Author Topic: Instantaneous Vanishing of Sound (Read 464 times)

hammer · « **on:** March 22, 2015, 03:13:14 PM »

This only happened at a practice so it wasn't too big a deal, but the other night my Signature Deluxe went from sounding sweet on one song we were playing to providing absolutely no sound at all when we started another no more than 60 seconds later. In the past with my Distillate and SC standard when the batteries started to go I always got a warning as in a drop in volume or distortion. This time it went from sounding sweet as usual to 0. Has anyone else had this happen?

I typically only bring one of my Alembics to gigs and have a 2nd bass available but its a Rob Allen fretless that I use for two songs. I usually have extra batteries available, but removing screws and doing a replacement in a semi-lit area would take a bit of time. In addition, the fretless just wouldn't cut through on most of the stuff we play in this band. The idea of needing to bring a second Alembic and not having it in my hands most of the night scares the hell out of me.

keith_h · « **Reply #1 on:** March 22, 2015, 03:20:46 PM »

Was the problem dead batteries?

I've found on my Brown Bass when they go they go quickly from sounding ok to a few farts then it's over.

Keith

lbpesq · « **Reply #2 on:** March 22, 2015, 05:52:34 PM »

I always check batteries before a gig. One failure was enough to teach me that particular lesson.

Bill, tgo

jacko · « **Reply #3 on:** March 23, 2015, 06:48:54 AM »

I had the same a few weeks ago at a rehearsal with my Mk deluxe. Sound dropped off almost immediately - it was the battery.

Graeme

terryc · « **Reply #4 on:** March 26, 2015, 03:06:53 AM »

Guy guys guys c'mon! Those relatively cheap little chemical electrolytic packages can cause so much distain at the worst times!
I use high end quality rechargables, they don't suffer memory loss like the old cadmium ones of years ago, I charge them up before I venture out and never had one emabarrasing moment yet AND the same battery powers the LED's in my MK Signature!
Scouts badge - 'Always be prepared' as I have found that to be applicable in all life! LOL!

hammer · « **Reply #5 on:** March 26, 2015, 05:47:24 AM »

All good advice...and most of it followed. I had an extra set of batteries with me. I actually stash an extra set in each of the cases I have which protect each of the four basses I own. And that's the problem. I change out the batteries but...tend to forget which set got changed when. Internal conversation... Didn't I just change those batteries in my Signature Deluxe? How can they go dead that quickly? Or was it the SC Signature Standard in which I just put those new batteries? or the Europa? Darn which one has the new batteries and which one's are old? Im sure that at times I've changed out and recycled batteries that probably only have a month of use in them. Need to start a list...now if I can only remember where I put that list!

tubeperson · « **Reply #6 on:** March 26, 2015, 05:59:09 AM »

Hammer, buy several small mini spiral bound pads, and keep a log in each bass case per bass. If I don't write things down, they tend to go where my youthful memories are, lost in the clouds.

bob2 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 26, 2015, 11:55:17 AM »

if it's okay to chime in on keeping track of stuff, for batteries i use that blue painters tape. put a little piece on the battery or on the lid of the compartment if there is not enough room. write the date on the tape. then you always know when it went in.
(if you put the tape on the lid of the compartment, move the tape to the old battery when you change. put a new piece on the compartment.)

a sharpie works sometimes, but if you rub the ink off the metal battery casing, then it's back to when did i put this in? oh well it's probably fine.

StephenR · « **Reply #8 on:** March 26, 2015, 01:29:29 PM »

I date the batteries in my basses but that was not very helpful when I had my Distillate (1983-85). It had about a 24-25 hour battery life. Between gigging, rehearsing and woodshedding it was very hard to keep track of how many hours of use they had simply based on a date. One experience of my bass going dead on stage mid-song was enough to make me change batteries constantly. Thankfully Alembic ended up removing the LED (that came on when the bass was plugged in) from that model since it was responsible for the terrible battery life. Otherwise it was a killer bass and I still consider it a desirable model of Alembic.

samsamaha · « **Reply #9 on:** April 17, 2015, 10:35:50 AM »

The new mom-recharge energizer lithium 9v batteries last a good bit longer and are VERY stable should you let your bass sit a long time. I use them in every bass and while they cost more they give good peace of mind.

edwin · « **Reply #10 on:** April 18, 2015, 08:45:47 PM »

I have my SII equipped Starfire set up without a 1/4 battery powered option, both for ease of wiring and because of the battery life problem. But, I've discovered Panasonic Eneloop AA batteries, which last longer than alkaline AA batteries and can be recharged thousands of times. They also hold a charge for a very long time without being used. So, given that the Starfire has a lot of room in the interior, I'm thinking about rigging up a battery pack out of AA's instead of 9V's. Just a thought at this time.

sonicus · « **Reply #11 on:** April 18, 2015, 10:33:25 PM »

I have decided to keep any batteries out of my Series I/II Bass's , just because they fuction with out them . I like the fact that the power supply will give me 100% performance 100% of the time when I want it .