging in". I had two other basses with me, a buzz bass and a Lakland so it wasn't the bass rig or pedals. First thing I did was cut back on the active eq and volume but even after that it was still slightly audible. Bummer because I like the neck and its priced well but still, this should be addressed by Ibanez. Its a thing for sure
