Author Topic: Batteries (Read 609 times)

dan_in_london · « **on:** April 25, 2006, 02:30:45 AM »

What should I be listening out for to know when to change the batteries?

D

adriaan · « **Reply #1 on:** April 25, 2006, 02:44:11 AM »

As the voltage goes down, there will be some distortion that you cannot get rid of.

David Houck · « **Reply #2 on:** April 25, 2006, 05:40:12 AM »

And it will happen at a gig, and you'll have no idea why your rig suddenly sounds so strange. You'll turn around and stare at your speakers for a minute or so, and maybe unplug and replug your cable a few times, until it dawns on you that it could be that the battery in your bass might be going bad. For the non-Series basses, it's probably good to change the battery once a year. And always carry a spare fresh battery in your gig bag.

bsee · « **Reply #3 on:** April 25, 2006, 08:08:37 AM »

I suppose that depends how much you play, Dave. I would replace it at least once a year, but more often if I were playing heavily. It's only a few screws to get to the battery, so I would check it periodically, maybe every 2-3 months, until I had a handle on the drain pattern.

Another thought is that the best performance of your electronics will come from a fully charged battery. If you are going into the studio or about to have a critical performance, then put a new battery in.

Remember that the battery drains anytime the cable is plugged in. Most of us know that, but it's always worth mentioning when the topic arises.

lothartu · « **Reply #4 on:** April 26, 2006, 07:15:55 AM »

I remember seeing a post around here by someone saying that they always put a brand new battery in their bass before a gig and that they just used the previous battery in whatever household knick knack/toy/remote control/clock needed a 9v. That sounded like a pretty good idea to me. I imagine that it depends on how often you gig though, once a month may be often enough instead of every gig.

Yep, it's always good to mention that everyone should remember to never leave their bass plugged in because it just drains the battery.

When I had my Series bass I always used the DS-5 box so I never ran it off batteries. I did keep a brand new pair of 9v batteries in my case at all times and a little phillips head screwdriver just in case. I never needed it but I was glad that it was there.

-Jim

playbootsy · « **Reply #5 on:** April 26, 2006, 07:02:33 PM »

Hello!
I just want to know if when i use Series 1 without a Power Suply my sound lost quality or power?
Thank?s

David Houck · « **Reply #6 on:** April 26, 2006, 08:04:54 PM »

Ricardo; the main concern about batteries in an S1 is that they don't last very long.

lbpesq · « **Reply #7 on:** April 26, 2006, 08:30:14 PM »

I don't know if they changed this on the newer instruments, but on the older Series 1's when you play on batteries and plug in through a standard 1/4 inch plug cable, only the neck pickup works.

Bill, tgo

dadabass2001 · « **Reply #8 on:** April 27, 2006, 05:04:59 AM »

*point of inquiry*
I believe Series instruments have stereo (TRS) jacks. I remember reading someone played directly into headphones and heard one pickup per ear. IIRC series electronics use more power than the other models, and so tend to drain batteries rather quickly. But not so fast that you couldn't do a show just on battery power.

I'm sure there would be no difference in level or sound quality between external vs battery power, otherwise the Alembic wizards wouldn't still build the battery option in.
My $.02

Mike

(Message edited by dadabass2001 on April 27, 2006)

David Houck · « **Reply #9 on:** April 27, 2006, 06:33:13 AM »

Bill and Mike are right; if you use the 1/4 jack, you'll need a stereo cable.

(Message edited by davehouck on April 27, 2006)

jazzyvee · « **Reply #10 on:** April 27, 2006, 11:19:51 AM »

Now here's a thought. If you had a series instrument, ( which I don't have....yet) would it be possible to use use a re-chargeable battery inside the bass and have it charged up via the Series 1 Power supply?

If that were possible then, you 'd always have a fully charged backup power supply inside the bass all times.

Just me thinking out of the box here.... :-)

Jazzyvee

olieoliver · « **Reply #11 on:** April 27, 2006, 11:55:06 AM »

Jazzy, Dude you're what I call, an Idea Man. If they offer them that way now, they should.
Jazzyvee-Head of Research and Development has a nice ring to it.

lothartu · « **Reply #12 on:** April 27, 2006, 07:25:10 PM »

Actually the 1/4 jack on Series instruments either may or may not be wired for stereo. I think it depends on when it was made.

-Jim

David Houck · « **Reply #13 on:** April 27, 2006, 07:36:40 PM »

Ricardo's bass is a '77 which, if I remember correctly, should have a stereo jack.

jazzyvee · « **Reply #14 on:** April 28, 2006, 12:03:55 AM »

Well OlieOliver, I would happily accept one Series I or II instrument a year in lieu of salary.....

Thanks lol