My Sterling Stingray Stopped working

[SchareyBass]

I got a sterling by music man ray4 stingray for $349 and a couple weeks ago it stopped working and at first i thought it was the amp that was bad. just to make sure i tried the amp with my squier jaguar bass, which also has a humbucker pickup in it and it worked just fine. i don't know if i need to get a new pickup for it or just a new bass in general.

 

[msb]

Probably as simple as a loose wire on the output jack. The electric components of most basses is surprisingly simple , and easy to troubleshoot.

 

[ThudThudThud]

Battery?

 

[beatdatthang]

I hate to be captain obvious, but did you check/change the 9V battery? The Ray is an active bass and if the battery dies you get no output.

If it ends up being the battery, a little tip is, don’t leave the bass plugged in. The battery will continuously drain, even when you’re not playing it, if it is plugged in because it turns on the preamp.

 

[SchareyBass]

i did check the battery and it still worked although i would have to go to a hardware store and get another battery to check again

 

[Matt Liebenau]

I’m not sure what you mean by the battery “still worked?” The best test is a new, known good battery. If that doesn’t help (is it one of those battery boxes where you can put the battery in backwards?) the next most likely is a wire connection or the output jack if it’s a barrel jack.

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

i did check the battery and it still worked although i would have to go to a hardware store and get another battery to check again

If you checked the battery by removing it from the bass and using a multi-meter or battery tester, then that may NOT a valid test. An unloaded (not connected to anything) battery may show a higher (possibly normal) voltage. Batteries must be tested in circuit, running the equipment they are intended to run, to know if the battery really has enough charge to properly run the equipment.

Best advice I can give is to always have a new spare battery on hand and change to a new one at the first sign of trouble, or before an important gig. Some types of batteries don't work as well as others. Always use the type of battery recommended by the manufacturer. If they spec Alkaline, use Alkaline.

 

[mike buzzetti]

USE your TONGUE , test ! you will KNOW if it is still good ( actual low load test lol )

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

USE your TONGUE , test ! you will KNOW if it is still good ( actual low load test lol )

I hate to admit how many times I've done that, in a pinch.
It helps to have a well calibrated tongue.

 

[roccobladr]

Could also be a loose wire to the battery compartment. That happens often on my EBMM stingray

 

[mike buzzetti]

I hate to admit how many times I've done that, in a pinch.
It helps to have a well calibrated tongue.

the best test IMO !! a fully charged 9v will zap you ! Humm I wonder what the resistaNCE is on your tongue ?? gotta measure it now LOL ! well its over 2Meg ohms so no load !

 

[J Wilson]

Put a brand new battery in it. If that's not it, it's most likely a broken solder joint or wiring problem that would be simple and cheap to fix. I'd think you're a long way from a new pickup or bass.

When I worked retail, each new BOSS pedal included a 9v battery, and we'd occasionally 'tongue test' them, and they'd blow your hair out straight! We finally got out a meter and they all checked out at a very warm 9.5, almost 10 volts. We asked a Roland tech about it who told us they shipped them 'warm' to be sure the end user would get a good battery. Wheeee!!!

 

[Marko 1]

"i would have to go to a hardware store and get another battery"

That kinda freaked me out for a sec...

 

[Killing Floor]

USE your TONGUE , test ! you will KNOW if it is still good ( actual low load test lol )

This!!!
Only way to know for sure.

 

[logdrum]

This!!!
Only way to know for sure.

Wet nipple works too!

EDIT: NOT if you have a pacemaker. I think I will not do the tounge as well because there is that big blood vessel and nerve that goes straight to the heart that the tongue is in close vicinity, that is why heart attack symptoms may manifest in sensitive gums and tongue.

Harbor freight will give away multi-meters for free during their holiday sales.

 

[Egg250]

Mine did the same thing. If I inserted the TRS to one click I would have sound. If I fully inserted it...no sound. I took it to guitar center (where I bought it) for warranty work. The tech couldn't find anything wrong but it hasn't acted up since.

 

[Artman]

Mine did the same thing. If I inserted the TRS to one click I would have sound. If I fully inserted it...no sound. I took it to guitar center (where I bought it) for warranty work. The tech couldn't find anything wrong but it hasn't acted up since.

Why were you using a TRS (Tip-Ring-Sleeve) stereo cable on a SBMM bass that has a monophonic output jack?
Using a TRS cable would be the cause of such a problem.
You ought to use a standard monophonic TS cable on a SBMM Ray4.

 

[Egg250]

Why were you using a TRS (Tip-Ring-Sleeve) stereo cable on a SBMM bass that has a monophonic output jack?
Using a TRS cable would be the cause of such a problem.
You ought to use a standard monophonic TS cable on a SBMM Ray4.

Apologies. The instrument cable. Unbalanced.

 

[IamGroot]

I hate to admit how many times I've done that, in a pinch.
It helps to have a well calibrated tongue.

Yes, I have recieved complements on that and endurance many times. I push a 10 lb bowling ball up a 30 degreee incline 3 times a week to stay in shape.

 

[IamGroot]

A weak battery will lower the Mojo output.