Spectrum ST Bass issues

I just got a spectrum, however the pu has a very low output signal.  I can't see any loose wires.  Do you think some contact cleAner may fix it?  Are these desireable pu's to have?  I havent heard hrard a good soundclip of what they sound like.  Is there a modern pu that will fit and sound simiular?

Hi Rob. I'm a bit confused by your Post Title...I was expecting to see a vintage tube amplifier!

You mention you have a Spectrum. I'm guessing from the confusing title that you maybe have a Spectrum I? Can you give us a picture or at least confirm which model you have?


Spectrum I can either be a Matsumoku made instrument or a Korean made one and there are quite a few differences. Have a look on our web site for more information CLICK HERE and get back to us.


Some details would be helpful, otherwise we're just guessing.

This is what I have.  I did try some contact cleaner on the pots and it helped, but unless this pu is rather weak, I don't think I am getting full output.  It is much quieter than my passive yamaha attitude standard......albeit that is the hottest passive bass I have encountered.

Do the EA or DG strings sound  stronger?

They are all about even.  Maybe it is functioning correctly.  Have I been spoiled with the awesomness of my Yammy pu's?

Just tested it versus my SX jazz stock PU's and yeah, much quieter than even those.

Test your pickup with a meter should be around 11k. They're quite a ballsy pickup shouldn't be wimpish.
Is it close to the strings or miles away?

Westbone wrote:Test your pickup with a meter should be around 11k. They're quite a ballsy pickup shouldn't be wimpish.
Is it close to the strings or miles away?

Thanks, that is what I needed to know.  Now to find my volt meter.  PU is fairly close to the strings.  Def not miles.  I did not see a way to raise or lower it.  I see 4 screws (I assume for the cover), but when removed nothing happened.  I was unable to remove the cover.

Hi Rob. I'm a bit confused by your Post Title...I was expecting to see a vintage tube amplifier!

Since there is no "Magnatone I" I changed the Post Title to avoid confusion and make it searchable.

Damn censorship.  Isn't that single pu on the spectrum I called the "magnatone" or something very similar?  Who else is confused?

Found my volt meter.  It's only pushing 8k so def something up with it.  What is a similar sounding replacement?  A musicman or some sort of emg?

There is no "damn censorship" here Rob, and I resent that comment.

As I already stated, I changed the title to make it clear what the topic was and so it can be searched later by people who may have a similar problem.

The pickup is called Magnabass not Magnatone which is a vintage amplifier brand, also as I originally stated, hence the confusion as to what you were referring to.

Your initial post was in unclear and in error, and when people take time to respond to your question, perhaps you should actually read the reply and clarify the situation.

The web site I referred you to has a lot of information which could have helped. It wasn't until you posted a picture that we knew what you were talking about.

Magnabass & Magnatone......totally disimilar.


Do what chu got to do.  


Why does my antivirus view this page as malicious?

Barry wrote:There is no "damn censorship" here Rob, and I resent that comment.

As I already stated, I changed the title to make it clear what the topic was and so it can be searched later by people who may have a similar problem.

The pickup is called Magnabass not Magnatone which is a vintage amplifier brand, also as I originally stated, hence the confusion as to what you were referring to.

Your initial post was in unclear and in error, and when people take time to respond to your question, perhaps you should actually read the reply and clarify the situation.

The web site I referred you to has a lot of information which could have helped. It wasn't until you posted a picture that we knew what you were talking about.

Relax there Barry.  I wasn't comin down on you and I did read everyones responses and thought I had responded and cleared up any confusion or misinformation.  My bad.

Rob Gnarly wrote:  I see 4 screws (I assume for the cover), but when removed nothing happened.  I was unable to remove the cover.

Those(4 screws) are to raise/lower the pup.
There's foam under there, more than likely flattened over time.

It's not easy to get those covers off or get the coils out and it's quite easy to fook them up so be very carefull.

Rob Gnarly wrote:Found my volt meter.  It's only pushing 8k so def something up with it.  What is a similar sounding replacement?  A musicman or some sort of emg?

http://www.westoneguitars.net/fixme/hardware-repairs/bass-spectrum-gt-st-pickup-replacement/

Thanks.  

I was really hoping the original would work.  Any opinions on which RPL (MM or EMG) sounds more like the original magna bass?  Or does one sound better than the other?

Hi Rob did you sort out your pickup problem? 
The reason I ask is I picked up an ST last week on Ebay it was listed as spares or repairs and there was NO output at all.
I checked with my test-meter and the pickup was open circuit, I took the pickup out of the bass cut the glue that holds the metal plate to the casing and sure enough one half of the pickup had a wire disconnected.
True it was a difficult job to re solder the lead as it was from the start of the winding and only 3mm long, after three attempts I got a good connection and covered all the winding's with insulating tape.
Good result the bass is now restored to working order.
Note I had the same problem with a 1972 Antoria  SG bass (Ibanez 2354B same bass) and that was just a leadout wire, so it might be worth having a look inside the pickup.
If you wanted to post it to the UK I'd be happy to take a look at it for you.
Note you pickup has two coils the one lead from both coils is soldered to the metal base plate take care when taking it apart the winding's are very fine and break easily.