• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Ibanez SR300E Distorting

Hevy T

Hevy T

Jan 11, 2011
4,293
4,017
56
Lethbridge, AB Canada
#1
This bass is brand new. I sent it out for it's free setup. The action still feels a little high for what I like. But if I lower it it buzzes!

I have also noticed while practicing through my headphones if I max the preamp controls and the volume I get major distortion no matter what volume I have my preamp set at.

I have lowered the pickups, and even changed out the "brand new" battery...no difference!

Is it possible that the signal is just too hot for the headphones?
Any suggestions?
 
#2
Hevy T said:
This bass is brand new. I sent it out for it's free setup. The action still feels a little high for what I like. But if I lower it it buzzes!

I have also noticed while practicing through my headphones if I max the preamp controls and the volume I get major distortion no matter what volume I have my preamp set at.

I have lowered the pickups, and even changed out the "brand new" battery...no difference!

Is it possible that the signal is just too hot for the headphones?
Any suggestions?
Click to expand...
I would start by replacing the battery.
 
#6
A question and an observation:

What quality of headphone are you using?

Diming all the preamp controls is going to put out a very hot signal. Unless you have to have the tone of everything cranked all the way up the answer seems to be to not dime everything. I don't know how that would be a useful tone on sn SR300E anyhow.
 
#7
Try turning the bass knob all the way off on the intrument. Perhaps the 'distortion' comes from your headphones not being able to reproduces the low tones.

(PS if I were you i'd get a bass that can get a more decent action. I have the sr300 and know how bad it can be. Maybe exchange it for another one?)
 
#8
Hey did you have any luck sorting out the issue?
I have a sr300e with same issue, I believe it's a fault with the preamp board in mine anyway.
Even with lowed pickups, a new battery and running direct into a very high headroom radial jdi/preamp input the distortion begins to appear even with a slight bass or mid control boost.
 
#9
Stu Ball said:
Hey did you have any luck sorting out the issue?
I have a sr300e with same issue, I believe it's a fault with the preamp board in mine anyway.
Even with lowed pickups, a new battery and running direct into a very high headroom radial jdi/preamp input the distortion begins to appear even with a slight bass or mid control boost.
Click to expand...
I loved the bass except for this issue. However I brought it back and a SR305e that I also had and got a Ray 34 instead.

One day I would like to find one used and swap out the preamp, but I was not going to take tat kind of a hit on a new instrument
 
  • Like
Reactions: Stu Ball

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back