• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Problem with Spector NS Dimension 5

Mountainshaker

Mountainshaker

Feb 28, 2015
10
15
58
Tampa Bay
#1
BF8285C3-3754-4F96-B162-0E80FE42FC85.jpeg
I recently purchased a new Spector NS Dimension 5 from Ish Guitars. They did a great job with shipping and general handling of the order, no complaints about Ish.
When I got the the bass I spent several days learning the ins and outs and exploring all the lovely tones. I absolutely love this bass.
I was practicing this week through my Ampeg BA210 suddenly I start getting a buzz sound, like a fuzz pedal but not a pleasant fuzz. I immediately change cords, same. I bypass pedals (Radial Tone Bone and Boss tuner), same noise.
I plug into my DAW interface and the buzz is gone. I finish my practice thinking my practice amp has gone haywire.
Forward to last night I’m playing a gig through my big amp Svt7pro with 8x10 cab. It sounds great until middle of second set. The buzz is back and it sounds horrible. Finish the song. Switch to my Jazz bass and have no problems the rest of the gig. Now I’m utterly disgusted. New bass looks great sounds like hell, Unplayable!
This morning I try both basses through the practice amp. The Jazz sounds great the Spector sounds great …… for about 10 minute then the buzz is back.
Sent off a message to Ish of course they are closed on Sunday.
Any Spector NS Dimension 5 owners out there with a similar problem?
Am I over looking something?
 
#7
Lenny JG said:
Did you figure out what was causing that? I have a bass that does this
Click to expand...
It’d be where the battery is connected to the output Jack - the negative lead of the battery needs to be wired to the “ring” terminal of a stereo (tip-ring-sleeve) jack. When a cable is plugged in the sleeve portion of the cable shorts the ring and sleeve terminals, closing the circuit (connecting battery negative to ground) for the battery to begin powering the system. Sometimes it can get shorted out, so it’s always connected to ground.
 
  • Like
Reactions: KevInDaBassment, DJ Bebop, Spidey2112 and 2 others
#9
JParsons said:
It’d be where the battery is connected to the output Jack - the negative lead of the battery needs to be wired to the “ring” terminal of a stereo (tip-ring-sleeve) jack. When a cable is plugged in the sleeve portion of the cable shorts the ring and sleeve terminals, closing the circuit (connecting battery negative to ground) for the battery to begin powering the system. Sometimes it can get shorted out, so it’s always connected to ground.
Click to expand...
That makes sense.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DJ Bebop
#11
But, OP, I wouldn’t get too concerned about wiring just yet. I used to work in a music retailer, and this sort of thing would happen a lot - a bass that had been in stock for a little while and played a few times might have a battery that’s only on 1/4 capacity when it finally gets sold. Manufacturers use pretty cheap batteries too, they don’t last too long. In the end we would just put a fresh battery in active basses upon sale and let the customer know what to listen for when it would eventually run out.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DJ Bebop
#13
OP, I suggest you take your bass back to the store and have them look at the knobs and internal wiring. Something is likely wrong here. Also, take your 7 PRO with you and play for at least 30 minutes straight while at the store. Try to get the problem to happen again and go from there. That is a beautiful bass and YES, it would drive me nuts too!
 
  • Like
Reactions: DJ Bebop and Mountainshaker
#14
Lenny JG said:
Did you figure out what was causing that? I have a bass that does this
Click to expand...

JParsons said:
It’d be where the battery is connected to the output Jack - the negative lead of the battery needs to be wired to the “ring” terminal of a stereo (tip-ring-sleeve) jack. When a cable is plugged in the sleeve portion of the cable shorts the ring and sleeve terminals, closing the circuit (connecting battery negative to ground) for the battery to begin powering the system. Sometimes it can get shorted out, so it’s always connected to ground.
Click to expand...

Yeah, it was misconnected at the jack so that the battery circuit was always on.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DJ Bebop
#15
Given that the buzz only develops after you've been playing for a while, does suggest a battery issue, but since you said you've changed the battery each time, (with presumably no improvement?) then that sort of suggests that weak and or failing battery isn't the cause. (unless all the batteries you've tried are weak and or failing, but what's the odds?)

Does the bass have a passive switch to bypass the active circuit and if yes, does the buzzing still happen in passive mode? Electrical based problems are often a case of trying things until the solution is found. A faulty solder connection, or even a stray strand of wire or two, not enclosed in the solder joint, can cause constant or intermittent grounding issues.

Start with the most obvious possible causes, battery, battery connections to active circuit, jack terminal (mechanical operation and solder joints) active control settings, pickup wire connections to pots/switches, etc.

If you can take the bass back to the store you purchased it from, do that, if not, maybe take it to a reputable local tech/repair person, but communicate with the seller first so as to avoid any possible voiding of warranty issues, if someone else does something to the bass. Good luck.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DJ Bebop
#16
JParsons said:
But, OP, I wouldn’t get too concerned about wiring just yet. I used to work in a music retailer, and this sort of thing would happen a lot - a bass that had been in stock for a little while and played a few times might have a battery that’s only on 1/4 capacity when it finally gets sold. Manufacturers use pretty cheap batteries too, they don’t last too long. In the end we would just put a fresh battery in active basses upon sale and let the customer know what to listen for when it would eventually run out.
Click to expand...
Yes I’m aware of that but I’ve replaced the battery every time it’s happen. It makes no difference. But, that being said, I can plug it in the next day and it may work fine. It happens sporadically with a fresh battery or without.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DJ Bebop
#17
Durham52 said:
Given that the buzz only develops after you've been playing for a while, does suggest a battery issue, but since you said you've changed the battery each time, (with presumably no improvement?) then that sort of suggests that weak and or failing battery isn't the cause. (unless all the batteries you've tried are weak and or failing, but what's the odds?)

Does the bass have a passive switch to bypass the active circuit and if yes, does the buzzing still happen in passive mode? Electrical based problems are often a case of trying things until the solution is found. A faulty solder connection, or even a stray strand of wire or two, not enclosed in the solder joint, can cause constant or intermittent grounding issues.

Start with the most obvious possible causes, battery, battery connections to active circuit, jack terminal (mechanical operation and solder joints) active control settings, pickup wire connections to pots/switches, etc.

If you can take the bass back to the store you purchased it from, do that, if not, maybe take it to a reputable local tech/repair person, but communicate with the seller first so as to avoid any possible voiding of warranty issues, if someone else does something to the bass. Good luck.
Click to expand...
All good stuff thanks.
Yes fresh batteries don’t seem to make a difference. It is a sporadic thing. It can happen and go away or not happen at all for a couple days. I will definitely talk with Ish Guitars tomorrow.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DJ Bebop
#20
JParsons said:
It’d be where the battery is connected to the output Jack - the negative lead of the battery needs to be wired to the “ring” terminal of a stereo (tip-ring-sleeve) jack. When a cable is plugged in the sleeve portion of the cable shorts the ring and sleeve terminals, closing the circuit (connecting battery negative to ground) for the battery to begin powering the system. Sometimes it can get shorted out, so it’s always connected to ground.
Click to expand...

Erik Turkman said:
Yeah, it was misconnected at the jack so that the battery circuit was always on.
Click to expand...

Ah so basically just rewire how it's connected to my output jack?
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back