Author Topic: DS 5R power supply (Read 401 times)

pinchdawg · « **on:** February 04, 2006, 11:20:02 AM »

looking to buy or have made series I power supply.Thanks Jim

kmh364 · « **Reply #1 on:** February 06, 2006, 06:42:19 AM »

They're $495 MSRP (plus S&H) brand-new. Call Valentino @ Alembic...they usually have 'em in stock.

pinchdawg · « **Reply #2 on:** February 06, 2006, 07:01:47 AM »

Thanks kevin, Question, why do I need it,if I am using a mono bass head. I have not received my series bass yet I am just trying to get prepared.Is it because the series basses use alot of dc power or is it a sound thing?

adriaan · « **Reply #3 on:** February 06, 2006, 07:17:25 AM »

From what I've heard, Series electronics can run on 9V batteries, but the batteries will run out pretty quick.

kungfusheriff · « **Reply #4 on:** February 06, 2006, 07:18:49 AM »

If you're willing to buy and use a great number of nine-volt batteries and a stereo-to-mono quarter-inch cable, you can get along without the power supply, but I wouldn't recommend it.
Series basses run at 36 volts, and the power supply allows you to choose between running both pickups/preamps summed into one channel of your amplifier, or running the bass and treble pickups seperately into different channels or even different amplifiers.
For example, I run my Series 2 into one channel of my stereo Walter Woods amplifier with great result, but if I wanted to get fancy I could run each pickup into a seperate channel.

David Houck · « **Reply #5 on:** February 06, 2006, 07:22:28 AM »

Jim; you need it to supply power to the bass. Series instruments go through batteries really fast; thus for practical purposes, you need the power supply. From time to time a used DS-5 will show up here or on Ebay; but used DS-5R's are a little more scarce.

pinchdawg · « **Reply #6 on:** February 06, 2006, 07:33:58 AM »

Thanks all, Let me see if I understand. The 1/4 inch input on the bass is stereo? What happens if you use a regular cord? 500.00 would buy alot of 9 volt bats. LOL Jim

adriaan · « **Reply #7 on:** February 06, 2006, 07:42:40 AM »

Well, I think you need to put in 2 batteries - that means you'll run out of those 500.00 a lot sooner than you're thinking now.

Not sure about the number of hours before they run out - something like 20 hours? That's not really practical if you're on stage a lot - might be different if you're a couch player (like myself).

adriaan · « **Reply #8 on:** February 06, 2006, 07:47:25 AM »

With a regular mono cord, you hear only one pickup, except if the instrument was fitted with a mono/stereo switch, or when you run a Y-cord - stereo plug on one end, two mono plugs at the other end. There are some resistors and/or capacitors that need to be soldered into some of the plugs.

pinchdawg · « **Reply #9 on:** February 06, 2006, 08:00:14 AM »

I will be talking to mica or val today. I guess there is no avoiding this power supply issue. Is there anything else I need to know about a series bass. He says it is shipping with the cord. Thanks All, Jim

kmh364 · « **Reply #10 on:** February 06, 2006, 08:10:38 AM »

FWIW, the one p/u output through the 1/4 jack with a mono cable only pertains to the older models. The newer Series all sum both p/u's to the 1/4 jack for use with a mono cable. What the jumping-off production date for this change is not known to me.

pinchdawg · « **Reply #11 on:** February 06, 2006, 08:15:09 AM »

I bought 80-1745.

pinchdawg · « **Reply #12 on:** February 06, 2006, 08:30:58 AM »

Alebic doesen't open till 11:00 so I am going to go fishing and see if I can get another Steelhead. Thanks for all the help, Jim

David Houck · « **Reply #13 on:** February 06, 2006, 08:35:36 AM »

Jim; I don't think the Steelhead has a stereo plug.