SUB Bass issues (music man)

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by Chudhole, Jan 13, 2013.


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  1. Chudhole

    Chudhole

    May 28, 2012
    Well, my musis man sub bass is now unplayable. At random when paying at stage volume it distorts and farts out on the E string. I've only had it for a few months and this distortion seems to be growing worse. I've lowered the pick up as far as I can. I'm sure its a problem with the pre amp.

    I'm kind of bummed/pissed. This bass sounds amazing, and is a pleasure to play. But I can't have it farting out notes. I play a lot of fast 8th notes, so this random "distorted e burp" is not acceptable.

    Money is tight, so I'm not really up for paying to have the electronics replaced on a less than six month old bass.

    Now I'm back to my ibanez. In the end, my used $150 ibanez is more reliable than my music man. ***?
     
    Chudhole, Jan 13, 2013
    Chudhole, Jan 13, 2013
    #1
  3. hdracer

    hdracer

    Feb 15, 2009
    Elk River, MN.
    Have you tried a new battery?
     
    hdracer, Jan 13, 2013
    hdracer, Jan 13, 2013
    #2

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  6. rhopper

    rhopper

    Feb 28, 2009
    San Antonio, Texas
    The battery would be my first guess. I know you said randomly, but some amp rigs at stage volume can start to fart out as the gig goes on as a result of the drivers getting hot.
     
    rhopper, Jan 13, 2013
    rhopper, Jan 13, 2013
    #3
  8. j.kernodle

    j.kernodle

    Nov 23, 2008
    Charleston, SC
    if the battery doesn't fix it, try it into a different amp to rule out the amp. you can also try backing off on the bass boost on the instruments preamp(bass frequencies use up a LOT of headroom) if your amp has one, try the lower gain input on your amp head(my EBMM Sterling, would fart out the passive input on any GK head I'd plug it into). if all else fails, and it's a new bass, check the manufacturers policies on warranty service.
     
    j.kernodle, Jan 13, 2013
    j.kernodle, Jan 13, 2013
    #4
  10. bassfart

    bassfart

    May 5, 2008
    Battery. Running the preamp with everything dimed kills the battery faster.
     
    bassfart, Jan 13, 2013
    bassfart, Jan 13, 2013
    #5
  12. 4stringfiend

    4stringfiend

    Jan 15, 2012
    SF Bay Area
    I would also recommend raising your middle and higher frequencies. When I get farting sometimes if I re EQ to give little bass and more cutting I get the clarity back. Do you play pick or fingers?
     
    4stringfiend, Jan 13, 2013
    4stringfiend, Jan 13, 2013
    #6
  14. Chudhole

    Chudhole

    May 28, 2012
    Guys..great responses.

    The battery: I hadn't thought of that, though since its running otherwise it didn't occur to me..I will try a swap.

    I ran my active ibanez into the exact same set up and had no issues. (Granted its preamp is nowhere near as hot).

    I did try switching to the active input on the head, and taking my flange out of the chain, and I even tried messing with the eq (on the head and bass) because I thought I was crushing my 2x10 celestions.
     
    Chudhole, Jan 13, 2013
    Chudhole, Jan 13, 2013
    #7
  16. jlepre

    jlepre Supporting Member

    Nov 12, 2007
    Parsippany, NJ
    jlepre, Jan 13, 2013
    jlepre, Jan 13, 2013
    #8
  18. eyeballkid

    eyeballkid Supporting Member

    Jul 19, 2009
    wes virginny
    also, don't run the bass knob on the sub more than about 2/3rds.. it puts out ALOT of lows and if you dig in you're gonna overdrive the preamp of your amp and get all farty!!
     
    eyeballkid, Jan 13, 2013
    eyeballkid, Jan 13, 2013
    #9
  20. Bobster

    Bobster

    Mar 27, 2006
    Austin, TX
    Definitely replace the battery first.

