I have a brand new 4003 with a Toaster Pup at the neck position and High Gain at the bridge.
When I have both pickups toggled the volume is normal. When I toggle the bridge High Gain only, the sound gets real "hot". When I toggle the neck toaster only the sound drops , volume lowers. Is this normal? I did not notice this at the store.
I have had 4001s with Highgains in both positions in the past and never noticed this. Does it have something to do with the toaster pup? Thanks..
4003 Pickup Problem
Moderator: jingle_jangle
This is quite common and easy to adjust .When you play a 4000 series bass in a store you won't hear this nuance as you are concerned with the rest of the bass.The experience of 'shopping/hunting is overruling your intellect to some point .This is not a bad thing ,but it is a reality .Plus the room sound and the amp you played through are not what you normally hear it through ,nor does a guitar shop sound like a jig.
As the 4000 series basses do not really have adjustable neck pickups ,that pickup must be set first .Press all 4 strings down at the last fret and with a #1 Phillips screw driver check the treble /G string side screw to see that it is snug.This does not mean get out a torque wrench and set the screw to 85 lbs.
Plug in to your rig and set a balance of volume with the pickup ,you will need to 'lower' the bass /E side just a hair .This is due to mass ...the E is obviously a larger size ,therefore it will be sensed as 'MORE' by the pickup .
Then re-adjust the bridge pickup .....lower it first .Then start by setting the G string volume.
flip back and forth from pickup to pickup .Then set the E string side .Flip back and forth between pickups and set a balance that you are happy with .
The magnetic structure of the two pickups is totally different and they a different field of magnetism.Even if the coils were wrapped the same ,this is the case .
On a Fender Jazz Bass ,the two coils are sized differently ,but both are constructed of the same materials and the same magnets .On that bass you set the bridge pickup height first ,starting with the G string side . Then it gets the same setup as per the previous instructions.
As the 4000 series basses do not really have adjustable neck pickups ,that pickup must be set first .Press all 4 strings down at the last fret and with a #1 Phillips screw driver check the treble /G string side screw to see that it is snug.This does not mean get out a torque wrench and set the screw to 85 lbs.
Plug in to your rig and set a balance of volume with the pickup ,you will need to 'lower' the bass /E side just a hair .This is due to mass ...the E is obviously a larger size ,therefore it will be sensed as 'MORE' by the pickup .
Then re-adjust the bridge pickup .....lower it first .Then start by setting the G string volume.
flip back and forth from pickup to pickup .Then set the E string side .Flip back and forth between pickups and set a balance that you are happy with .
The magnetic structure of the two pickups is totally different and they a different field of magnetism.Even if the coils were wrapped the same ,this is the case .
On a Fender Jazz Bass ,the two coils are sized differently ,but both are constructed of the same materials and the same magnets .On that bass you set the bridge pickup height first ,starting with the G string side . Then it gets the same setup as per the previous instructions.
So you too want yours "ALAPWOB"?!?!
Given that this bass has the optional vintage reissue pickup in the bass position, this adjustment of the treble pickup might begin to equalize the level somewhat but you're also probably going to run out of travel before they are the same! The overall output is going to be practically nothing. That's the downside and tradeoff of the newer, lower output vintage reissue pickup.