Alembic Guitars Club
Alembic products => Alembic Basses & Guitars => Topic started by: Harleybass on September 29, 2017, 08:47:31 AM
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I would love some feedback on using a Series 1 without The DS- 5.Not new to the Alembic world,owning 5 in the past .first go around with The Series 1.Thanks
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The biggest issue will be battery consumption. I understand that the S1 electronics reduce the lifespan of 9 volt batteries far more quickly than non-Series electronics.
So, if you're accustomed to getting 6 months - a year out of a battery with your other Alembics, it will be significantly less with Series instruments.
I always use a DS 5 power supply with my S1 and S2 basses, so I don't know how long the batteries last, but I'm sure there are other Forum members who have some experience with that.
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I don't think I have ever used my Series bass without the external power supply so I am also not sure about battery life. If you are planning to use batteries until you can get a power supply from Alembic that seems fine but personally I would be reluctant to gig without the power supply.
Do you have the bass already and is the 1/4" output wired for stereo or mono? If it is wired in stereo and you use the batteries and a mono cable you are only going to get one pickup, so that is a consideration, too.
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I do not have the bass yet,I was told using the battery I would only get one pick up.so I assume the 1/4" is stereo.I'm hoping its the neck pick up.do all the controls work when using on battery ?(the controls for that one pickup any way)When they come in from Alembic I would then get one.I would like to be able at least to use the Bass.Thanks for your input
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I have a series bass too and have never used it live on batteries, just tried it out to check all was working. Mine came with a stereo to mono lead which gives me both pickups out to mono. All the controls still work when using the battery just like with the DS-5.
here is a link on how to create a lead.
http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=275.0
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You will get approximately 20 hours of life from brand new batteries.
C-Ya..........wayne
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Sounds like the bass is wired in stereo so if you use the 1/4" jack with a mono cable the neck pickup will be the one that works, filter and Q switch will be fine, too. Luckily for you the DS-5 power supplies will be back in stock soon.
I am sure everyone is going to want to see pictures of the bass and also get your impressions of the instrument as you get to know it.
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I use my Series I often with just the batteries. Pretty much all rehearsals
and even some gigs. As Wayne says, battery life is short, though I think
that I get a bit more then 20 hours. At a gig I make sure to unplug my bass
on breaks. Also, if there is any doubt about them lasting through the gig, I change
them out before hand. I have left the 1/4" jack stereo and I have a TRS to 1/4" cord
made with the summing resistors built into the connector on one end.
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If you re also looking for a good amp, check out the Walter Woods listing discussed in the The Swap, Sell and Wish List section. It's got a built in power supply for Alembics.
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If you re also looking for a good amp, check out the Walter Woods listing discussed in the The Swap, Sell and Wish List section. It's got a built in power supply for Alembics.
That would be cool - getting your first Series I and also getting a Walter Woods amp tailor made for it!
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The batteries don't last long depending upon how much you are playing. If you play a lot think in the term of weeks rather than months. Thing like neck LED's won't function either. If the bass doesn't have a stereo/mono switch you can make a stereo to mono cable. The instructions are here:
http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=275.0 (http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=275.0)
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I'd also think about whether you are going to want the mini or the rack version. From what I understand the minis may be available soon...the rack mounts? I wouldn't hold my breath because it might be a while. I'm know some people prefer the minis but personally I prefer the rack mount versions.
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Thanks for everyone's input.anyone know if Alembic can make me the cable?I'm weighing all options.currently bave a beautiful 83 Distillate.
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Oops, I thought you meant five-pin cable. I bought the stereo to mono cable from Bayou Cables (link in HarleyBass' post below).
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Bayou cable make them
http://bayoucables.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=35
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John,
that is where I got one of mine...
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So when you bought your cable,from bayou and you were able to use both pickups off the battery without any issues other than nuclear battery drain?
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Yes, the Bayou cable has a stereo tip for your guitar and mono tip for your amp that combines the signal from both pickups. You hear sound from both pickups with their cable.
http://bayoucables.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=35&products_id=92
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Yes, roger that. I try to pay attention to my tone and I carry
spare batteries in my case. I use the cord for hit and run situations
like rehearsals and opening sets, it makes breadowns go a little
quicker.
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As others have said the cable in the link will allow you to used both pickups in a mono configuration. Butch at Bayou Cables does good work and his prices are reasonable. I have multiple signal and speaker cables he has made for me including a stereo to mono Y I use with my Brown Bass to run a stereo rig.
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Here is a DS5 power supply on eBay
http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=23157.0
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rare-Alembic-DS5-Power-Supply-For-Bass-Or-Guitar-Active-Pickup-Systems-w-Cable-/352176079834?hash=item51ff5483da:g:3~gAAOSwa75Z0C93
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I buy my Series 5 pin cables from Bayou. I recommend them highly.
I often use my Series basses with batteries, usually at rehearsals where I don't feel like hauling a DS-5 around. Like others have said, you will get about 15-20 hours of life out of the 9 volts. Not great, but certainly workable.
I've also had my 1/4' jacks re-wired to mono so that I get both pickups when I use it that way. If you call Alembic they will give you simple "how-to" instructions for the mod.
Welcome back!
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Steve's post made me go look at the FAQ for Series I/II 1/4" wiring thread. It contains the info on wiring mono or stereo. It says it is for the PF6 card. I don't know when these came into being but if the pictures and descriptions fit what you have this will show you how to convert the wiring.
http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=270.0 (http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=270.0)
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George used LiPo 9v rechargeable batteries for quite a while successfully. They give about 20 hours on his series 2, running the LEDs as well as the electronics. He carried a spare set of fully charged ones. The advantage is it's quick to set up at a gig. He gigs a lot.
Recently he moved back to his DS5 as the 5 pin lead is better than the usual 1/4 Jack leads.
I dont have a DS5 at all. Pierre-Yves didnt have a spare one when he sold me his bass so I made myself one.
All the information needed to make one is freely available online.
This substitute runs from any USB source including an iphone charger. It has the usual stereo/mono output jacks. I use it for my series 1.
(https://oldgitblog.files.wordpress.com/2017/09/dscf9577.jpg?w=648&zoom=1)
I would still recommend a proper DS5 if you can get one.
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Just received the stereo/mono cable from Bayou.works great,low noise.my series one has two 9 volts.I bought the duracell quantum.anyone have thoughts on the boogie man power supply?
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He does a small unit that uses 2 wall warts to give the dual rail power. Crude but probably works. Expensive for what it is.
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anyone have thoughts on the boogie man power supply?
I personally would never give "The BoogieMan" any money for anything. He has been discussed many times here on the Club.
C-Ya............wayne
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I figured I would check in,I got my 1985 Series one,bought my Bayou series one cable,all good,I've gotten about 6 hrs of rehearsal time so far out of both Duracell Quantum 9 volts.(about $7 for two batteries).I love the tone unbelievable to play,BUT,here comes the but,its very noisy at the 2 different rehearsal studios I've been in.not noisy at home on my rig,so bad sometimes between songs i flip the switch to standby.I read all about the RF issues with the series one any thoughts?Bring them on!
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The first thing I would try to do is perform the hum cancelling procedure here:
http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=269.0 (http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=269.0)
For general info on Series I/II here is the FAQ page:
http://club.alembic.com/index.php?board=23.0 (http://club.alembic.com/index.php?board=23.0)