Epic bass battery

[Pete si]

I’ve had my epic for ~10 years and just discovered it has a battery! I understand a little bit why active Basses have batteries but I believe the epic bass is passive. Can any of you nice people please explain what the battery in my epic is for?

[hammer]

To my knowledge, Alembic doesn't make nor has ever made passive basses. It's part of the unique, clear undistorted sound you get from an Alembic. That doesn't mean some people (not necessarily the smart ones) don't replace Alembic electronics with passive ones because they think all basses should sound like a Fender Precision. Does your bass have the original Alembic PUPs or has it been modified? Amazed if your battery still has life left in it after 10-years.

[Pete si]

The pups are original as is everything else on it. I always thought if the instrument was active it would have a switch or one of the knobs would act like a switch by pulling it in or out. Thankfully, I’m not one of those people who wants my bass to sound like a fender. That’s exactly why I spent all my savings on an Alembic.

[lbpesq]

Hi, Peter, and welcome to the club!   No, there are no active/passive or on/off switches on a stock Alembic.   Also, you bass should put out little, if any, sound without a battery that is at least partially charged.   The first thing you might want to do is test the old battery and see if it has juice.  If it does, after ten years, you might want to contact the Guiness World Records people!    Otherwise, put in a fresh battery and see if that changes anything.   If your original battery is dead, and a new battery doesn’t change anything, I would strongly suspect that someone has messed with the electronics.   In that case, you might want to take a picture of the control cavity and post it so we can help you diagnose the issue.

Bill, the guitar one

[Pete si]

I’m not getting an amp till tomorrow so I’ll have to wait to see how it sounds. Thanks to all for your help.

[hammer]

When you open the battery compartment of the bass check to make sure there is no corrosion. A batter in there that long may have leaked. A few things to remember about your Alembic given that it needs to have that battery working.


A. Always have spare batteries on hand. Sometimes you will find that as the battery wears down you will get distorted sound. At other times the bass will be working one session and dead the next.
B. Unplug your bass whenever you are not playing it. Although there is typically a mute position on the PUP selector, the battery is always draining down when the bass is plugged in. You can completely drain a battery in about two weeks if you don't unplug.


Enjoy your bass and if you want to learn how to get the most out of it, keep coming back and asking questions. This site is populated by musicians, professionals as well as amateurs, who know a LOT about all things Alembic.

[lbpesq]

Peter, I guess I just assumed you had been playing it through an amp.   If you have never plugged it in, it would explain why you never realized it was active and required a battery.   Just to be clear, have you ever played this bass through an amp?  If so, how recently?

Bill, tgo

[Pete si]

I always played thru an amp. About 4 years ago I gave them away to my nephews dad so it’s been awhile. I shoulda saved the battery and posted it here for all to have a good laugh. Thank goodness there was no corrosion. I’m waiting for UPS to bring my new amp today! I’m 70 now and haven’t played in a few years. My eyesight is starting to go so the one good thing to come out of this covid mess is I’m so bored I’m gonna play again.
You guys are great and I appreciate your replies.

[keith_h]

....  I always thought if the instrument was active it would have a switch or one of the knobs would act like a switch by pulling it in or out.  ....

Alembic instruments switch the battery through the 1/4 inch connector so you won't find an external power switch.

Battery life itself depends upon how often and how long you play. When I was actively playing in groups I found a battery would last me anywhere from 6 months to a year. These days with little playing time they seem to age out before going dead. One thing to note is unlike some active instruments Alembics don't give you a warning that the battery had seen better days. Based on my experience they go from great sound to distortion instantly so I always keep a spare for the inevitable failure.

I've been thinking about playing a bit more. With the shutdown and schools closed my wife has been around a lot more and always seems to find other things for me to do. If this is a preview of what it will be like when she retires in a couple of years I might just have to go back to work to get some free time.

[hammer]

Peter
As I indicated earlier you are in great hands with the people who frequent this site who are always willing to help. All we ask others to do in return is to share photos of their prized Alembics one in a while and keep a civil tone. What type of amp did you purchase?

Keith
Good luck with getting your free time. I’m in the opposite situation. My wife just retired but Im still working and from home nonetheless. It’s amazing how many “projects” she starts during my work day and then needs my immediate help to complete. Looking forward to getting back to work but the University is indicating it will not be until sometime in early 2021 that they are going to open our offices to us.


[size=78%]And once again welcome.[/size]

[Pete si]

I see we have some things in common besides owning alembics. I’m retired but my wife was still working. She’s a teacher here in Staten Island, NY and was planning to retire. The situation with the schools is very bad. It looks like she’s gonna have to go back to work in the building.

The amp I just got is a peavey max100. It is 100 watts with a 10 inch upward firing speaker.  From the little I’ve played so far I would have to say this thing is terrific! For a living room or a basement this thing rocks. Great tone, plenty of volume and features. Plus with tax it ran me only $250.

As soon as I figure out how to post a picture here I will send that off straight away.

[lbpesq]

So Pete, is your bass working with the old battery?  With a new battery?  Without a battery?   

Bill, tgo

[Pete si]

I popped a new battery in and the thing took off. I’m all set up now. New amp, semi new bass. Life’s been good to me so far.

Do you know how to post a pic here? I’d love to show off my new rig.

[pauldo]

Pete,
Welcome back and best wishes for you and your wife (heck everybody!) during this extremely difficult era. 

What Brian (hammer) said above is true about carrying a spare battery.

What he did not mention is that sometimes when the battery dies while you are playing you will get this incredibly rich, harmonic distortion sound that is absolutely heavenly.  There are tales written about catching that lightning in a foot pedal... 


Paul

[Pete si]

Thanks to you all for your help and above all for welcoming me here. It gives me something else to look forward to every day.
I read somewhere on the site that if the side markers are looking a little dull they can be perked up with a little flitz. I tried it and it works very well. Thought I’d pass that along just in case.....