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Sterling S.U.B. Ray4 on board preamp

Gaddiel Vazquez

Gaddiel Vazquez

Jun 3, 2017
89
24
South Padre Island, TX
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#1
Hi everyone I'm looking for a new 2 band eq preamp for my mint green sub ray 4 that has a wonderful sound and it's very comfortable for me and I can play all kind of music, but since some weeks ago I get a terrible sound when I move the volume pot, especially if I want to up the volume because on instant I hear a little buzz or even the volume it gets turned off and I should move a little bit the pot to get the sound again, this happens only with the volume pot, treble and bass pots are okay, could you recommend me a preamp that works fine and better than the actually? I don't want to repair the actual preamp because I feel that the problem will going to continue, I prefer to change the preamp for a better one (seymour duncan, aguilar, etc) In fact the bass has 2 year warranty with GC :laugh:, I bought the bass on january 30 :bassist:
 
#2
Before I go ahead and replace the preamp, I'd shoot some contact cleaner in that pot...it sounds like there's a fair amount of dust or something inside there. If that doesn't cure it, replace the pot. If that doesn't cure it, then you can start looking at preamps.
 
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#3
Zoobiedood said:
Before I go ahead and replace the preamp, I'd shoot some contact cleaner in that pot...it sounds like there's a fair amount of dust or something inside there. If that doesn't cure it, replace the pot. If that doesn't cure it, then you can start looking at preamps.
Click to expand...
In fact I've putted contact cleaner in the volume pot hole but the problem continue, I think the on board preamps installed on these basses aren't the best quality, or what do you think?
 
#7
Nordstrand makes a 2 band MM preamp. $160.00, includes pots and is pre-wired. I just ordered one for my SUB4. can't take the volume issue inherent with the stock preamp on older models. love the look and playability of the bass, but the volume/distortion issue has always been there.
 
#8
I put a Retrovibe Stinger in mine, which is a very low price copy of the original pre-EB circuit. However it sounded far too dull compared to the original so I swapped it back.

Just saying as a lot of aftermarket Stingray preamps are also modelled after the vintage style 2-band, and if they are anything like the Stinger then you might miss that top end sizzle!
 

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