Need Some Electronics Expertise

[Anthony Miller]

Built a fretless Jazz parts bass. Seymour Duncan noiseless SJ5 pickups through an Audere Pro JZ3 VB 4B preamp. When I plug it into my Aguilar DI pedal, I get low level static/buzz, but zero string sounds except an occasional thump if I whack a string. Plug it into my Markbass combo amp, and it’s just fine. I don’t know ANYTHING about electronics, except that I’m totally stupid about electronics. I’m kind of hoping there’s a smart bass guy out there who will see my description and know immediately it’s something about not grounding correctly or something. Thanks in advance. You are all good looking wonderful people.

 

[RobbieK]

Sounds like the DI is faulty. Perhaps it simply needs a new battery?

 

[Anthony Miller]

Sounds like the DI is faulty. Perhaps it simply needs a new battery?

Good thought, but it works fine with my other bass (active Stingray)... ??

 

[Matt Liebenau]

You’re not using a TRS or stereo cable with the DI are you? I played with a lady who played harp (no, literally a harp) with a piezo pickup and her DI broke and I let her use one of mine. At first it didn’t work until I realized she was using a stereo cable which won’t make the battery connection in that DI box but it also won’t make the battery connection on the bass preamp unless it has a specific switching jack which the Ernie Ball might have.

 

[Anthony Miller]

Sounds like I need to figure out what a TRS cable is!

 

[Wasnex]

Sounds like I need to figure out what a TRS cable is!

TRS stands for Tip Ring Sleeve.

Most instrument cables are TS (tip sleeve)

See the difference.

 

[Anthony Miller]

You’re not using a TRS or stereo cable with the DI are you? I played with a lady who played harp (no, literally a harp) with a piezo pickup and her DI broke and I let her use one of mine. At first it didn’t work until I realized she was using a stereo cable which won’t make the battery connection in that DI box but it also won’t make the battery connection on the bass preamp unless it has a specific switching jack which the Ernie Ball might have.

That was it! You’re a wizard, Harry! Switched that cable out for one with only one “stripe” and it worked!! Now I just gotta figure out why my noiseless pickups are noisy AF. THANKS!!

 

[Matt Liebenau]

Glad it worked out. The noisy part does sound like a grounding issue.
And thanks @Wasnex for the illustration. I guess I should include more pictures.

 

[Anthony Miller]

Glad it worked out. The noisy part does sound like a grounding issue.
And thanks @Wasnex for the illustration. I guess I should include more pictures.

Your description was sufficient. A similar diagram appeared on the first page of google search results. Thanks again for your help. And for yours too, @Wasnex.