Marno Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 Hi all. This is my first time posting on bc so apologise if I've posted in the wrong place. I could do with some regarding pickups. I recently bought an Ibanez btb406qm and everything about it is great except the sound I can get from it (a bit like its being put through a fuzz box all the time) I think this can probably be solved with some better pickups but im not sure which would be the right ones to get, I've heard good things about Bartolini and EMG for 6 string basses but any advice would be very welcome. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CamdenRob Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 Hi and welcome Different pickups give very different tones... What sort of music are you playing and what type of tone are you after? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naetharu Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 (edited) I can't really offer you any advice since pick-up choice is very personal indeed but I would like to point you in the direction of Bass Culture as once to add to your list of possibilities. They're hand-made to order and I was very impressed with them when I tried some out a little while back. They also offer nice little wooden covers which might be pretty cool on a BTB if you happen to like that kind of look. The web site is atrocious however, but don't let that put you off - the pick-ups are top notch. [url="http://www.bassculture.de/"]http://www.bassculture.de/[/url] Also, just worth asking - are you sure that the distorted sound is coming from the pick-ups and not elsewhere in the signal chain? It would be a shame to pay out for expensive replacements only to find that it was your pre-amp/pedal/amp/cab that was giving you the trouble. I only ask as when I tried out a BTB I found it had a really nice clear tone so it surprises me to hear that you're getting these issues. Edit: Might be worth returning it to the store and asking them to check it over or try another bass of the same model first assuming you got it new? Edited October 21, 2015 by Naetharu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hubrad Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 Also, have you tried fresh batteries? Active circuits usually distort when the battery is low. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 [quote name='hubrad' timestamp='1445434668' post='2891449'] Also, have you tried fresh batteries? Active circuits usually distort when the battery is low. [/quote] My first thought too.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marno Posted October 21, 2015 Author Share Posted October 21, 2015 (edited) Thanks for all your suggestions, I think I'll try changing the batteries first as I bought second hand and the plastic is still on the battery cover suggesting no battery change. (Edit) changing the batteries has done it, now it sounds great. Thanks Edited October 22, 2015 by Marno Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue Posted October 26, 2015 Share Posted October 26, 2015 Use the pick ups that came with the bass. Blue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Dare Posted October 27, 2015 Share Posted October 27, 2015 Mr Blue he speak da troof. Reputable manufacturers don't put rubbish p/us in their instruments, despite what after market sellers (who don't have anything to gain from our changing p/us, of course...) try to claim. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmo Valdemar Posted October 27, 2015 Share Posted October 27, 2015 [quote name='Dan Dare' timestamp='1445963330' post='2895744'] Mr Blue he speak da troof. Reputable manufacturers don't put rubbish p/us in their instruments, despite what after market sellers (who don't have anything to gain from our changing p/us, of course...) try to claim. [/quote] Not strictly true... A lot of basses in the cheaper price range can be improved with better pickups or preamp. Not always the case of course but it's silly to assume otherwise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cameltoe Posted October 27, 2015 Share Posted October 27, 2015 I was about to wade in with 'change the batteries', glad to see its solved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Dare Posted October 28, 2015 Share Posted October 28, 2015 Cosmo. Read what I wrote - "Reputable manufacturers don't put rubbish p/us in their instruments". The question was about an Ibanez. I'm not stating that all El Cheapo guitars have good p/us... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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