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? on AEB bass...

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by georgestrings, Dec 6, 2005.

  1. Dec 6, 2005 #1
    georgestrings

    georgestrings Inactive

    Nov 5, 2005
    I just got a Dean Playmate AEB delivered from Musician's Friend yesterday, and I've got a question about it... It appears to me that the outgoing signal from it is VERY weak - shouldn't it be atleast as strong as the output of my P basses(both passive, BTW)??? There's no preamp or battery on this AEB, so that isn't the problem.... It gives out a signal, but it's ALOT weaker than those from my electric basses - I would think that being a large dreadnaught type, if anything it would have a stronger signal than a typical electric bass... The downside is, it actually sounds pretty decent unplugged, and plays pretty well - especially for as cheap as it was... I'm a little hesitant to return it, for fear that the next one won't sound as good unplugged, or play as well... Anyways, I'm wondering if there's something wrong with the electronics on this thing(which I suspect) - or a significantly lower output signal is the norm for AEBs??? Thanks,



    - georgestrings
     
  2. Dec 6, 2005 #2
    Dan1099

    Dan1099 Dumbing My Process Down

    Aug 7, 2004
    Michigan
    Turn up the volume on the onboard preamp? Replace the battery?
     
  3. Dec 6, 2005 #3
    Bruce Lindfield

    Bruce Lindfield Unprofessional TalkBass Contributor Gold Supporting Member In Memoriam

    Dec 13, 1999
    Brighton, England, UK, Europe
    .


    :meh:
     
  4. Dec 6, 2005 #4
    velvetkevorkian

    velvetkevorkian

    Aug 23, 2004
    Glasgow, Scotland
    turn up your amp?
     
  5. Dec 6, 2005 #5
    Geezerman

    Geezerman

    Nov 28, 2004
    Chicago, IL
    It might be the wiring, I had this problem before to. Open it up and check all the connections. If you see any bad connections re-solder or you can have a local guy resolder it all for $20.
     
  6. Dec 6, 2005 #6
    Bruce Lindfield

    Bruce Lindfield Unprofessional TalkBass Contributor Gold Supporting Member In Memoriam

    Dec 13, 1999
    Brighton, England, UK, Europe
    Since there was no "location" for the original poster - how do you even know where local is !!?? :meh:
     
  7. Dec 6, 2005 #7
    Dan1099

    Dan1099 Dumbing My Process Down

    Aug 7, 2004
    Michigan
    Whoops.
    Open it up and look for a cold solder joint, maybe?

    I'm really suprised there is no preamp for this bass. If it's a piezo pickup, as most AEBs are, how is it buffering the piezo signal?
     
  8. Dec 6, 2005 #8
    Bruce Lindfield

    Bruce Lindfield Unprofessional TalkBass Contributor Gold Supporting Member In Memoriam

    Dec 13, 1999
    Brighton, England, UK, Europe
    Very badly - from what we hear!! ;)
     
  9. Dec 7, 2005 #9
    georgestrings

    georgestrings Inactive

    Nov 5, 2005
    Anyone else??? I guess my main question is:

    Do AEBs usually have the same signal out strength that a typical passive electric bass does???

    This Dean plays pretty well, and sounds better unplugged than I thought it would - so I really don't want to return it - especially if it's current electrical performance is typical of AEBs... I never had an AEB before, so I'm not sure how strong of an output signal they're supposed to have...



    - georgestrings
     
  10. Dec 7, 2005 #10
    Dan1099

    Dan1099 Dumbing My Process Down

    Aug 7, 2004
    Michigan
    Yes, most AEB's have plenty of output. They also all have preamps. So in short, I don't know whether this is just a design flaw with no buffer/preamp, or a problem with your bass.
     
  11. Jun 8, 2006 #11
    Tennwalker

    Tennwalker

    Jun 8, 2006
    Loosen ur strings take out the saddle make sure no sawdust or anything under it. Sand the saddle very lightly until it is perfectly or very close to being flat and reseat on the bridge i bet that solves ur problem.