Ibanez BTB 556 Low Output?

[Shelly]

Hello,

Despite having fresh batteries and strings, my new Ibanez BTB 556 has a rather low output for an active bass, especially compared to my other active basses. Have other BTB owners noticed this with their instruments? I had an SR506 overnight on one occasion and it had a higher output than the 556. I can always increase my rig input gain to compensate; I'm just trying to assure that my bass is OK

Thanks!

 

[bassbengoa]

Yeah... i have the same problem i think. And if I crank the amp it clips. Even my crappy Crafter sounded a lot louder. I wonder if there is a way to fix this




And suscribing

 

[MM-Stingray5]

Have you changed the 9 volt recently? That always slips my mind when my bass sound is weak. I always think that something terrible has gone wrong.

 

[billbern]

Yeah, i've got a BTB1005, 18 volt pre. it has low output compared to other active basses. i think this is normal from what i've heard. i couldn't find a trim pot or other adjustment.

Bill

 

[i_got_a_mohawk]

Erm, i cant remember, but, i think there is a trim pot inside the bass that controls the output, you should be able to turn that, its like a little white screw you can turn.

Then again, it might not and i might be thinking of one of my other ibbyz

 

[MM-Stingray5]

sorry i feel like an jerk, i didnt see that you had changed the battery!

try taking it into a near by shop and get them to check the solder becuase sometimes it comes detached and you lose power somehow..i have no idea how that works!

 

[Shelly]

Don't worry about it...we all miss something now and then.

I probably will have it looked at, or maybe even take a peak myself, although, the low output seems par for the course from the responses so far.

Thanks!

 

[bassbengoa]

Erm, i cant remember, but, i think there is a trim pot inside the bass that controls the output, you should be able to turn that, its like a little white screw you can turn.

Then again, it might not and i might be thinking of one of my other ibbyz

I've seen that in Gary Willis models, but I'm not sure about the 556. I looked inside it and found nothing, but I don't understand much. Does it really have a trim pot? Like, does someone have a picture or something?

 

[bassbengoa]

BUMP

 

[iamlowsound]

I have also found that they have a low output. No idea how to fix it though. Both of the Ibanez's that I have owned have had good output.

lowsound

 

[MM-Stingray5]

I cant remember where i read it, if i find it i will post it but it said something about ibanez's volume pots being weaker than most other brands? i cant remember but that may be it. Also how how are you pick-ups?

 

[bassbengoa]

I cant remember where i read it, if i find it i will post it but it said something about ibanez's volume pots being weaker than most other brands? i cant remember but that may be it. Also how how are you pick-ups?

What do you mean?
PUs are Bartolini MK-1, I really like the tone, it's not weak. It just has low volume

 

[MM-Stingray5]

sorry i dont even understand what i was saying there. But i remember reading somewhere that the pre-amps are weaker than most?? i truelydont know i will have to look into it some more. what i meant on the end of my little blog of nothin is "how high are your pick-up" i cant type are they far close to the strings or no? becuase if you have some room you could add some gain by bringing them a little higher.

 

[bassbengoa]

sorry i dont even understand what i was saying there. But i remember reading somewhere that the pre-amps are weaker than most?? i truelydont know i will have to look into it some more. what i meant on the end of my little blog of nothin is "how high are your pick-up" i cant type are they far close to the strings or no? becuase if you have some room you could add some gain by bringing them a little higher.

LOL, i have the same problem. I almost can't type at all, because english is not my first language, and I'm not even good at it.
Now, pickups are still in the same position as they came and i think they're pretty high, so I don't think solutuion is going that way.
Besides, so many people with low pickups is kinnda wierd
Maybe is the preamp that has los output? It's a Bartolini one, but i don't know what model, because the guy who sold my mom this bass (she bought it for me when she went to the states a while ago, i live in Chile ) gave her guitar tools, a guitar guarantee and a guitar users guide. I even got a tremolo!
So, anyone's got a clue?!

 

[ideitbawx]

well, i'm glad (and a little confused) that i'm not the only one with this issue. my btb 6-string (don't remember the exact model #, but it's 2005ish) seems to barely register compared to my schecter omen 4, or even my brother's passive gibson copy guitar (ie looks like angus young's guitar from ac/dc, but it's a knock-off). Why, for any reason at all, would they intentionally design a guitar that you have to crank to full blast just to barely hear it? Do other ibanez basses/guitars have this problem?

 

[taygunov]

I have a high end BTB and I definitely have the same problem, haha. prior to this thread I thought only my BTB had this problem. I am interested in a solution

 

[CraigMack]

...bump

BTB405 and wondering too

 

[_jojo_bass]

It may or may not be your fault, but sometimes if the battery is put in backwards, it can short circuit and cause problematic problems. Ya dig? I'd get it checked