Distorted sound

[Standish]

Can anyone tell me please, why I suddnely get slightly distorted sound on my Singray 5, SN 55889? It happens when I hit the strings a little harder. I've replaced the battery but it's the same.

Standish

 

[cgworkman]

Many things come to mind...

The gain structure on your amp or preamp may be set to high. This could cause some distortion, etc.

Also, have you lowered your strings lately? Or maybe went with a heavier guage string? The strings themselves may be to close to the pickup causing a distorted, or clipped signal.

I'm sure some others here will have some more suggestions if these don't help.

Good luck!

 

[spectorbassguy]

I would guess the pre/channel gain is set too high on your amp. When I had an Ampeg SVT 3 Pro I was amazed at how low I had to set the input gain so it wouldn't clip. Music Man basses are so hot that I couldn't turn it past about 2 before the light would start coming on.

 

[Standish]

Thanks, guys. I'll look into it. I'll lower the pickup a bit.

 

[cgworkman]

I would guess the pre/channel gain is set too high on your amp. When I had an Ampeg SVT 3 Pro I was amazed at how low I had to set the input gain so it wouldn't clip. Music Man basses are so hot that I couldn't turn it past about 2 before the light would start coming on.

Yeah on my BBE Bmax, I can't get past 9 o'clock setting!

 

[Standish]

You were all right, I lowered the pickup a bit and had to set the gain on my Drawmer 1960 to 10 o'clock. Now the signal i s a bit low but the sound ic crispy and clear.