/ Register

warwick electronics clashing with pedals.!

Discussion in 'Pickups & Electronics [BG]' started by merrygoround, Apr 9, 2012.

  1. Apr 9, 2012 #1
    merrygoround

    merrygoround Guest

    Jan 2, 2011
    hi everyone!
    Im having a bit of an issue with my set up. i have a warwick rockbass fortress with EMC active/passive pickups. like most switch-able basses you get a bit of a loud thump/pop if you switch it whilst plugged in. however, im having some issues using my pedals. i know most pedals are not designed for active pickups but i have an MXR M84 (bass fuzz delux) and a DigiTech bass synth wah. when my bass is set in active mode (like it should be) and i engage the MXR M84 i get the same thump as described before and when i engage the DigiTech i just lose all volume. Despite this it works fine when switched to passive.
    Hope someone can help me.
     
  2. Apr 14, 2012 #2
    merrygoround

    merrygoround Guest

    Jan 2, 2011
    can anyone help?
     
  3. Apr 14, 2012 #3
    bongomania

    bongomania Supporting Member Commercial User

    Oct 17, 2005
    PDX, OR
    owner, OVNIFX and OVNILabs
    How are the pedals powered--batteries, individual wall warts, daisy chain adapter, etc.?
     
  4. Apr 14, 2012 #4
    SGD Lutherie

    SGD Lutherie Inactive Commercial User

    Aug 21, 2008
    Bloomfield, NJ
    Owner, SGD Music Products
    It's a myth that pedals are not made to work with active basses. I use a bunch of pedals, including some vintage ones, with my active basses. Most modern pedals have high input impedances and work fine with active or passive basses. The proof in this is that you can use two pedals at the same time, and they are active feeding active.

    This sounds like an issue with the preamp in the Warwick.

    You should not get a loud thump switching into active mode on the bass. None of my basses do this. This is an indication that there is DC voltage present at the output. This might be from a bad coupling capacitor that is leaking DC current. Coupling caps are use to block DC and pass AC, which is what your signal is, both passive and active.

    I would take the bass to a qualified Warwick service center.
     
  5. Apr 14, 2012 #5
    merrygoround

    merrygoround Guest

    Jan 2, 2011
    pedals are powered from adaptors. thanks for the advice. I had a friend who is a guitar tech look at it but couldnt find anything, so now ill take it to a warwick servicer.
    cheers
     
  6. Apr 14, 2012 #6
    bongostealth

    bongostealth Supporting Member

    Jun 3, 2011
    Atlanta, GA
    The preamps in the Rockbasses are not that great. I would follow SGD Lutherie's advice and take it to a tech.