1994 stingray output

[mavafamusic]

How do I measure the output of the pickup?
It seems to sound a little softer compared to my 65 precision and 78 4001.

Peter.

 

[oli@bass]

dB meter of any recording device does what you want.
However, it does not really measure "percieved" loudness.

I have a hard time to imagine that an active StingRay will have less output than any passive bass. There are two things to check:

1.) If it is a 2 band EQ model, it could be that the battery is dead and the bass is actually working in passive mode (if it is a 3 band EQ model, there wouldn't be any output at all)

2.) Pickup height, or rather, the distance of the pole pieces to the strings. It does have a huge impact on actual output. I'm not exactly sure about the physics here, but it could be something like the output energy goes linear with distance difference to the square. Or the like. As said, a couple of millimeters are really audible, and if I think about those badly set up 'Rays that have their pickups flush with the pickguards and rather high action, you'll have low output.

 

[mavafamusic]

oli@bass, thanks for your input.

The bass is a 1994 3 band eq model in red with the standard black pickguard.
I notice the volume is lower when I play through my trace elliot ah600 smx.
The input on the amp has 3 led.s that show the input level when the input gain control is turned up and the bass is played. The first led is green (increase input level)and lights up when the input gain is at level. The second led is yellow(input ok) and fades in and out when the bass is played. The third led is red(overload) and lights up when the input is to high. This can happen if I slap the bass.
My other basses are able to overload the input. The stingray does not no matter how high the input gain or how hard I play.

The bass action is a tad high but the pickup is also high maybe not high enough.

I will try it later today.

Thanks again
Peter.

 

[oli@bass]

Are you using the same inputs for the passive and active basses?
AFAIR those TE have an active and a passive input. Passive normally lowers the singal by about 10dB.

 

[oli@bass]

OK, regarding the correlation of pickup distance to the string and output, I found this info on the web. It's from someone who is a luthier and bass builder by profession:

The closer the pickup is to the string the greater the output but this goes up exponentially so if you make the gap half as much the output can be up to ten times not just twice

That's exactly what I meant. An adjustment of 1-2 mm can already make a huge difference.

Let us know what you find out!

 

[mavafamusic]

Yes I do use the active and passive but I we look at the pickup.

The g string also sounds a little more softer so my pickup is not flat with the body.

Thanks again.