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New Les Paul Jr. Bass - Problem with Volume.

Jaycat

Jaycat

Supporting Member
Sep 8, 2018
408
841
#1
Just unpacked my new Les Paul Jr Tribute bass and was dismayed at the lack of volume I'm getting out of it. There is definitely not enough there to play in a combo setting.

I A/B'd it with my Ibanez Talman and the Gibby seems to be putting out maybe half the volume of the Ibanez. FWIW, playing thru a Promethean P20-H amp.

What's going on here? Your thoughts are welcome, and thanks in advance.
 
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#5
Mine has every bit as much output as my active Basses, perhaps there is another issue in your case?

Definitely try raising the pickup, to do this loosen the 2 screws securing it a bit. The closer the magnets are to the strings the stronger the signal coming out of the bass will be.

Also if yours was set up like mine (high action, looser truss rod) it could use some bridge and neck adjustment. Doing this should bring the strings a bit closer to the pickup without having to raise it.
 
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#7
vid1900 said:
Show us the wiring if raising the pickup does not fix it.
Click to expand...

I tried raising the pickup but it didn't seem to help much. I don't know if this is a clue, but the incremental volume increase between 9 and 10 is much higher than 1 thru 9.

Here's a pic of the innards. I assume the advice to raise the pickup meant 'raise the pickup cover?' Cause I didn't really see a way to raise up the pickup itself. I tried sticking a piece of rubber in there but that didn't help either. I am thinking it's off to the shop tomorrow, but let's see what you guys think.

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#8
That foam acts like a spring, so when you loosen the screws on the cover, the whole pickup should rebound upwards (if not, add 2 strips of foam, like weatherstripping)

Show us a pick of the wiring on the pots (just take the pickguard off and flip it upsidedown)
 
#10
If you're using the coil tap setting, you'll notice a decrease in the overall volume.

Also, work those pots in. Twist them a bunch and you may notice the volume gets better. Sometimes new pots don't work the way you expect until they're broken in.
 
#12
There could be a problem with the tap switch on the pot. I have a 2017 EB where the split switch on the neck pickup would cut out and need to be wiggled to get the sound back. Since it was purchased used and without any warranty I just replaced the pot/switch and all was good.

If yours was purchased new I’d bring it back where you bought it for replacement or (your call) a warranty repair.
 
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#15
Jaycat said:
Just unpacked my new Les Paul Jr Tribute bass and was dismayed at the lack of volume I'm getting out of it. There is definitely not enough there to play in a combo setting.

I A/B'd it with my Ibanez Talman and the Gibby seems to be putting out maybe half the volume of the Ibanez. FWIW, playing thru a Promethean P20-H amp.

What's going on here? Your thoughts are welcome, and thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Output jack?
 
#16
Jaycat said:
Thanks for the input everyone. I'm taking it in to my local shop tomorrow and see if it's an easy fix. Don't really feel like returning it, but I will if I have to.
Click to expand...
Will they swap it out for another identical one? I did that with mine... The first had some wolf tones going on when I did chords in a certain area of the neck... It probably could have been sorted out with a pro setup but I decided I'd rather have a fresh one right or of the box. I had the bass for 19 days and they just swapped it for me on the spot... We opened three boxes and they just let me choose whichever one I wanted. The factory setup was much better on the one I decided to take home too!
 
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