iain_psb Posted November 26, 2017 Share Posted November 26, 2017 Hi all, So I have 3 basses, all of which are P’s. My issue is that my Mike Dirnt roadworn is the lowest output out of all of them. My 2003 MIM P is very loud and overly low end heavy (I didn’t even think that was possible!) The final bass seems about where I would like it and has a cheap powered by lace pickup in it. So I guess my question is, how do you all deal with varying pickup outputs? I love my Mike Dirnt and playing in a Green Day tribute band it seems silly not to have one. However, I played a gig last night and didn’t even use it due to the lack of output. Am I being naive in just looking at the pickups and should I be looking at wiring looms and more detailed components as well? Thanks in advance! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dazed Posted November 26, 2017 Share Posted November 26, 2017 Have you checked the pickup heights on them? Could be some tweaking to do there. Are they all passive ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iain_psb Posted November 26, 2017 Author Share Posted November 26, 2017 Yep, all passive. Didn’t think of pickup height so shall check that, however I think it’s more extreme than just that. Cheers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrevorR Posted November 26, 2017 Share Posted November 26, 2017 (edited) Once you've optimised the pickup heights, get a switcher pedal that allows you to adjust the different inputs so you can balance the basses output against the Mike Dirnt and present your pedals/amp with a consistent input level. Alternatively get a clean boost pedal for the Dirnt to lift its output to match the other basses... That's what I did when I was gigging a high output active Wal alongside a passive Aria SB700 - brought the output of the Wal down so that when I hit the switcher pedal the volumes were consistent. Edited November 26, 2017 by TrevorR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted November 27, 2017 Share Posted November 27, 2017 Has the Mex P got a Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounder in it, as from the description that`s what it sounds like to me. If so I`d look to more "standardise" the Mex to make it a backup to the Dirnt, as bein in a Green Day tribute surely that has to be the go-to bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ead Posted November 27, 2017 Share Posted November 27, 2017 (edited) As TrevorR said, I use one of these as I'm often using an active and a passive bass during an evening. Not the cheapest thing but very solid and great quality. http://www.radialeng.com/bigshotio.php Edited November 27, 2017 by ead Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KiOgon Posted November 27, 2017 Share Posted November 27, 2017 Best test the pick up output by taking the pick up wires directly to the jack socket, eliminate the pots etc. and see if it's better or same. Cheerz, John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrevorR Posted November 28, 2017 Share Posted November 28, 2017 This is what I use, also not cheap but bom proof and really great quality... https://www.andertons.co.uk/lehle-3at1-sgos-switcher-with-midi-for-three-instruments-(stereo)-to-either-amp-or-tuner-3at1?LGWCODE=3AT1;56375;6335&gclid=Cj0KCQiAjO_QBRC4ARIsAD2FsXMY_jKDziEgHfiEvxZvh4zcANQDnJRJinlJBAqfjey-bX7PxjgQ3XQaAqzOEALw_wcB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted November 28, 2017 Share Posted November 28, 2017 The tone and volume will be affected by the design of the pickup. For instance, extra windings will boost volume. I'm guessing you just want to equalise the volume between the basses? A multi channel switcher would do that while maintaining the tonal characteristics of each bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westenra Posted November 28, 2017 Share Posted November 28, 2017 15 hours ago, TrevorR said: This is what I use, also not cheap but bom proof and really great quality... https://www.andertons.co.uk/lehle-3at1-sgos-switcher-with-midi-for-three-instruments-(stereo)-to-either-amp-or-tuner-3at1?LGWCODE=3AT1;56375;6335&gclid=Cj0KCQiAjO_QBRC4ARIsAD2FsXMY_jKDziEgHfiEvxZvh4zcANQDnJRJinlJBAqfjey-bX7PxjgQ3XQaAqzOEALw_wcB I really like the look of that, had the little dual for a while to experiment with stereo ping pong delay. How do you match the inputs though? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrevorR Posted November 29, 2017 Share Posted November 29, 2017 The little black discs next to the letters A & B are trim pots. Plug your quietest bass into channel C then use the trim pots to reduce the volume of he basses in the other channels to match it. V easy. I’ve got the old model where the trim pots were inside so you had to take the top of the pedal off to adjust them. The second gen ones have a much more sensible design. So, I’d have the passive Aria in Channel C and the Wal in Channel A with the internal trim pot turned down as necessary. I used Channel B as a mute channel as I only took the two basses to gigs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conan Posted November 29, 2017 Share Posted November 29, 2017 Maybe I'm over-simplifying things here (apologies if I am) but is output so important? If you like the tone of the Dirnt P, just turn the amp up a bit for that bass. A "hot" pickup is not necessarily a good pickup... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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