Help! Replacements for defective preamp and/or microphonic pickup ('96 20th Anniversary SR4)

[spkbri]

Hello, I'm writing this on the edge of a nervous breakdown and English is not my native language so please bear with me

Some years ago I've bought an used 20th Anniversary Stingray and it was a dream come true: my first Stingray, finally. It was perfect.
Then after 3 or 4 years I've stopped playing it much in fear of ruining it.

Recently, when I played it at home, I've noticed that the volume was particularly low (I have to turn off the Active switch on my audio interface) but I thought that it was normal, compared to my main bass which has a 18V preamp, so I didn't think much of it.

Recently though, I've noticed a "spring-y" sound when (even lightly) tapping on the pickup cover with my finger, or when plucking and immediately stopping any open string, and a lack of bass frequencies even when playing with everything boosted: the mid pot is practically a second volume and the treble is just "clank" sounds (I play with a low action so that's sort of expected).

I don't know if the problem is with the pickup or the preamp, and my technician is afraid to ruin something of value so he doesn't want to disassemble the pickup or the preamp.

My only hope then is to replace them with an accurate replica: what do you recommend?

I've found the Nordstrand MM4.2 for the pickup but I can't decide for the preamp
Unfortunately (or fortunately, seeing the recent events) I don't live in the US and I don't have access to so much stuff, market in Europe is quite limited for MusicMan stuff (and I hate it)

Thank you in advance

P.S.: Tomorrow I'll retrieve the bass and I will be able to record some clips to explain the problem better

 

[DrKev]

1) Have you emailed customer service?

@Rod Trussbroken @bovinehost @Golem How the stingray output compared to other active basses? Do electrolytic capacitors in 30 year old preamps ever need changing?

 

[spkbri]

1) Have you emailed customer service?

At first I was writing this in the textbox to contact the customer service but then I realized: "wait a minute... surely there's no original components from 30 years ago still; so I'm practically asking one company to recommend me stuff sold by other companies". So it didn't sound right to me and I chose to post here instead.
Do you think it would still be a valid question for the ernieball customer service? I can write to them no problem, I just didn't want to be inappropriate.


By the way the output volume from my 2012 Sterling By Musicman Ray34 is WAY higher, and it sounds fuller and it doesn't make that strange sound when lightly tapping the pickup cover. I remember when I bought the Stingray I compared the two and thought "ohhhhh, that's why they cost so much more...": it didn't sound at all like it does now, so something happened, I just don't know if it's the pickup or the preamp.
I did a visual inspection of the preamp and it looks like new, nothing blown or desoldered or explicitly wrong. I have a multimeter but I don't know what to measure

 

[tbonesullivan]

Definitely email customer service. They have all the schematics etc for stingrays in the past, which have not really changed much. Has basic maintenance such as cleaning the pots, changing the battery, cleaning the contacts, etc been done? It is possible that a solder joint has gone "cold" on the pickup.

 

[spkbri]

Definitely email customer service. They have all the schematics etc for stingrays in the past, which have not really changed much. Has basic maintenance such as cleaning the pots, changing the battery, cleaning the contacts, etc been done? It is possible that a solder joint has gone "cold" on the pickup.

Yes all the basic maintenance has been done by me and by a guitar builder.
Tomorrow I'm gonna record a small clip and also email the customer service.

In the meantime: assuming that I have to change the preamp, which would you all recommend? So that I can put aside the money

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

I suspect a power supply problem. Check the battery clip connections and all contacts on the output jack. When was the battery last tested/changed? I would replace the battery again anyway with a good brand. Batteries can do crazy things.

I would also contact Customer Service and describe the problem to them. They may have a suggestion. Also, if a new preamp is needed, they will probably have a suitable one in stock. Although you don't reside in the USA, they can advise you
as to obtain one from them.

 

[Golem]

1) Have you emailed customer service?

@Rod Trussbroken @bovinehost @Golem How the stingray output compared to other active basses? Do electrolytic capacitors in 30 year old preamps ever need changing?

Electrolytic caps in instruments ? Thaz a surprize to me ! Regardless of exact tech, I can say that NONE of my middle aged to elderly MM basses have lost anything over the years. My oldest is a 1988 3-band SR.

As to output comparison with other active basses, with no way to measure I feel that all brands that I use are approximately equal. The Warwicks might be a bit louder but MM, Fender, G&L, Ibanez etc all seem to be about equal in raw output.

As to the bass in question, the description of its symptoms seem to indicate that it needs a new PU. Id replace that first cuz its microphonic. Then if the output is still low Id go for a new preamp as well. But dont do both at once cuz the PU may be the whole problem.

Odd advice: If the "repair" involves Nordstroms or whatever, DO NOT DISCARD any failed EBMM components. Sell them as defective right here. Theres forum members trying to restore modified MM basses to original spec, and they cant buy OEM components unless they have failed components to trade in !!!

 

[spkbri]

Hi everybody, thank you dearly for your replies.
All basic checks have been done by me and a luthier and we've tried 3 different new batteries (and I've tried also the battery from my working Ray34)
I've sent a message to Customer Service detailing the issue.
I've also recorded a small clip:

While recording I've found that the sound can also be made by rotating the knobs through the center notch.
The second bass is my Sterling by Musicman Ray34. I've kept the input volume equal to show the difference in output volume, so when I change the bass please be aware that there will be massive clipping (because I have to disengage the padding for active instruments for the Musicman Stingray and so the Ray34 clips like hell because it works as intended)