Alembic Guitars Club
Connecting => Miscellaneous => Topic started by: Russ on November 29, 2021, 10:57:42 AM
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Sorry for the stupid question, I'm guessing this has been asked before but I haven't found anything that explains it so here goes...
When using the 5 pin cable from the Series II bass, if I connect the Bass connection (mono) does that mean I'm only getting the one pickup or does the DS-5 bridge the two pickups together for the mono out?
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The mono out of the DS-5 has the summing resistors so you get both pickups.
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That's what I was hoping you'd say :)
Thank you!
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There should be a "mono/stereo" switch which you would set to “mono" to get the summing of both pickups.
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There should be a "mono/stereo" switch which you would set to “mono" to get the summing of both pickups.
Note that the older DS-5 boxes don’t have the mono/stereo switch, just mono out of the bass 1/4” socket.
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Thanks for the responses everyone, very helpful!
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There should be a "mono/stereo" switch which you would set to “mono" to get the summing of both pickups.
Note that the older DS-5 boxes don’t have the mono/stereo switch, just mono out of the bass 1/4” socket.
Oops, I did not know that—the 3 I owned so far must have been of the newer variety …. thanks for the correction.
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👍
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Also note, if you throw the switch to mono on the switched DS-5 units there will still the bridge signal from the treble jack if you want to use that for anything.
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Also note, if you throw the switch to mono on the switched DS-5 units there will still the bridge signal from the treble jack if you want to use that for anything.
I set the switch to mono and run the output from the treble jack into my tuner...
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Also note, if you throw the switch to mono on the switched DS-5 units there will still the bridge signal from the treble jack if you want to use that for anything.
That might be a way to run effects to allow for mixing a wet and dry signal.
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Also note, if you throw the switch to mono on the switched DS-5 units there will still the bridge signal from the treble jack if you want to use that for anything.
That might be a way to run effects to allow for mixing a wet and dry signal.
Both great ideas!
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So versatile, the only bummer is it's not wireless... Now I have to consider the trade off of plugging in to get the LED's and not have to worry about the batteries dying on me mid-show versus being wireless with no LED's.
Does the series electronics burn through batteries to the point that I should just give up on them and opt to plug in? I have no idea how old they were, since they came with the bass, but when they die the bass is basically dead - happens quick too, meaning one second I had beautiful bass vibes and the next second nothing...
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From what i have read on the forum you can expect set of batteries for a series bass to last around 20 hrs. I don't personally use a series bass live or to record without the DS-5.
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Yes Russ, that's the way they die. Vince is correct that you get about 20 hours of time with the connector in the 1/4" jack. Note that stand-by on the pickup selector switch is not off - as long as the cable is plugged in the batteries are draining.
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Thanks
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I like using the five pin cable since I don’t have to worry about batteries that way. I see the batteries and 1/4” as a backup for situations like having to quickly plug in and out of someone else’s rig.
I write the date on the batteries with a sharpie pen when I replace them and keep note of approximate time used since replacement, and keep a fresh set of spare batteries in my case too. Although, I almost always use the five pin and DS-5 box even when practicing at home.
I have one bass that does not have 1/4” out, just the five pin, truly an “Electric” Bass! Another one has two cables (five pin and midi) I feel like I’m space walking with that one! :)
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I was gonna miss the LED's anyway, thanks again everyone!
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Russ,
If you really need to be wireless you can build a battery pack onto your strap wired to run +/-18VDC into the 5-pin jack and run the whole bass on 4, 6, or 8-9V batteries. Adding the wireless pack to that means carrying a heavy load, but you'd achieve the freedom to roam...
Jimmy J
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Here is an old thread where one of the forum members documented the making of a DIY power pack from a couple of Altoids tins in order to use the series bass with a wireless transmitter.
https://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=734 (https://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=734)
And another more high tech version from another member GeePee.
https://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=8261.msg95301#msg95301
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Wow, and I thought I took things too far sometimes :) I guess if you're buying an Alembic you probably take things too far in a lot of ways...
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Do Alembic basses (Series, especially) work well with rechargeable "9V" (which aren't actually exactly 9V) batteries?
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I use a wireless 100 percent of the time these days. I just use the on board batteries.
I would love to have a battery pack for my bass. Anyone here make them? I am not going to do it. I would love to have one already made. I would love it if Alembic made one. Hint, hint.
Michael
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Do Alembic basses (Series, especially) work well with rechargeable "9V" (which aren't actually exactly 9V) batteries?
I have tried rechargeable batteries in a non series bass but they didn't last as long as regular duracell or Energizer. So these days I always put those two in my basses and use rechargeable batteries for the LEDs in my Europa bass. In an emergency I can forgo the LEDs and use one of the batteries to power my bass, although I always have spare 9v batteries in my case.