NBD and it has no output. RESOLVED!!!

[dhoffman12585]

New Squier deluxe dimension V arrived today and after a quick once over and tune, plugged it into my amp and nothing. It must have something coming out as it did register on my polytune. Unplugged the lead and tried my Jag IV, all good, amp and cable are fine.

Tried replacing the battery and no difference, barely any sound at all on full volume. I also Tried turning all the knobs in all directions.

How much troubleshooting would you do on a new bass? Anything else I should try before sending it back?

Thanks,
Dave

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

Before we discuss how far we will troubleshoot the real question is: is the bass a player? If so, I would be doing everything I could to rectify the issue. This may involve taking a discount and getting a repair. If the bass isn't anything special then I would return it and try again after trying new cables (maybe a new amp).

Just to sum it up, the bass does have output. Your tuner picks it up and the amp is getting a signal, just a very weak one, correct? You have tried a new battery and verified the rig to work so the issue is certainly somewhere within the onboard electronics. I am guessing the pickups are reasonably close so my guess is on a cold solder or something making a poor connection internally. I am, admittedly, not very certain on this.

 

[dhoffman12585]

Yes, like put your ear right in front of the speaker weak.

 

[dhoffman12585]

I checked the pick up height and they seem very low, especially compared to my Jag. Not sure the correct height for the big candy bar humbucker type.....

 

[ZenG]

Try wiggling the instrument cable plug around in the bass output jack when you have it all plugged in and amp turned on.

aaand...amp volume switch is turned up to 3 or 4 for starters?

 

[/\/\3phist0]

Make certain the cable is fully inserted into the Jack some new jacks can be a bit tight.

 

[Maxdusty]

Sounds like something got jostled inside the bass (probably one of the wires to the jack) and solder connection became partially detached.
I'd be more apt to return it if you're not going to be out the shipping charge.

 

[dhoffman12585]

Ya, the amp cable/socket was the first thing I thought of, but it's quiet, even when twisting.

Measured all the pick up distances. All the poles are flat, not sure if they can be individually adjusted or if it matters. Here are the results:

B - 4mm
E - 7mm
A - 8mm
D - 5mm
G - 3mm

 

[Spidey2112]

New Squier deluxe dimension V arrived today and after a quick once over and tune, plugged it into my amp and nothing. It must have something coming out as it did register on my polytune. Unplugged the lead and tried my Jag IV, all good, amp and cable are fine.

Tried replacing the battery and no difference, barely any sound at all on full volume. I also Tried turning all the knobs in all directions.

How much troubleshooting would you do on a new bass? Anything else I should try before sending it back?

Thanks,
Dave

It's under warranty... Don't void it.

 

[MMiller28]

I'd check the Volume knob

 

[ZenG]

Make certain the cable is fully inserted into the Jack some new jacks can be a bit tight.

I have one bass that if I fully insert the plug so it's flush= no sound.
If I back it off a sixteenth of an inch = perfect.

been meaning to get in there and have a look at it....

 

[dhoffman12585]

I'd check the Volume knob

I know it works, when plugged into the polytune it stops responding when I turn the volume down and starts responding again when I turn it up.

I'm afraid to open it up and check connections in case it will void the warranty.

 

[Aidenn7]

take it back to where you got it. don't even mess with it. or you'll void the warranty

 

[Aidenn7]

try a few of them and pick another one don't trust a GC tech. just return the turd,

 

[ThuzzleFump]

Yeah, it's part of the deal that a new instrument is expected to work. Just return or exchange it. They'll need to fix it anyway, then sell it as a refurb. Since you paid for a new instrument, get a new instrument.

 

[MCF]

Fit, finish and playabity would have to be perfect for me not to return it for a replacement.

 

[interp]

I had a similar problem with a very high end bass. Very low output, no obvious cause. I was about to send it back to the manufacturer when I noticed that two or three of the little clamps that hold the 9-volt battery were bent over and the terminal was not making full contact. I used a needle nose pliers to bend the the little metal parts to their correct position and voila! the bass worked perfectly.

It might be worth checking.

 

[el_Bajo_Verde]

Before we discuss how far we will troubleshoot the real question is: is the bass a player? If so, I would be doing everything I could to rectify the issue.

There's no way for him to find out if the bass is a player, since it has no output. It's new, so he hasn't played it yet.

 

[Dave W]

I'm afraid to open it up and check connections in case it will void the warranty.

Unless there is some sort of seal over the cavity, taking out a couple of screws and looking isn't going to void the warranty. Just use the correct screwdriver and be careful.

There's no way for him to find out if the bass is a player, since it has no output. It's new, so he hasn't played it yet.

Not sure if srs. You can easily play a bass for a few minutes unplugged and see if it's a dud or not.

 

[Hounddog409]

New Squier deluxe dimension V arrived today and after a quick once over and tune, plugged it into my amp and nothing. It must have something coming out as it did register on my polytune. Unplugged the lead and tried my Jag IV, all good, amp and cable are fine.

Tried replacing the battery and no difference, barely any sound at all on full volume. I also Tried turning all the knobs in all directions.

How much troubleshooting would you do on a new bass? Anything else I should try before sending it back?

Thanks,
Dave

What was the date code on the "New" battery? I have seen batteries on store shelves that were dated over 5 years old.

Mack sure that new battery is really a new battery.