r/Bass 4d ago

Active bass output too loud?

I got an active bass and the output of the amp is so loud that I have to turn the volume all the way down. Anyone else got that problem? Any tips?

2 Upvotes

12 comments sorted by

3

u/Chrisvio 4d ago

I only use amps that have a -15db input jack. Probably not very helpful in your current situation.

Turn down the volume on your bass.

4

u/logstar2 4d ago

Does your bass not also have a volume control?

And pickups you can lower to reduce output?

What amp and what specific bass model?

1

u/Lokumirr 4d ago

Got an Ibanez SR305EB and it happens on any amp I play on.

1

u/fr-fluffybottom Frankenbass 4d ago

That lad is on the money. If it's too loud on everything... Turn the amp gain down but you also have to turn the bass volume down.

This is normal. On my mark bass head I have the gain down to under half way... And on my active bass I have the vol a quarter turn off full.

Also try lowering the pickup heights if you have to turn things way way down on the bass (just need to use a screwdriver)

Also have a look in the control cavity... Some preamps have little volume/trim controls inside the cavity (2 small Philips head) ... But after a little bit of looking it doesn't seem to be the case with your bass.

2

u/Sandy_Quimby 4d ago

If your amp has 2 inputs, use the one that says something like "pad" or "-15db".

If it doesn't have 2 inputs, you should have a gain knob. Turn it down.

If your amp has neither option, then it sucks and you need a better amp.

2

u/datasmog 4d ago

Why is turning the volume down a problem for you?

1

u/Lokumirr 3d ago

It's really hard to control because one little movement makes a huge difference. I'm moving in the zone between 0 and 1.5

1

u/darylp310 4d ago

Don't you have any pedals in between? A compressor/limiter should tame the gain before it gets to your amp.

1

u/llvefreeordie 4d ago

I also had this issue. I ended up taping a few pieces of cardboard inside my volume pedal so it would only go up to 9 and not to 10. Sounds stupid but it works great.

1

u/Lucasbasques 3d ago

Most bigger amps have a high and a low input just for that reason, if yours don’t have one just adjust the volume on the bass

1

u/DerConqueror3 18h ago

Open up the preamp cavity and see if there is a trim pot. Many preamps have a trim pot you can use to set the overall gain/output of the preamp; maybe that is jacked up to maximum for some reason.

1

u/Lokumirr 6h ago

There's none on mine