MTD sounds distorted

[BassistForJesus]

I think everyone knows that distortion when batteries die. Batteries were replaced and I am still getting distortion.... Thoughts?

 

[Apolicious]

Is this a new development? Have you tried playing it through other amps?

 

[Bass4LifeRS]

The battery wasn't fresh! Try another brand new one?

 

[BassistForJesus]

Batteries replaced again. Still distortion..... Tried several amps. Not the amp.

 

[sivarTTravis]

i had that problem once. not sure if its the same but i opened up the electronics and put a little contact spray in there, while doing that i noticed a bad solder so i redid that and the problem went away.

 

[JoshAckerley]

before you try to fix the electronix in your bass try trouble shooting other things first. Like the cable you are using, try another to see if its the cable. What is the amp youre using, a tube amp or solid state?

 

[BassistForJesus]

Solid state amp. Tried two different mogami cables. Same result....

 

[Thomas Kievit]

Is it a non-USA model? In that case it could be cause of the bad electronics.

MTD non-USA basses have terrible preamps and pups, many MTD owners replace them. If you have the money, do the same thing!

 

[scubaduba]

Is it a non-USA model? In that case it could be cause of the bad electronics.

MTD non-USA basses have terrible preamps and pups, many MTD owners replace them. If you have the money, do the same thing!

Terrible preamps and pups? Hmmm... not sure I'd agree with that.

To the OP have you tried adjusting the preamp gain in the electronics cavity? Try turning it down (counter clockwise) and see what happens.

 

[gzarate85]

before you try to fix the electronix in your bass try trouble shooting other things first. Like the cable you are using, try another to see if its the cable. What is the amp youre using, a tube amp or solid state?

^This.

Are you running into a DI? Or pedals? I had a similar problem a couple of weeks ago and it turned out to be the DI box. I've also had similar issues when a battery or cable to one of my pedals was bad.

Check those things first before diving into your bass.

 

[BassistForJesus]

Gentlemen/Ladies, its an American MTD 535.

I have not adjusted gain. In the 5 years I have had the bass I have never messed with gain.

No DI or pedals.

Thanks everyone. I wrote to Mike Tobias. Hopefully he provide a diagnosis.

 

[groooooove]

could be a number of pre-amp things..

any one bad connection could do it... good luck finding it

t

 

[sps500]

If I may ask ..is it a constant distortion or intermittent? I had a problem a couple of months ago.. In the end it was the power strip.. I think they say its quite common .. A bad ground. Maybe you could try that? Good luck with trouble shooting.

 

[gzarate85]

Did Mike Tobias get back to you? Or we'e you able to figure out the problem.
Curious to know what was wrong.

 

[Sav'nBass]

Terrible preamps and pups? Hmmm... not sure I'd agree with that.

To the OP have you tried adjusting the preamp gain in the electronics cavity? Try turning it down (counter clockwise) and see what happens.

Me neither.. I have two Korean MTDs and they both have decent electronics.. but it looks like the OP did the best thing by contacting Tobias......

 

[BassistForJesus]

Sorry it took me so long to reply.

The preamp was dead and had to be replaced.

 

[.BumeStik.]

Glad you got it figured out. Hope it sounds Great again.