Ibanez K5 low output

[Dropzone]

I have an Ibanez K5 fieldy, and compared to my Warwick the output is very low.

So my first question is, does anyone else have one and agree they generally have a low output?

Second is, what is a regular output and how do you measure it?

Third, with the presumption it is the pickups, what would people recommend for metal?

Ta

Mike

[ambient]

Is it active ?

[Dropzone]

Yep, but even with a new battery the output is low. I suppose it could be the circuitry!!!!

[ras52]

I have a similar thing with my Ibanez GWB35... I just turn it up!

[Cosmo Valdemar]

[quote name='Dropzone' timestamp='1478008970' post='3165945']


Third, with the presumption it is the pickups, what would people recommend for metal?


[/quote]

Do you mean with regard to replacement pickups?

Edited November 1, 2016 by Cosmo Valdemar

[ambient]

Is there a gain control on the pre ?

[Graham]

I used to have one of these, with the pre-amp flat it was quite low output, far lower than the Squier Precision I had before it.

[bubinga5]

Pickups. First port of call.

[gs_triumph]

I used to have an active Ibanez atk200 that's output was significantly quieter than my passive Ibanez Blazer. After a bit of discussion on here conclusion was its just a low output bass. No way to turn up the on-board eq. Turn up the amp gain.

Edited November 2, 2016 by gs_triumph

[charic]

You could always get a boost pedal or a pre-amp

[RockfordStone]

i used to have an ibanez EDB605 which was active and the output on that was low. i sold it in the end cos it lacked any guts.

[Thunderbird]

Quite common on some ibby models to have low output most people live with it, move the bass on or rip the electrics out and put new guts in an artec pre is a nice cheap upgrade and they are really gutsy for the price

[Dropzone]

I love the bass and it plays really well but the output is shockingly low. I cant get it to distort on my GK MB 500, whereas my Warwick is a dirty beast. Maybe I need pup and circuitry swap, It has 5 nobs and I turn them all up full.

[Dropzone]

I do have a warwick rock bass vampire sitting about doing nothing. Will this be an easy swap?

[Thunderbird]

[quote name='Dropzone' timestamp='1478086509' post='3166602']
I do have a warwick rock bass vampire sitting about doing nothing. Will this be an easy swap?
[/quote] depends on the number of controls on the basses and the size and shape of the pres if they have the same arrangement it should be pretty easy but may not help as I think the mecs in warwicks are proper active pickups but maybe I am talking rubbish lol

[blue]

If I was playing metal I would daisy up 2 Orange tube rigs, one bass and one guitar rig with several fuzz, distortion and octave pedals.

Any decent bass would work.

Blue

[Cosmo Valdemar]

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1478128256' post='3167075']
If I was playing metal I would daisy up 2 Orange tube rigs, one bass and one guitar rig with several fuzz, distortion and octave pedals.

Any decent bass would work.

Blue
[/quote]

Sir clearly has a very limited grasp of metal.

[Dropzone]

The output is so low that it doesn't have the guts it should... I will have to have a think

[RockfordStone]

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1478128256' post='3167075']
If I was playing metal I would daisy up 2 Orange tube rigs, one bass and one guitar rig with several fuzz, distortion and octave pedals.

Any decent bass would work.

Blue
[/quote]
when i played metal i used an ampeg svt with 4 x 10, a singular distortion pedal and a fender jazz bass..... a metal tone like you described would just be messy in the mix

[Thunderbird]

In fairness to blue I have heard of that being done a fair bit in the 70s from older players but maybe that was more rock than metal in those days. I play mostly metal and like it through my bass rig with just a bit of beef to it if that makes sense

[Graham]

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1478128256' post='3167075']
If I was playing metal I would daisy up 2 Orange tube rigs, one bass and one guitar rig with several fuzz, distortion and octave pedals.

Any decent bass would work.

Blue
[/quote]
That would sound awful in the vast majority of metal bands. Would sound fantastic in a doom/sludge/stoner act, but would be completely inappropriate for most metal bands.