Thumb distorting

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malarkist

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I play a 5 string NT thumb in a death metal band tuned to D standard with a low A. The low string distorts whenever plucked. Is this the growl just really low? Can the thumb not handle such a low tuning without distorting? And what would i do to fix such a problem. I've tryed compressors, having the bass set up and upgrading my amp. Thanks.
 
I know you said you've tried setting the bass up but...try raising the lw string a little and lowering the pickup on the low string side a little
 
There is a small "trim pot" on the green preamp board of your electronics. It
looks like a small brownish dial on a silver peg. Just turn that until is stops
buzzing. It also may be because your pickups are to close to the strings.

Here's a picture of where you can find it. It's not the best picture but yo can
still see it.
 
+1 to Thndrstk's comment.

Try these in order:

  • 1. Check your battery (ies). Batteries getting low on voltage will cause distortion, with the lower notes exhibiting it first. If not the batteries, then...
    2. Put the Thumb in passive mode and pluck your low A. Does it distort? If so, lower your p/u height until there is no audible distortion.
    3. Now switch to active mode. Pluck - is there distortion? If so, then you need to adjust the trim pot like Thndrstk mentioned. Ideally, the output of the bass should be the same passive or active with the eq set flat.

Good luck!
 
I've managed to fix the problem by screwing with the pick up height. I really don't know why i didn't think about that. Thanks alot everyone for the help.
 
Cool! That was the problem on my thumb as well after downtuning. I lowered the PUs. 4 mm from string to PU works fine for me.
 
Patrik said:
Cool! That was the problem on my thumb as well after downtuning. I lowered the PUs. 4 mm from string to PU works fine for me.
Click to expand...

Good!, I think the thumb is one of the most solid sounding contemporary basses i know, because of this i think it is an exellent choice for your type of music. have fun!
 
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