Active pickups on Sterling

[ray]

I have had a MM Sterling HS for quite some time and I still have difficulty with the active electronics in getting a stable sound. any suggestions? Has anyone changed out the pickups to passive on a Sterling?

 

[Duarte]

The pickups on the sterling are passive, only the preamp is active.

I doubt anyone would have changed the pickups out, as you won't find better ones.

What kind of sound are you getting?

 

[ray]

active

The sound I am getting is that there are many overtones when I pull off the strings and when I move around. Alot of times there is no margin for error if I slightly accidently hit a string unintentional that a passive bass usually doesn't pick up. thanks

 

[strummer]

Roll off some treble perhaps? Or, if it's in a band setting, just ignore it, it won't be heard foh...

 

[phatduckk]

ya the bass will bring out some of your mistakes. if your cab has a horn turn it off. that helps a lot.... and/or roll off some treble.

in general: start the EQ on the bass flat and do some minor adjustments from there. you'll find what youre looking for. the sterling HS is a pretty nice bass

 

[mammoth]

lower the height of the pickup a lttle and you may suffer less?

 

[silverburst]

Where do you have the volume knob on the bass set?

 

[maddog]

1. don't dime all the knobs. Maybe even turn the treble down or off.

2. try some heavier gauge strings or even some flatwounds.

3. work on technique.

suggestions in no particular order.

 

[five7]

Lower the pickup and roll off some highs.

 

[ray]

I have my treble and gain off on the bass, and real low treble on the amp. I am working on my technique via recording myself playing with a drum machine, that is how I hear all of the imperfections. I ordered a set of hyberd slinky's and will try them, with the horn off and lower my pickup. Thanks guys....

 

[RockinRayDuke]

Do you have this problem with any other active bass? I ask because from what I'm reading this sounds like you might have a bit of a technique problem with this bass for some reason.

Alot of times there is no margin for error if I slightly accidently hit a string unintentional that a passive bass usually doesn't pick up. thanks

This is why I ask the question. When was the last time you changed strings or had it set up?

 

[Big Poppa]

welcome back Ray!

 

[bovinehost]

welcome back Ray!

Well........amen.

And he's on the money with his assessment. A passive bass, especially if dialed in sort of old school, will forgive many, many sins.

An active bass, especially strung with rounds and played through a modern rig, will point out the things you've been doing wrong all along but never really heard.

(This may explain why I play flatwound strings.)

Jack

 

[Psycho Ward]

I do not think this is an issue with the bass.

 

[RockinRayDuke]

Good to be back, BP!

 

[Eggman]

Good to be back, BP!

Thread Hijack - Where you been Ray?

 

[bovinehost]

I think he said he was camping or something.

 

[RockinRayDuke]

Camping. Yes, that's it.

 

[tkarter]

OP listen to the old guys.

It is technique. But there is one little thing you didn't mention doing.

Do not dime the volume. Set any other knob how you like turn that volume knob (gain) down you will see maybe only a slight need to work on technique.

The first technique needs is an ear. You seem to have some of that since you are hearing the overtones.

Even a P bass can do what you describe.

tk

 

[silverburst]

Well........amen.

And he's on the money with his assessment. A passive bass, especially if dialed in sort of old school, will forgive many, many sins.

An active bass, especially strung with rounds and played through a modern rig, will point out the things you've been doing wrong all along but never really heard.

(This may explain why I play flatwound strings.)

Jack

That ain't worth 30 bucks, Jack.