    Also, with Music Man-type basses, start with all your controls in the center and work from there. Boost or cut slightly to get the sound you're looking for. For example, I normally run with my bass up a little, by mids flat and my treble cut slightly.

    Typically when dropping the pickup, the side under the E and A will need be lower than the D, G side to get the output even.

    Best of luck,

    Bob
     
    Bobster, Jan 13, 2013
    Bobster, Jan 13, 2013
    #10
  22. Waterpilot

    Waterpilot

    Jun 13, 2009
    North of Seattle
    Battery was my first thought too.
     
    Waterpilot, Jan 13, 2013
    Waterpilot, Jan 13, 2013
    #11
  24. jlepre

    jlepre Supporting Member

    Nov 12, 2007
    Parsippany, NJ
    Oh and let's get something clarified. This is NOT a MUSIC MAN.
     
    jlepre, Jan 13, 2013
    jlepre, Jan 13, 2013
    #12
  26. eyeballkid

    eyeballkid Supporting Member

    Jul 19, 2009
    wes virginny
    if its the us made Ernie ball version I would say it is.
     
    eyeballkid, Jan 13, 2013
    eyeballkid, Jan 13, 2013
    #13
  28. Aznslappadabass

    Aznslappadabass

    Nov 27, 2012
    I had the same issue with my SBMM, check the battery first
     
    Aznslappadabass, Jan 13, 2013
    Aznslappadabass, Jan 13, 2013
    #14
  30. Chudhole

    Chudhole

    May 28, 2012

    It looks like there's a one year. I'm going to call the shop and get my exact purchase date..good call. I just don't want them to replace the stock parts withthe stock parts..I'm pretty sure there's an issue with the pots or pre amp or both.
     
    Chudhole, Jan 13, 2013
    Chudhole, Jan 13, 2013
    #15
  32. Bongolation

    Bongolation

    Nov 9, 2001
    California
    No Bogus Endorsements
    A six-month-old SLO SUB? Hardly. :rolleyes:
     
    Bongolation, Jan 13, 2013
    Bongolation, Jan 13, 2013
    #16
  34. eyeballkid

    eyeballkid Supporting Member

    Jul 19, 2009
    wes virginny
    well the original post only said he had it a few months, but not that it was new... could've been a "new to him" used sub... but yeah, the sbmm subs are not a "musicman" to me either.
    I see in his latest post its still a bass under warranty.
     
    eyeballkid, Jan 13, 2013
    eyeballkid, Jan 13, 2013
    #17
  36. Durockrolly

    Durockrolly

    Nov 26, 2012
    So. Cal.
    In this thread (starting with post 325) they address what I think is your issue. There is a solution a couple pages later.

    http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/sterling-music-man-sub-ray4-ray5-871370/index33.html
     
    Durockrolly, Jan 13, 2013
    Durockrolly, Jan 13, 2013
    #18
  38. yodedude2

    yodedude2 Supporting Member

    Nov 19, 2005
    rio grande valley, texas
    more random thoughts:

    pickup height adjustment needed?

    overdriven gain stage somewhere in the chain? i.e., does it distort with the eq set flat?
     
    yodedude2, Jan 13, 2013
    yodedude2, Jan 13, 2013
    #19
  40. Chudhole

    Chudhole

    May 28, 2012
    I cranked it down (and at intervals tested) no dice.

    I don't have an overdrive, there is gain on the amp head however I have very modest (like on a 4). Only one effect running, a flanger, and oddly enough, I have two of the same pedal. I suspected it at first, swapped in it's sister and it did the same thing. (I'm in love with the Ibanez CF7, it costs so little and does so much. So whenever I see 'em used for $20 or so I grab it.).

    [​IMG]

    In regards to the additional discussion about whether a Sterling Sub is a music man..

    LINK TO SUB Basses USA
     
    Chudhole, Jan 13, 2013
    Chudhole, Jan 13, 2013
    #20
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