• 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.

Is my pickup bad?

#2
What have you tried as far as troubleshooting? 90% of the time passive bass electronic problems end up being the jack. Dirty pots or bad solder joints can also do what you're describing. Or it could be the pickup, but the other bits are more likely to be causing the issue.
 
#3
I thought it might be the tone pot. I replaced it with another, but that didn't solve the problem. No crackling sounds when adjusting the volume or tone. If the problem is the jack, is there something I could do to the existing one, or does it need replaced?
 
#4
If its corrosion or dirt you might be able to clean it. Jacks are so cheap that typically replacing is the path of least resistance and best result. Did this condition develop slowly over time? You could just jump the pickup out to an amp directly to test it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Justinian and AudioTaper
#5
I bought the bass used about 10 years ago. I didn't realize something was wrong until I got an SB-1000, which sounds much better in its passive mode compared to the 700. I have a new jack here. I will replace it now and let you know if that takes care of the problem.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Reedt2000
#7
I'm not really familiar with those pickups, can you open it up and see the coils? If so it can most likely be re-wound and re-magnetized. I know Lindy Frailin does that as do other companies. I found these guys online offering a variety replacement options (but I don't know anything about them).

Link Removed
 
#8
Your pickup is really bad but in a drunk mess kinda way. Your pickup sent a round of Jello shots to that table of women at the corner, the ones still wearing their ID badges from the agri-business trade show. Nobody does Jello shots anymore but your pickup is still quoting lines from Animal House, old school but not creepy. The one on the end with the kitten heel boots winked at your pickup. Your pickup has been hanging out here a lot. Your pickup got into it with the bouncer over the dress code but they made up and I think they're bros now.
 
  • Like
Reactions: superblues, instrumentlevel, BarfanyShart and 8 others
#9
Killing Floor said:
Your pickup is really bad but in a drunk mess kinda way. Your pickup sent a round of Jello shots to that table of women at the corner, the ones still wearing their ID badges from the agri-business trade show. Nobody does Jello shots anymore but your pickup is still quoting lines from Animal House, old school but not creepy. The one on the end with the kitten heel boots winked at your pickup. Your pickup has been hanging out here a lot. Your pickup got into it with the bouncer over the dress code but they made up and I think they're bros now.
Click to expand...
I’m 40 and still have never seen Animal House lol. Not sure if you’re quoting things from it, but if not... :roflmao:
 
  • Like
Reactions: AudioTaper
#10
I would look everywhere else first. The poles, coil wouldn't change in a measurable way in your lifetime. But as stated by others the jack is a moving part with a contact surface that can be worn and can even be bent resulting in loss of contact. Pots are moving parts and can degrade. Another thing easy to miss is resistors. That age would likely be an oil cap, they are subject to environmental factors. If it were my bass I'd run it to a shop and ask them to replace with a Switchcraft jack and check or replace the pots and wiring. There's almost nothing that would cause the pickup to fail on its own.
 
#11
If you were able to replace the tone pot and jack, no need to go to a shop. Especially now.

I would do what Reedt2000 said and wire the pickup directly to the output. That would help narrow down what is bad.

Is this an active/passive bass? Passive bass with a preamp? I dont know this model well, so more information and pictures would help.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Reedt2000
#14
JVbass said:
I installed the new jack, still have the problem. The more I think about it, yes, the pickup has slowly started to get worse over time.
Click to expand...
Along with cleaning all the contacts and switches, which you've probably done, soldering straight to the jack from the pickup is a good idea. Measuring the pickup also good advice while it's disconnected. Epoxy potted pickups can fail as the epoxy can sometime shrink or contract and take out a wire---rare but happened to me with a Series 1 pickup.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Reedt2000
#15
Solder pickup to jack directly...IF output still low then buy new pickup.
if sound is nice and full then rewire vol and tone pots.

ooops: just got beat on my comment well any way I second it.
 
#20
Pickups made by reputable manufacturers don't "fade" - they almost always work right or are very broken - usually dead from an open circuit or a short. The time it takes for a decently made permanent magnet to degrade by 10 percent is.....well, let's just say your grandchildren will be dead long before that happens.

The culprit is likely somewhere else in the wiring.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back