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Post subject: Jazz Delux Fretless sounds distorted on low end
Posted: Mon Jun 17, 2013 2:52 pm
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Hey yall.

Bought this lovely bass used and am wondering if I need to replace the pickups or the electronics because when I turn up the low end on the bass I get a distorted buzz in the sound (and not in a good way!).

Anyone ever have this problem?


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Post subject: Re: Jazz Delux Fretless sounds distorted on low end
Posted: Mon Jun 17, 2013 3:00 pm
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if it's active and you are overloading the input on your amp then it's going to sound like what you describe-- some amps have a ten db reduction push switch for that reason or it could be labeled as an active passive switch. There are many reasons that you could have the problem you are having. It's not easy to pin point something like that on a one dimensional forum.
Others will respond.

Post some pics- I'm sure everyone would like to see your bass. It's what we do!! HA! Bass voyeurs!


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Post subject: Re: Jazz Delux Fretless sounds distorted on low end
Posted: Mon Jun 17, 2013 4:09 pm
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Could be your amp, if you have a gain and a master control, you may be pushing it too hard. If that doesn't help, try your eq (if you have one) or adjust your tone settings. My Kustom is fussy with different basses, with my fretless I get some nasty sounds that none of my other basses produce.


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Post subject: Re: Jazz Delux Fretless sounds distorted on low end
Posted: Mon Jun 17, 2013 6:02 pm
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stroker vance wrote:
if it's active and you are overloading the input on your amp then it's going to sound like what you describe-- some amps have a ten db reduction push switch for that reason or it could be labeled as an active passive switch.


Yes - remember that if it is active, then "0" is usually in the middle, not all the way up. This goes for volume, as well as the EQ controls.

Also, try with fresh batteries - that's the cheapest thing to try!

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Post subject: Re: Jazz Delux Fretless sounds distorted on low end
Posted: Mon Jun 17, 2013 6:08 pm
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Two Questions: 1. Amp make and model please?
2. Is the buzz present when not playing a note? Or are only the played notes distorted?

A Fender Deluxe Jazz Bass is an active instrument. Some Fender actives (mostly the USA ones) will have a passive/active switch on the instrument, usually a toggle switch but sometimes a push button, not sure about whether or not there is a passive/active switch on yours as some models have them and some don't.

If you are trying to use it with an amp that doesn't have an active input or an input pad (the previously mentioned db cut switch) you will have to use the volume control on the instrument to reduce the output level of the instrument or switch the instrument to passive mode if it has a passive/active switch. Otherwise you are overloading the amp's preamp.

If using in active mode with an amp designed for an active then what you describe can also be a sign of a dying battery, cured by replacing the battery. Usually the battery is in the small compartment with 2 screws on the back of the body.

If it sounds good until you turn the bass up it could be that the amp isn't capable of handling all the bass the preamp can generate. This is especially true on small bass practice amps (and a sure bet if you are trying to use a guitar amp as a bass amp which is never a good thing to do.) Try it with a different bass amp that is set up for an active bass with either a dedicated active input or has a db cut switch next to the input jack.

If it is still buzzy after replacing the battery and trying it with an active capable bass amp then let us know that also.


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Post subject: Re: Jazz Delux Fretless sounds distorted on low end
Posted: Mon Jun 17, 2013 6:43 pm
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You're supposed to plug into the low gain input of the amp, or additional preamp when using most active basses.


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Post subject: Re: Jazz Delux Fretless sounds distorted on low end
Posted: Mon Jun 17, 2013 11:07 pm
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brotherdave wrote:
not sure about whether or not there is a passive/active switch on yours as some models have them and some don't.


There's no post-2010 fretless Deluxe.

The bass in question is the older, all-active 22-fret pre-2010 Deluxe without the preamp bypass switch.

Post-2004 fretless Deluxes sported abalone face dots in addition to the fretlines, a feature which was not present on models produced between 1997 and 2001.

We need a couple of pictures to determine if that fretless Deluxe is a post-1997 or post-2004 model.


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Post subject: Re: Jazz Delux Fretless sounds distorted on low end
Posted: Tue Jun 18, 2013 4:34 pm
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Welcome to the forum. Let us know what is up with the issue.


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Post subject: Re: Jazz Delux Fretless sounds distorted on low end
Posted: Tue Jun 18, 2013 9:05 pm
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hit and run?


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Post subject: Re: Jazz Delux Fretless sounds distorted on low end
Posted: Tue Sep 10, 2013 11:42 am
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Thanks for all the replies! Sorry so long to respond, I got caught up in life. This thread has been very enlightening! I had no idea how fussy this ax would be.

Ok, so first thing is first, the instrument:

Your guitar was made at the
Corona Plant (Fender), USA
in the Year(s): 1997 - 1998
(via http://www.guitardaterproject.org/fender.aspx)

No abalon face dots supports this, I guess.

Secondly, yes the problem occurs even with a brand new battery.

When it comes to the amp, I don't currently own one myself, so I'm constantly playing through random amps. Yes, sometimes I have the problem sometimes I don't. Now I understand why.

I first noticed the issue when I plugged into my computer. I have an M-Audio Delta 44 with a preamp (Break Out Box). First I thought it was the preamp, so I went directly in but still had the issue....until I did what @hieronymous suggested and put all knobs on the bass to the middle. Voila! Buzz is now gone when I play :)

I've yet to play on an amp today, so I will definitely write back after my experience. I have just been using my other bass for the past few months so this issue has been on the backburner. Thanks again to everyone who replied, you've all been very helpful!

zak


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Post subject: Re: Jazz Delux Fretless sounds distorted on low end
Posted: Wed Sep 11, 2013 11:54 pm
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If it's a 97/98 model it does normally sport the infamous JS-designed single pole stack 'buckers.

Image


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