Author Topic: DS5 and Series 1 Stereo (Read 1005 times)

rv_bass · « **on:** March 05, 2016, 09:51:25 AM »

I recently got a DS5 for my Series 1 and started exploring the stereo feature. I expected each pickup to be isolated to separate chanels at all times, but I found that only occurs when the pickup selector is set to activate both pickups at the same time. In contrast, when an individual pickup is selected by itself, the signal goes through both channels. That was surprising, but makes sense. It will be fun figuring out how to mix it all with the two preamps and the Series electronics in the bass.

JimmyJ · « **Reply #1 on:** March 05, 2016, 10:43:47 AM »

Hey Rob,

That is surprising and actually doesn't sound normal... Is this a new DS5 or an older model?

As far as I know, unless the bass was specifically modified to do that, with the DS5 operating in stereo there should only be sound out of the bass jack when the neck pickup or both pickups are selected on the bass. Likewise, with the pickup selector in the first position away from mute (bridge pickup only) there should only audio coming out of the treble jack.

Jimmy J

StephenR · « **Reply #2 on:** March 05, 2016, 11:14:52 AM »

Something doesn't sound right. Running my Series bass into the DS5 using the five-pin cable then into a stereo pre-amp using two 1/4 cables from the DS5 if I solo the bridge pickup and turn off the pre-amp channel it is running into there is no sound. Same with the neck pickup. As far as I know that is the way things should work. With both pickups on you will still have an isolated signal going to each pre-amp channel.

Are you using a five-pin cable? The 1/4 jack on the older Series basses (pre 1988?) will only output the neck pickup unless you use a stereo cable.

rv_bass · « **Reply #3 on:** March 05, 2016, 11:34:45 AM »

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the feedback.

I'm using a five-pin cable from the bass into the DS5. The Pickup selector was modified by a previous owner. The four position dial switch was replaced with a three position toggle switch. Maybe they rewired the way the stereo output from the bass works when they did that.

I am using a brand new DS5 with two F-1X preamps into a QSC-GX7 power amp. I have the bass line out from the DS5 going into one F-1X 1/4 input jack, and the treble DS5 out going to the other F-1X. I then have the full range outs on each F-1X going to a separate channel on the power amp. I then have each power amp channel going to separate speaker cabs using speakon cables. The signal effect I get is what I described in my original post. Maybe I have to send it in to have the wiring checked out. Or perhaps it has to do with the way the power amp channels are set up. I will fool with it some more.

Rob

rv_bass · « **Reply #4 on:** March 05, 2016, 11:43:43 AM »

...and the signal effect I get is, when the pickup selector is set for only one pickup, I get sound out of both cabs, even though each cab is on a separate F-1X and channel from the power amp. When the pickup selector is set to select both pickups at the same time, each pickup is isolated to only one channel and cab.

Rob

JimmyJ · « **Reply #5 on:** March 05, 2016, 12:04:39 PM »

Must have been the way they wired the pickup selector. But you might want to just keep it that way, sounds kinda interesting! If you suddenly want to have a bright sound come out of your whole rig - maybe for a solo - you can switch to ALL bridge pickup. Or go mellow with ALL neck pickup. It's a unique setup and you may come to enjoy it!

Jimmy J

rv_bass · « **Reply #6 on:** March 05, 2016, 05:58:11 PM »

Thanks Jimmy,

I think I'll go with it the way it is currently set up. As you say, it is kind of nice to have that option. I have another older Series 1 that will need some restoration at some point, so I'll see if I can have the typical wiring set up on that one and compare the two.

Rob

sonicus · « **Reply #7 on:** March 05, 2016, 07:01:52 PM »

Rob , I believe what Jimmy J wrote is the way it is on my instruments as well . On my Series instruments I get DUAL bridge or dual NECK pick up feeds from the DS5/ DS5R as per your description . The same result as per various instruments .
Wolf .

jazzyvee · « **Reply #8 on:** March 06, 2016, 03:06:07 AM »

On my DS-5 I get individual pickup outs when the DS-5 is switched to Stereo and what you would expect as you turn the pickup selector on the bass. However if the DS-5 is switched to mono, I get neck & bridge, neck only and bridge only in the bass/mono output of the DS-5 again depending on the bass pickup selector. Also I get bridge only from the treble DS-5 output.

I guess if I wanted to use effects I could do that on the bridge output in that mode and still keep the dry bass sound in my outputs too.
I actually like the way the original poster has it wired since if I was giving the engineer two outputs from the DS-5 in stereo they wouldn't lose the signal from any of the channels if I decide to switch pickups.

rv_bass · « **Reply #9 on:** March 06, 2016, 01:03:29 PM »

I looked under the hood, comparing the five-pin on my bass with the Alembic five-pin photo, it appears as though it was modified in my bass. There are three resistors on the purple wire connection on the five-pin for my bass. I'll likely send it in at some point have have it all checked out. Rob

(Message edited by RV_BASS on March 06, 2016)

JimmyJ · « **Reply #10 on:** March 06, 2016, 01:49:39 PM »

Yes indeed, I'd say somebody has been doing some creative modifications in there. The resistors were added to change the 1/4 jack from the stock stereo to mono out. Although that normally only involves 2 resistors so I don't know why there would be 3 (maybe they didn't have 2 resistors of equal value).

Maybe more importantly, what the heck is that unused 4-pin connector for? Perhaps there was some synth bass rig onboard at one time?

Interesting! We'd all love to see what the front of the bass looks like too! Post pics if possible.

It would probably be a good idea to replace that 5-pin jack if you could. Partially because of the roughly done mod and also because in the top pic it looks like pin-4 is trying to pull itself out of the jack from the front. That can happen due to overheating while soldering - although there doesn't appear to be much solder in that actual pin...

With a bit of TLC you'll have it back to spec!

(More pics please!)
Jimmy J

StephenR · « **Reply #11 on:** March 06, 2016, 01:54:05 PM »

I have always liked having the ability to run the bridge pickup only through effects and still get a nice fat bass sound from the neck pickup. Even though I have never tried, being able to run a stereo feed from the 1/4 jack into effects and simultaneously run a dry feed from the DS5 also seems useful. The Series instruments definitely provide lots of options.

rv_bass · « **Reply #12 on:** March 06, 2016, 03:01:23 PM »

Thanks again for the feedback and info, much appreciated. Jimmy, yes there was once a synth pickup in this bass. This is 75-174, there were two previous owners (Andy West who used the synth and a person after him who removed it). The synth pickup has since been removed and the 4-pin disabled. Pictures of bass body and electronics cavity below. Although it plays and sounds great right now (aside from a little background noise) I will look into scheduling a time to send it in and have it restored to current specs. Thanks, Rob

nnek · « **Reply #13 on:** March 06, 2016, 03:55:57 PM »

WOW there's that famous
Birdseye/Flame Zebra on both front and back!

ed_zeppelin · « **Reply #14 on:** March 08, 2016, 09:23:21 PM »

quote:This is 75-174

Mine's 75-240. I think it's from the same zebrawood log.