I'm not familiar with Ampeg amps, but I would try this with any amp - separate chicken from egg as it were. Do you have a different bass you can use with the amp? If it's happening with more than one bass, then it is more likely the amp. Also try using another cable if the problem persists with a different bass or the same one and not using any effects (if you do). The idea here is to simply the chain and isolate which component is having an issue.
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Modulus Mob
- Thread starter rockstarbassist
- Start date
Well, I have used several different basses with this amp including my Mod Bassstar, Fender Am Deluxe V and my Mod Genesis. All cause the amp to peak, but I do boost the EQ on all my basses. Bass wide open, Treble in the middle position. Volume I have been dialing back on to try to not have the amp peak, but I am thinking now that it may be the amp having issues.. My Q5 is a 9v system btw.
That would kind of signal to me that something is going on with the amp or something else in the chain and not the basses.
You could also try using the MIA Deluxe in passive and see if that sets it off, just to weed out if it's the active signal. Try it with db pad on the amp on and off.
You could also try using the MIA Deluxe in passive and see if that sets it off, just to weed out if it's the active signal. Try it with db pad on the amp on and off.
I tried it with 800 grit and the surface is not as forgiving as wood with regards to aesthetics. Unless you are a robot and can keep a perfectly straight line up and down the neck, it's not going to look good IMO. I also tried going up to 1000 and 1200 to see if I could smooth out the lines left by the 800 grit - just got finer lines on top of the 800 lines. The scratched edges of the poly catch the light and are very apparent on top of the dark background - not very pleasing to the eye so I ended up carefully buffing them out with polishing compound.
But if you don't care about aesthetics, then yes you can technically. I, myself, could not abide with how it looked...
In the end I had Pat Wilkins refinish the neck in satin for me and it's glorious
Not that I play a modulus... I don't have that kind of money but think they're neat!
But I've used those green scotch-brite pads on my Spector's neck and also on a stratocaster, and it worked quite well and doesn't look any different than stock. Getting it a bit wet keeps it from leaving any lines and it's fairly straightforward.
I would try it on a cheap bass first, but worth a try!
The pads would yield the same result. It's a matter of the how the scratches (no matter the source) pick up the light on the dark background of the carbon fiber neck.
Actually, given the practice of boosting the bass knob a lot on all your basses, I would not suspect the amp first.
Running your on-board EQ bass knob at max is generally not recommended. It very often causes the exact problem you're describing. Better to start with your EQ set flat, then cut frequencies to taste. This way you don't run into gain issues.
Since you're currently running bass at max and treble flat, I'd try running bass at halfway up then cutting treble back by half or so.
You generally want to try for overall volume gain of -0- in your EQ stage, whether on the bass or on the amp. A little increase is OK, but try to keep it as little as you can.
Also try using more of your amp's EQ and less of your on-board.
Running your on-board EQ bass knob at max is generally not recommended. It very often causes the exact problem you're describing. Better to start with your EQ set flat, then cut frequencies to taste. This way you don't run into gain issues.
Since you're currently running bass at max and treble flat, I'd try running bass at halfway up then cutting treble back by half or so.
You generally want to try for overall volume gain of -0- in your EQ stage, whether on the bass or on the amp. A little increase is OK, but try to keep it as little as you can.
Also try using more of your amp's EQ and less of your on-board.
Hey Ramusic, um... this is the Modulus Mob.. Pick one up.. Come to the Dark side Luke.. Just kidding.. You have to really be careful with the Scotchbrite pads. They can be way to aggressive and dig into the finish instead of knocking off the shine. 800g or even 1200g will do the trick nice and easy. Much cheaper would be 0000 steel wool, but again, if you are not careful you can dig into the finish leaving it wavy and feeling funny ..
Believe me, I want to pick one up... maybe come tax return time.
I was able to keep things uniform, and adding some water while lightly knocking down the shine kept things consistent. Not sure the grade of the pad I used, but I know they come in finer gains. I taped off around the heel of the neck and where the headstock started to make sure it didn't come out sloppy. Still, if I could afford a satin refin, that's the route I'd go.
I've recently rediscovered why I own a couple of Modulus basses, a '91 Q5 and a '92 Q4. The Q4 is just perfect for the music I'm mostly playing these days so I'd like a number please. BTW I bought this bass off a fellow TB'er about a year ago so if this photo looks familiar that would be why.
Thanks; yes they are. I really like them though a lot of folks don't. They're factory equipped on both my Modulus basses and I'd never change them out.
Irieg, did you figure out the problem? Last year I had an ampeg amp peaking...SVT-4 and I changed the battery in my Q5 and it took care of the problem.
Changed my battery last night. 2-1/2 hour set. Not a single peak light. However, it was outdoors! Note - I really boosted the volume too. Had the volume to 4 and gain all the way up to 1 o'clock on the amp!! It was cool to be able to open her up and rip!!
Great bass, I've been looking for awhile for exactly your bass, seems Q5's are way
more common than Q4's. Oh well, the search continues!!!
more common than Q4's. Oh well, the search continues!!!
I've recently rediscovered why I own a couple of Modulus basses, a '91 Q5 and a '92 Q4. The Q4 is just perfect for the music I'm mostly playing these days so I'd like a number please. BTW I bought this bass off a fellow TB'er about a year ago so if this photo looks familiar that would be why.
I'd been looking for a Q4 for quite some time so I jumped on this one immediately after it came up for sale. I was not disappointed. Best of luck on your search.
Thanks RobJ! Anybody out there in Modulus land that has a four banger Q4 they need to sell,
please let me know. EMG pickups work for me, but Barts OK also
please let me know. EMG pickups work for me, but Barts OK also
