SUB Bass issues (music man)

Have you tried a new battery?

 

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.

 

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.

 

Battery. Running the preamp with everything dimed kills the battery faster.

 

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?

 

This bass has a warranty right?
http://www.sterlingbymusicman.com/support/warranty-information

 

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!!

 

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

 

Battery was my first thought too.

 

Oh and let's get something clarified. This is NOT a MUSIC MAN.

 

if its the us made Ernie ball version I would say it is.

 

I had the same issue with my SBMM, check the battery first

 

A six-month-old SLO SUB? Hardly.

 

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.

 

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

 

more random thoughts:

pickup height adjustment needed?

overdriven gain stage somewhere in the chain? i.e., does it distort with the eq set flat?