output volume (Epic Bass)

[Dave Sep]

As a new owner of an 1998 Epic bass, I have a question about the output volume. Being an active bass, I initially plugged it into the active input of my amp (Ashdown ABM 600) and it sounded very weak and the input level meter was barely moving. It sounded much better when the active/passive switch on the amp was in the passive position, the level was still lower than the passive bass I used as a comparison (Gibson EB4). I changed the battery in the bass for a new one and that made no difference, so the battery that was in the bass was OK.

If this is normal behaviour, then no problem, but if it's something that needs attention, I'd like to know so I can organise that.

[jacko]

Have a look inside the electronics cavity. the Epic has one blue trim pot. It may be turned down. Turn it fully clockwise and you should get more volume than you'll ever need. (mine is about 3/4 the way clockwise so it's on a level with my MK)

Graeme

[Dave Sep]

Thank you, I'll take a look at that.

[Dave Sep]

Have a look inside the electronics cavity. the Epic has one blue trim pot. It may be turned down. Turn it fully clockwise and you should get more volume than you'll ever need. (mine is about 3/4 the way clockwise so it's on a level with my MK)

Graeme

Thanks, Graeme, the trim pot was just below half way, I opened it to 3/4 and it is much better now.

If anyone knows what the default position for the pre amp trim pot in an Epic bass, though, I'd be interested to know what it is.

Thanks, Dave

[keith_h]

I don't know that there is any default. I think my Alembics came set about halfway when delivered new but I have adjusted them to all have the same output level without overdriving my Navigator preamp.

[jazzyvee]

Just out of curiousity could anyone with a new from the factory series bass give me an idea of what the trim pots are set at when the bass was delivered. I think mine are set too high and overdriving the input section of my bass rig. I don't want them too low so that I have to open the input gain on my bass rig pre-amp too high and introduce grit but high enough so that I'm able to get the best clean output from my rig.

[FC Bass]

Can you wait +/- 2 years? I might be able to answer your question by then :-)

I do the same as Keith, mine are about half way.
I think that's a good starting point, just sit down with bass and amp and try to find the best balance. Adjust all others accordingly :-)

[tx196059]

Hey Jazzy, I think they are set at the midpoint, but you will have to wait +/- 6 months before my delivery. Not sure if you can read this, but this is the info sent with an old Series.

[jazzyvee]

Perfect i will adjust all my basses and see if that is what was causing the speakers to buzz when turned up.

[StephenR]

Jazzy... another thing you can try is leaving the trimpots on your bass alone for now and bypassing your preamp. The Series basses have enough gain in the internal preamp to drive a power amp so if you plug directly into the power amp it removes your Alembic pre from the equation. If the sound isn't distorted going directly into the power amp then there is either a gain mis-match when using the Alembic pre or an issue with the preamp itself. If the Alembic pre has a headphone jack you could also try listening to your bass through the preamp without the power amp. Too bad you already sold your other power amp leaving no way to A/B the new one with the old.

 I still tend to think the issue is not going to be your speakers but something within the signal chain. The Barefaced 10" speakers are designed to break up a bit for a vintage sound and will distort if pushed, the 12" speakers in your cabinet were designed for clean output while using tons of power. I get a bit of grind from my roundwound strings but no distortion from my Barefaced 12's. Good luck!

[mica]

There's really no default position for the gain trimpots - it's about halfway, but we don't calibrate it - we fully expect every player to make individual adjustments as they see fit.

[Dave Sep]

There's really no default position for the gain trimpots - it's about halfway, but we don't calibrate it - we fully expect every player to make individual adjustments as they see fit.

Thank you for the definitive answer. My Epic's trimpot was about halfway and I have now increased it a little and it sounds better through my rig.