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Question about output level

WayneP

WayneP

Oct 11, 2004
2,501
3,456
Corpus Christi, Texas
#1
Quick backstory: I find myself in a situation where I’m not satisfied with the electronics of a recently-acquired bass that I otherwise am very impressed with. Among other things, the bass has significantly lower output compared to my other active basses. Sure, my others have some variance among them, but nothing as drastic as this.

So, my question: What exactly determines output level? Would different pickups do the trick? Or would it require replacing the preamp as well?

For the record, the electronics is the active EMG BQC system with 40J-A1 pickups.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

Pedulla Club #45 Unique Arrangements of Hymns, P&W Standards, and Original Tunes
Administrator, Official Tobias Club #133
Administrator, Fretless Club #943
Big Cabs Club #23
My Basses
My Rig: Stage and FOH Friendly
Pedulla Club #45
 
#2
Assuming the same input, ie you're striking the strings as hard in each example, output level is pickup output x preamp gain, if any. It's also variable in 'apparent' loudness depending upon the base frequency response of the pre, and to a lesser extent the resonant frequency of the pickups. Sorry for the nerdy engineer answer, but it varies a lot.

Practical nerdy bassist also questions why it's that much of an issue. If I was gigging with multiple basses that had variable output, but I otherwise liked the tone, I'd look to adding another way of simply and quickly adjusting the gain structure of the system to compensate. I've seen grease pencil marks on the input gain knob on amps for differing basses to make the adjustment simple.
 
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#3
#4
WayneP said:
Appreciate the info! Trying to decide if I should change just the pickups or go with the full pre-amp replacement as well.

Big Thomas Sowell fan, by the way.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

Pedulla Club #45 Unique Arrangements of Hymns, P&W Standards, and Original Tunes
Administrator, Official Tobias Club #133
Administrator, Fretless Club #943
Big Cabs Club #23
My Basses
My Rig: Stage and FOH Friendly
Pedulla Club #45
Click to expand...
Turn the louder ones down to the same level as the quieter.
 
#5
@themickster That makes perfect sense of course. I’m replacing the pickups for other reasons (probably should have mentioned that!), and was wondering if I could expect an increase in level. Of course, now that I think about it, I guess it could get even lower – LOL.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

Pedulla Club #45 Unique Arrangements of Hymns, P&W Standards, and Original Tunes
Administrator, Official Tobias Club #133
Administrator, Fretless Club #943
Big Cabs Club #23
My Basses
My Rig: Stage and FOH Friendly
Pedulla Club #45
 

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