Schecter custom 4 bass underpowered?

[saltydude]

Hi guys & girls.
Total newbie to this forum & this is my first post.
My apologies is this is the wrong section to post this question but here goes.
So the title really says it all. I bought a Schecter bass & I really love the way it feels & how well it plays but it really seems to have a major power or (lack there of) issue.

It came with EMG HZ passive pick ups & I know thier not the best but after doing some searching on the net I decided to ask the people who know best. Bass musicians.

When I'm practicing at home with my practice amp there's no problems because I'm playing at low levels but everytime I get together with the band or play a gig I find myself just cranking my amp to the point the point of clipping levels. I find myself playing harder than nessesary to achieve the appropriate volume level. As a result my playing begins to become sloppy.
It seems like just about every other person that pluggs their bass into whatever rig I'm using, they have to turn the gain or their bass volume down. No issues. Plenty of power.

What the hell's going on?
Anyone have this problem?
Is it the pick ups?
Is there a pick up swap option?

~Salty

 

[kb9wyz]

New batteries would be my suggestion. It can't hurt and it's cheaper than new pickups. I had a Schecter with the same pups and never had problems until the batteries went low.

 

[FunkMetalBass]

Replace the battery first and let us know if it fixed anything.

 

[darkstorm]

Replace the battery and measure the distance between top of the pups and bottom of strings. If this is more then 3/16 inch you need to raise your pups. Besides losing volume pups also start haveing a weak sound to them when to far from the strings. My basses pups generally are within 1/8 inch or close to that from bottom of strings. Some pups sound even better when closer then that. For best to me volume and tone. Your issue does sound mostly like weak battery perhaps coupled with overly low pups.

 

[saltydude]

Well dudes.
This may only add to the confusion but---

I took the battery out & Hmmmm. It was a Rayovac Zink Chloride. It says on the package "Ideal for low drain devices" which I figured it was since the pick ups are passive & you wouldn't need Alkaline to run the little EQ board. Perhaps I was wrong.

After searching through my stuff I found a Duracell Alkaline which does have a slightly sharper sting on my tounge.
I put it in & it made a little difference. I took the battery out again & looked at the expiration date. March 2011. So it's obviously not a freshie.
I'm also at home & not about to travel tonight to the jam room to test it on my main rig. It very well could make a big difference there since my little practice amp at home is a joke of a little thing.

Also I'm aware of the proximity of the pick ups in relation to the strings & adjusted them accordingly shortly after I bought it. Witch is another indicator to me that I've been having this issue for quite some time.

I will definately pick up some new Alkaline Batts tomorrow & test them on my main rig.
I'll keep you all posted on this & thank you for the suggestions. In the mean time, keep em comming because for some reason I feel there's something else at play here.

~Salty

 

[darkstorm]

Rayovac batterys are pretty cheap and there qaulity likewise. They are common factory install batteries.

When you put new battery in either write date on it with a sharpie or on little peice of paper you tape to battery. That way you can peridically check for how long its been in the bass. Or of gots seperate battery comp I'll sometimes just write date on little peice of paper I lay on top of the battery. I normally change mine about once every 4-6 months. 5-6 months as norm even if battery drain hasnt affected tone more then minamilly. I only use durecell alkalines, everready if those arent available.

 

[saltydude]

Rayovac batterys are pretty cheap and there qaulity likewise.

I concurr. I learned that the hard way. I wouldn't recommend them especially the Zinc Chloride ones.

OK. So I installed a Duracell Alkaline battery & it made a real difference. However I'm still not impressed with the electronics overall. It still seems to lack good power.

So here's my little list of complaints about this bass.
The EQ is quite reactive (in a bad way) & preferes to have a small tolorence in certain ranges. In other words you kind of need to keep it in a certain spot to sound right.
It also will pick up fairly decent feedback (again in certain ranges) as if to say it may not be shielded all that great.

The neck is VERY sensetive to different atmospheres. When I go someware I usually take it out of the bag & let it sit for 15-20 minutes before playing.
Also seasonall truss rod adjustment is mandatory.

When I restring the bass the tuners have a good amount of movement to them so cocking them to the naturall position the string direction would be pulling them then tightening from the back is a good idea. Otherwise they will move as you play & tune.

Other than that the bass feels & plays great. It doesn't sound bad either.

Thanks again all!!!!!