Low output from bass?

[Suezee]

I have a Sterling Ray34 by MM and having to turn volume & gain up on amp to a ridiculous level to get heard. Thought it was the amp but have since tried a friends amp which he uses in his band. Same thing happens. Have to turn up gain & master for my bass to be heard and the VU meter needle barely moves  meaning putput fron my bass is very low. The VU meter needle shows good output from my friends bass and he has gain & volume set way way lower and its loud. Ive tried several brand nee batteries, checked leads theres no crackling from jack or anywhere else to suggest loose wiring. Stumped so any advice would be appreciated

[Hellzero]

Turning on the volume knob on the bass? 🤔😂

[Suezee]

1 hour ago, Hellzero said:

Turning on the volume knob on the bass? 🤔😂

Always one 🙄

[neepheid]

Despite the somewhat sarcastic delivery, Hellzero is not wrong in the philosophy - back to basics.  So, the volume is up full, the EQ (on the bass) is set flat, and you've tried a fresh battery, correct?

 

[Suezee]

12 minutes ago, neepheid said:

Despite the somewhat sarcastic delivery, Hellzero is not wrong in the philosophy - back to basics.  So, the volume is up full, the EQ (on the bass) is set flat, and you've tried a fresh battery, correct?

 

Did you read my post? Brand new batteries tried and of course I check the volume is up full & my EQ is flat once Im plugged in.

[Cornwall Steve]

14 hours ago, Suezee said:

I have a Sterling Ray34 by MM and having to turn volume & gain up on amp to a ridiculous level to get heard. Thought it was the amp but have since tried a friends amp which he uses in his band. Same thing happens. Have to turn up gain & master for my bass to be heard and the VU meter needle barely moves  meaning putput fron my bass is very low. The VU meter needle shows good output from my friends bass and he has gain & volume set way way lower and its loud. Ive tried several brand nee batteries, checked leads theres no crackling from jack or anywhere else to suggest loose wiring. Stumped so any advice would be appreciated

In 2023 I bought the very same bass. Initially it was fine and I enjoyed it for what it was. After a year I noticed the volume output was diminishing. Tried to rectify it in the only way I knew how. I changed the battery, changed the amp, changed the guitar lead, checked volume settings on guitar and amp, and fiddled with the other amp controls (like the Gain). All to no avail. I began to suspect wiring or jack socket so off it went to the Luthier. Came back with no defects found. I hung on to it through the past few months but eventually gave up and decided to move it on. It sold a few days ago. Nice enough bass in many ways (I especially enjoyed the smooth neck coupled with the maple fretboard) but I wouldn't buy another.

[neepheid]

24 minutes ago, Suezee said:

Did you read my post? Brand new batteries tried and of course I check the volume is up full & my EQ is flat once Im plugged in.

 

Yes, I did read your original post.  Your original post said nothing about the EQ on the bass itself.

 

Go fix it yourself then, you can naff right off with the attitude.

[HeadlessBassist]

Just one question... Why would you have the EQ on the bass set flat? Surely you have a preferred setting/settings on the bass that you always use? 🤔

 

To be fair, I always had similar issues with EB instruments. Even my Classic Sabre & Big Al 5 had that issue. It just never cut through properly. The only MM product I've not had that issue with is my current 95 Stingray with the Aguilar Pickup and Preamp. 

 

 

[Suezee]

Just now, HeadlessBassist said:

Just one question... Why would you have the EQ on the bass set flat? Surely you have a preferred setting/settings on the bass that you always use? 🤔

 

To be fair, I always had similar issues with EB instruments. Even my Classic Sabre & Big Al 5 had that issue. It just never cut through properly. The only MM product I've not had that issue with is my current 95 Stingray with the Aguilar Pickup and Preamp. 

 

 

Of course I have preferred settings on my bass for certain songs so it stays flat until I change to that setting.

The problem is now resolved...its the battery clip not connecting tight enough on one of the terminals

[HeadlessBassist]

24 minutes ago, Suezee said:

Of course I have preferred settings on my bass for certain songs so it stays flat until I change to that setting.

The problem is now resolved...its the battery clip not connecting tight enough on one of the terminals

 

Ah good, Glad you sorted it in the end