Author Topic: Compatible 1/4 stereo cable for Spyder bass (Read 390 times)

mr_patrick · « **on:** April 13, 2016, 11:24:52 AM »

Hi all,

I recently bought a used Spyder bass from 2008 and want to run it in stereo mode over two amps.

For this purpose, I bought a (rather expensive) high-end stereo instrument cable from Vovox (http://www.thomann.de/gb/vovox_sonorus_protect_a600_twin.htm), as this was the only stereo cable on offer.

But independent of the mono/stereo switch selection on the bass, no signal is apparently coming out from the mono jacks :-(

I'm not sure whether something might be faulty with the cable, or whether it is actually not compatible with the bass, and I need another one.

Is anybody using the Spyder successfully in stereo mode and can point me to a working stereo-to-twin-mono cable in the market?

Thanks in advance :-)

5a_quilt_top · « **Reply #1 on:** April 13, 2016, 11:59:51 AM »

When I had my Spyder, I used either a stock moderately expensive Monster stereo cable (with one red and one black cable) or a cheaper Quantum stereo cable (both cables black).

Either worked fine.

Remember to use the pickup selector to select stereo mode.

willgunn · « **Reply #2 on:** April 13, 2016, 12:49:01 PM »

This might seem overly obvious, but have you checked/replaced the battery?

keith_h · « **Reply #3 on:** April 13, 2016, 01:04:22 PM »

Have you exercised the stereo/mono switch? I know it can get oxidized on my Brown Bass since I rarely use it and cause stereo mode not to work.

I second David's suggestion of verifying the pickup selector is in the correct position.

The cable needed is nothing special as far as wiring goes. Have you tested that the cable is good? Otherwise try using a 1/4 TS cable in mono mode and select the neck and bridge pickups. You should hear both pickups. Switch to stereo mode and you should only hear one pickup (bridge if I remember correctly but it is unimportant). This would tell you the bass is mostly ok and working as expected.

After that it could be the cable connectors are undersized to turn on the bass. This could be the result of the cable or the 1/4 jack getting worn out.

Keith

mr_patrick · « **Reply #4 on:** April 13, 2016, 09:38:11 PM »

Hi all,

Thanks a lot for all the feedback :-)

As I'm currently based in Abu Dhabi, and the bass went to Germany, my brother who is guitarist was actually performing the 'health check' for me after the bass arrived from Paris, and possible that he just did something wrong.

Everything seems to work as expected with a mono cable, and good to know that the stereo mode should work with a standard stock stereo cable.

My brother is claiming that really nothing is coming out from both mono outputs with the Vovox cable, which is somehow not plausible to me, and might indicate that something is wrong with the cable.

What would be the expected result if the stereo cable is used with another mono-only bass, one of the two mono jacks should get a signal, or?

I will ask my brother to test more systematically and also check as recommended whether the mono/stereo switch has any effect if used with a mono cable.

Will keep you updated...

Patrick

mr_patrick · « **Reply #5 on:** April 15, 2016, 08:02:26 AM »

Hi all,

Culprit was indeed the pickup selector switch, which my brother was apparently completely overlooking.

In 'stereo' pickup position, everything works as expected :-)

Patrick

5a_quilt_top · « **Reply #6 on:** April 15, 2016, 09:09:51 AM »

Ben 'dere, dun DAT.

;-)

First time I tried my Spyder, I thought the same thing - #1 faulty cable, #2 faulty bass...

After figuring out it was operator error re: position of selector switch, I felt like an extra on Fawlty Towers...

Glad it's sorted out for you 'cuz that beast sounds glorious through two amps - !

keith_h · « **Reply #7 on:** April 15, 2016, 10:43:35 AM »

Good to hear it was something simple. It doesn't surprise me that the switch was on standby as it is not something you see on many instruments.

Keith

mr_patrick · « **Reply #8 on:** April 17, 2016, 10:24:32 AM »

Hi all,

Yep, I'm looking forward to test the bass in stereo myself, but unfortunately, this might take weeks, or even months until I will make it to Germany again :-(

'Treble' pickup signal will go to an Ampeg V-4B/SVT-112AV, and the 'bass' pickup to an Ashdown ABM 500 Evo III/SVT-212AV.

Objective is to emulate John's sound he had at the beginning of the 80' with his Spyder and Stramp/Sunn rig, which I personally like best.

Let's see, if it is not sounding like John it is likely not the equipment's fault :-)

Patrick

5a_quilt_top · « **Reply #9 on:** April 18, 2016, 08:28:39 AM »

Sounds like you're on the way there re: tone.

IMO, just having the Spyder and the flexibility of a stereo rig will get you most of the way there. The rest, as they say, is in da fingas.

And, if you are as well-acquainted with his technique as I assume you are, you probably already know that ultra-low action will help immensely.

But, if your Spyder is anything like mine, you'll be able to get the action pretty low - maybe not quite as low as the man required (on the fingerboard) - but I was able to dial mine in to be as low as I could handle without too much string buzz.

Oh, one other thing - although all my Alembics have impressive sustain, none of them are as impressive as a Spyder. At moderate volume levels, the open A string would audibly sustain for 60 - 90 seconds without the aid of compression or other FX.

Oh yeah - you're gonna have some fun...