Linus27 Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 My passive ESP Jazz bass has a very low volume output compared to any other bass I own or have owned. It has a set of Bartonlini pickups which sound amazing but the volume is so quiet. I have tried adjusting the pickup/string height but it did not make that much difference. Is there any other way to gain more volume? Different pickups? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 Turn up the input gain on your amp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary mac Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 Those pups aren't usually quiet are they. Think I would try another set of pups in the first instance or at least get the barts checked out. Have you tested them with a meter? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linus27 Posted December 30, 2013 Author Share Posted December 30, 2013 [quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1388411299' post='2321663'] Turn up the input gain on your amp. [/quote] Then I would have to keep adjusting the gain when I swap basses over. Don't have the problem switching between other basses, just this one is much quieter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linus27 Posted December 30, 2013 Author Share Posted December 30, 2013 [quote name='gary mac' timestamp='1388415822' post='2321722'] Those pups aren't usually quiet are they. Think I would try another set of pups in the first instance or at least get the barts checked out. Have you tested them with a meter? [/quote] Never actually considered if something was wrong with the pickups. They have been on the bass since 1989 and only really noticed it recently as I have been switching between this bass which is fretless and a fretted bass live. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grangur Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 Is the string to pup distance similar on both basses? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deepbass5 Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 1989 is a long time, could try getting a magnet and see if they are both same polarity pointing up. Do both pickups attacked or repel. Also is the output quieter in the mid centre position. Just reminded myself of this on a recent upgrade, if you have low volume when centred and then each pickup gets noticeably louder as soon as you move off centre position one pickup is wired arse about face. Other than that, must be the actual winding of those pups just low output in comparison. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KiOgon Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 It's worth trying a new wiring kit before lashing out on new pups, IYWMO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HowieBass Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 Might be worth giving all the pots and the jack socket a clean with contact cleaner spray to make sure there's no surface oxidation/crud causing a problem too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grangur Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 [quote name='KiOgon' timestamp='1388420814' post='2321785'] It's worth trying a new wiring kit before lashing out on new pups, IYWMO [/quote]+1 There's not much in a pup to go wrong. I'd look for an answer in the set-up or dirt etc; as above Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grissle Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 If its active look for a trim pot in the circuitry. Or maybe the other bass is just overly hot? Just more to think about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grangur Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 [quote name='Grissle' timestamp='1388444226' post='2322165'] If its active look for a trim pot in the circuitry. Or maybe the other bass is just overly hot? Just more to think about. [/quote] This is passive. Stupid question here but how does a bass become hot? How can he make this s one hotter to be the same? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grissle Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 Is the other bass Active? And/or does it have humbuckers? Just using big overwound humbuckers can have a lot more output than vintage voiced Jazz pickups. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Starr Posted December 31, 2013 Share Posted December 31, 2013 Get a little mono mixer like this [url="http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/3-channel-mini-microphone-mixer-l71ak"]http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/3-channel-mini-microphone-mixer-l71ak[/url] others available including ones in stomp box cases. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linus27 Posted December 31, 2013 Author Share Posted December 31, 2013 Thanks for all the tips and info everyone. I think a new wiring kit is the best step to take first. Both volume pots seem to be working as they should, comparing it to my Fender Jazz. The tone is only making a subtle difference moving from both extremes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted December 31, 2013 Share Posted December 31, 2013 Sorry I didn't realise that you needed to swap quickly between basses of different output levels. TBH I've always found J type basses to be a little low when it come to output compared with other passive basses. If we're doing a gig with other bassists using my rig I always have to whack up the gain for anyone with a Jazz Bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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