Series I Distortion

[hammer]

Over the past 2-3 days I have been experiencing a significant amount of distortion from my new/used Series I. I've checked out my rig with other basses and the sound is as clear as a bell so it's either in the electronics of the Series I or the 5-pin cable I would think (I wouldn't think the DS-5 would be involved but what do I know).  
 
The distortion is more obvious in some frequencies than others, but appears to be there all of the time and is apparent whether playing through either PU.
 
Any thoughts as to how to track down the source of the problem would be appreciated.

[sonicus]

HI Brian ,  
The output of your Series I is higher ( hotter ) then that of other instruments. It is possible that you are overdriving the input stage of your bass rig. If there is a passive / active input selection always use the active input. If you have a pad switch button set it for a minus gain setting. OR , if your rig has a master volume out potentiometer and an input gain potentiometer set the master out higher then the gain input. The key here is to build gain structure conducive to a clean signal to your ears !  It is very possible that your Series I is a healthy critter and just being who she is correctly !  
 
  Let me know how that works ,  
 
Wolf

[keith_h]

Have you tried exercising the pots and switches?  
 
If you use the battery through the 1/4 inch jack do you get the same results? If not it could indicate a bad 5-pin cable or less likely something in the DS-5. I have had some noise from my DS-5R where I needed to exercise the stereo/mono switch since I never use it. If nothing changes then you can be pretty sure it is internal to the bass.  
 
I would also open her up and reseat the connectors on the board in case one came loose.  
 
Keith

[StephenR]

Also think you should check the amount of gain set on the pickups themselves. The Series electronics can be set up with enough gain to drive a power amp without using a preamp. If the pickup gain is too hot it it is probably causing the input of your preamp to clip. Try setting the gain to the lowest setting and see if the distortion goes away.

[hammer]

I'm going to get some batteries and try it through the 1/4 inch jack tonight and will also  exercise the stereo mono switch. Right now its about the only switch, knob, jack I've missed.
 
My rig is composed of 2 F1-Xs and an SF-2 powered by a Yamaha P5000.  I'll look in to the gain setting but with the current set-up would not think that's a problem unless it's with the PUs (which are relatively new versions installed by a previous owner).  I'll check in to that tonight.

[sonicus]

( double post correction)
 
(Message edited by sonicus on February 25, 2016)

[sonicus]

Brian,
           Try just the two F1-X preamps to the power-amp first and bypass the SF-2 Super Filter before you try anything else. Set the power amps gain higher then the pre-amps gain . See how that sounds.  The SF-2 Super Filter can be added again but might have to be dialed in , to  the gain structure.
 
Wolf

[hammer]

Sonicus
 
Will do

[lbpesq]

Brian:
 
I'd suggest you try only one fix at a time.  The first thing I would do is try the 1/4 cable before I changed anything else.
 
Bill, tgo