I have a bass with active pickups, and the volume randomly changes from loud to quiet (it's not the amp, ive tried with different amps and it still happens)
can I fix it at home or should I take it to a shop?
I don't think its the battery, ive changed the battery
7 comments · 73% upvoted · other discussions
I have an issue with the stacked mids pot on an active Sire, which emits screaming howls if the frequency selector ring is moved while there is any active boost to mids. Everything else is working fine. Don't think there's much you can do at home except applying contact cleaner to the pot or replace the whole preamp.
I had a similar issue with my bass.
In my case it seems like the volume pot was faulty (maybe an internal short).
If you don't know how to analyze these things, take it to a professional. If the problem is not in the preamp, it's probably relatively simple.
Professional bassist with 30+ years of experience here. The symptoms you are describing are not how a normally-functioning electric bass operates. Volume changes should come as the result of knob settings on either the bass or the amplifier, or from playing dynamically. I always recommend that quirks or problems get serviced by an expert technician as soon as possible. Otherwise they make it a challenge to practice or play regularly.
Find a Pixies tribute band. Problem solved.
Seriously it could be a dozen different things, and you haven’t given enough info to help diagnose the issue. Go through some simple troubleshooting steps and report back…
Start with using a different cable. That’s most likely the issue.
Have you tried a different instrument into amp?
If not, go through everything thoroughly and consistently, go slow and try to recreate the problem and figure out why it’s happening, nothing is truly “random”
Plug in and test- does it happen when you move or wiggle the cable or the the jack? If so it could be a loose wire at the jack, an easy fix but let a shop handle it
Does it happen if you gently push on the pickups? Could be bad wiring at the pickup or the pickup itself. Definitely take it to a shop
its not the cable
I haven't tried a different instrument into the same amp, but this has happened with multiple amps with the same bass, I'll go through and test later thank you
If you tried multiple amp, it is probably the instrument. Try getting the wiring schematic for you bass and try to see if everything is properly connected.
I had a similar problem with my bass, it was the stereo jack that has worn out. Changed it and solved the problem
Could be a flaky connection. Remove the battery, spray the output jack contacts with contact cleaner and plug in and take out a cable a few times.