Peejay Posted April 12, 2021 Share Posted April 12, 2021 Hi all I wondered if anyone could help with the above. I've owned my '78 Gibson RD Artist Bass from new and it hasn't been gigged for years, so it spends too much time in its case. I love the versatility of the bass (despite its weight) but recently noticed that the output volume had dropped massively. Changed the battery and no difference. Everything seems to work OK apart from the output is lower than all my passive basses, so suspect that it may be a pre-amp issue? Anyone resolved a similar problem, or perhaps know someone in Yorkshire who could fix it? Thanks in advance. Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neepheid Posted April 12, 2021 Share Posted April 12, 2021 Hope it isn't a preamp issue. I had to change the battery snap on a '79 one I had a while back. Can't remember if it was cutting out or just doing weird things - might be worth changing anyway, they don't last forever. Also, you have the '78 with the two three way switches - try cleaning those contacts up with switch cleaner/fine sandpaper. Hopefully some simple TLC will get you up and running again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peejay Posted April 13, 2021 Author Share Posted April 13, 2021 Thanks for your reply. It's possibly a poor solder joint or pot because all the onboard stuff works fine. Found an amp guy in Leeds who will take a look in a couple of weeks so fingers crossed. I'll change the battery connector anyway based on your suggestion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neepheid Posted April 13, 2021 Share Posted April 13, 2021 Welcome. Also the pickups etc. connect to the board with plugs - worth unplugging and reattaching a few times to clean those contacts up, just in case there's some oxidisation in there causing poor connection. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peejay Posted April 13, 2021 Author Share Posted April 13, 2021 I think it's oxidation that's the issue. 43 years old and bound to have a few issues. Amp tech says he'll check that out. It's really the only problem I've ever had. Neck is that good that it's only ever required one tweak of the truss rod. Apart from a partial re-fret and replacing the 3 point bridge with a Hipshot it's all original. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bloke_zero Posted April 21, 2021 Share Posted April 21, 2021 Lovely looking bass - really interesting controls! Good luck with getting it sorted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peejay Posted April 21, 2021 Author Share Posted April 21, 2021 Thanks. I've owned it since new and despite its weight I love it. Neck has only ever needed one quarter turn of the truss rod in all that time. It's not that complicated really and I rarely use the onboard effects to be honest, but it's so versatile without them. Hopeful that I'll get it sorted without too much fuss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.