bad preamp?

[Rich]

I just recieved a 1995 stingray from a dealer off ebay. The bass plays awesome, but the 3 band eq doesn't work at all, but the volume does, and after a little research found the bass to play even with the battery removed. Also, I have an active deluxe jazz, that is 5 times louder than this stingray. Is there anything I can check on this bass before I send it back to the dealer? They have told me they would fix it, and pay for shipping, but if I can fix it myself, I will.

[Figjam]

Sounds like maybe it was rewired to bypass the preamp? If you know anything about electronics , check it out yourself first, but if not, have a pro look at it.

[maddog]

Sounds like maybe it was rewired to bypass the preamp? If you know anything about electronics , check it out yourself first, but if not, have a pro look at it.

+1

[Bill]

This may be obvious, but is your battery dead? Sounds like it's something that hopefully a fresh battery will fix.

[Figjam]

If the battery in a EBMM dies, does it became passive or does it just not make noise? I was under the impression that it becomes silent.

[Bill]

I think once it's dead the bass becomes very passive. The volume works but not the tone knobs. The sound level is VERY low, even lower than a regular passive bass. At least that's what happens when I take my battery out.

[Figjam]

Thats...smart..didnt..think of..that..

In that case, definitely sounds like tahts the problem here!

[Dr Stankface]

Just played my SR4 and my SR5 without a battery.

Not a sound.

Andrew

[LowDownDave]

That's weird, cuz I too can play my SR4 without a battery, and I DO get sound, though obviously quieter without the preamp, and the volume control still works.

If your EQ isn't working Rich, I wouldn't automatically assume just because you put a new battery in there, there is something wrong with the electrics. Time and time again people discover that different sized batteries can effect whether good contact is made or not, and some people have had to CAREFULLY bend the battery connectors in the bass to get a better connection. I have to slip a small piece of folded paper behind the battery in my Stingray to get a good connection, and yet my Sterling is fine without it, and you might want to try different brands of batteries. Here in the UK I have to use Energizers, because despite the fact the factory in the USA ships these basses with Duracells, here in the UK I find our Duracells are actually too fat to fit in the compartment of my Ray (must be different sizes), and before I switched I had to use pliers to yank it out (NOT good)!

Try the simple fixes first before returning

[JB1]

+1 With Bill and LDD.

Start with the 'cheapest' fix first, then work upwards!

[todd4ta]

I recently bought an '89 Stingray off ebay. It was acting very strangely in the tone department, even with a new battery and all. I was pretty confident that the preamp was not working correctly.

I called EB customer service for an RA number, shipped her out and the preamp was replaced and return shipped the same day they got it (yesterday)!! I would like to see any customer service department, in any industry, anywhere top that. So, even if you end up getting the bass and it turns out there's a problem, you can be very confident that it can be taken care of quickly and easily.

[BigBallz]

I recently bought an '89 Stingray off ebay. It was acting very strangely in the tone department, even with a new battery and all. I was pretty confident that the preamp was not working correctly.

I called EB customer service for an RA number, shipped her out and the preamp was replaced and return shipped the same day they got it (yesterday)!! I would like to see any customer service department, in any industry, anywhere top that. So, even if you end up getting the bass and it turns out there's a problem, you can be very confident that it can be taken care of quickly and easily.

That is great c/s. I do wish some amplifier manufactures would take a lesson from Ernie Ball.