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Alembic Club » Alembic Basses & Guitars » Archive through January 07, 2011 » Archive: 2009 » Archive through October 16, 2009 » External Power for Spoiler « Previous Next »

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rjscollo
New
Username: rjscollo

Post Number: 3
Registered: 5-2009
Posted on Monday, August 31, 2009 - 2:33 pm:   Edit Post

Could anyone tell me if there's a setup for external power for an 83 spoiler? Perhaps using a Boss PSA power supply. I have constant paranoia about battery's dieing in the middle of a gig. I figure if the instrument has to be plugged into the amp, then why not power too. Any thoughts?
dela217
Senior Member
Username: dela217

Post Number: 986
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Monday, August 31, 2009 - 3:04 pm:   Edit Post

Alembic set up one of my basses with Anniversary electronics for the 5 pin power supply. I guess it can be done for the Spoiler too. It would just be mono instead of stereo. That way, it takes the same cable as my Series basses.

Michael
rjscollo
New
Username: rjscollo

Post Number: 5
Registered: 5-2009
Posted on Tuesday, September 01, 2009 - 7:08 am:   Edit Post

Thanks Michael, I was wondering if I could tap into the + and - of the battery connection and install an input as used in the boss pedals, provided the voltages are correct. The mechanical aspect is simple enough, I just need to know if voltage and other aspects are correct. All thoughts appreciated, Thanks, Bob
rjscollo
New
Username: rjscollo

Post Number: 6
Registered: 5-2009
Posted on Tuesday, September 01, 2009 - 7:15 am:   Edit Post

83 Spoiler
georgie_boy
Senior Member
Username: georgie_boy

Post Number: 930
Registered: 8-2005
Posted on Tuesday, September 01, 2009 - 7:26 am:   Edit Post

Beautiful top!!!!
fc_spoiler
Senior Member
Username: fc_spoiler

Post Number: 961
Registered: 5-2006
Posted on Tuesday, September 01, 2009 - 7:30 am:   Edit Post

My guess is that if you go for the diy method, It's much more likely to get problems onstage...

I never had a battery faillure in more then ten years, change the battery each year and you'll be fine ;-)

Nice (very nice) Spoiler and welcome!
lmiwa
Advanced Member
Username: lmiwa

Post Number: 252
Registered: 2-2008
Posted on Tuesday, September 01, 2009 - 9:58 am:   Edit Post

Most basses have a stereo jack and use the mono plug to short from the ring to the sleeve to connect the battery.

If you're really creative, you could wire a stereo cable to supply the power to the bass (tip = signal+, ring = +9V, sleeve = signal & 9V grounds). You would need to create a box that has the stereo jack to the bass cable, a 9V power input jack, and a mono out jack to your amp. You'll also need to short across the 9v connector inside your bass.

You'll probably want to add supply filtering inside your box as well, since most wall warts are not filtered and will cause your bass to hum.

All in all, it's quite a bit of hassle, which is why I've never actually done it. Getting good 9V batteries and changing them regularly is a lot easier and cheaper.
rjscollo
New
Username: rjscollo

Post Number: 7
Registered: 5-2009
Posted on Tuesday, September 01, 2009 - 12:29 pm:   Edit Post

Thanks Guys, I've been using "Ultralife" 9V Lithium batteries which work great and last a lot longer then standard Duracells, although more expensive. I generally put in 3 hours a day of practice, plus gigs and rehearsals. Batteries haven't a prayer of lasting a year. If I practice on my 69 Fender Pbass, the neck scale is different so it screws me up. Especially when reading.
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 6363
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Tuesday, September 01, 2009 - 12:43 pm:   Edit Post

What opamp is in your Spoiler? If you've never replaced it, it's likely that the newer ones will greatly extend your battery life and it's an easy and cheap part to switch out.
mario_farufyno
Advanced Member
Username: mario_farufyno

Post Number: 259
Registered: 9-2008
Posted on Wednesday, September 02, 2009 - 7:43 am:   Edit Post

Two questionings:

- Getting the power going trough the same cord that runs the signal doesn't causes noise induction (hum)? In studios we always avoid laying cords alongside power cables...

- Using ordinary power suplies in the same outlet of the rest of your gear can't bring ground loop noise to Alembic's eletronics?

(Message edited by Mario Farufyno on September 02, 2009)
tdukes
Intermediate Member
Username: tdukes

Post Number: 152
Registered: 4-2008
Posted on Wednesday, September 02, 2009 - 7:51 am:   Edit Post

I don't think you would have much induced noise since the power going to the instrument is DC. The power cables laying around your studio are probably AC. There may be some noise on the DC which may enter your signal, but its probably not through induction. It probably directly modulates the signal since it is powering the electronics.

I don't know about the ground loop.

Todd.
lbpesq
Senior Member
Username: lbpesq

Post Number: 4073
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Wednesday, September 02, 2009 - 7:57 am:   Edit Post

The Tribute I recently picked up at the World Guitar Show was wired by the original owner to be externally powered through the effects loop. I believe it was a fairly simple operation that the owner performed himself with some guidance from Alembic. I'll be bringing it up to the mothership this week to have it returned to stock.

Bill, tgo
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 8687
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Wednesday, September 02, 2009 - 8:00 am:   Edit Post

Mario; I can assure you that on an Alembic Series instrument, having the power and the signal in the same cable is not an issue.
tdukes
Intermediate Member
Username: tdukes

Post Number: 153
Registered: 4-2008
Posted on Wednesday, September 02, 2009 - 8:00 am:   Edit Post

Congratulations on your new Tribute Bill!

Todd.
mario_farufyno
Advanced Member
Username: mario_farufyno

Post Number: 262
Registered: 9-2008
Posted on Wednesday, September 02, 2009 - 6:30 pm:   Edit Post

Thanks, Todd, now I understood it. I've always assumed it would the same with DC and AC, but you're right - it is just what matters.
sonicus
Advanced Member
Username: sonicus

Post Number: 300
Registered: 5-2009
Posted on Wednesday, September 02, 2009 - 6:45 pm:   Edit Post

The EBS MicroBass II offers phantom power . Check it out for compatibility.
rjscollo
New
Username: rjscollo

Post Number: 8
Registered: 5-2009
Posted on Thursday, September 03, 2009 - 8:47 am:   Edit Post

Mica, I believe the opamp is original. Can you tell me what the exact replacement part is. I'd like to order it. Thanks, Bob
adriaan
Senior Member
Username: adriaan

Post Number: 2291
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Friday, September 04, 2009 - 2:04 am:   Edit Post

Mica - do you recommend replacing the opamp on instruments built before a given year?

Just wondering about my 88 Spoiler - although I can't remember the last time I changed the battery (that's life as a living room noodler).
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 6367
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Friday, September 04, 2009 - 4:05 pm:   Edit Post

I don't have records that help me recall exactly what year the new opamps came into play. Just check the IC and see if it's a TLE2024, that's the new one.
rjscollo
New
Username: rjscollo

Post Number: 9
Registered: 5-2009
Posted on Thursday, September 10, 2009 - 11:43 am:   Edit Post

Thanks Mica, The Serial # is 83S2844. The IC reads,
Harris HA1-4741 8141 and written in blue marker is 770. I hope that helps. Please let me know. Thanks, Bob
adriaan
Senior Member
Username: adriaan

Post Number: 2298
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Thursday, September 10, 2009 - 3:48 pm:   Edit Post

The IC in my 88 Spoiler has an H logo (Harris?) with code "A3-5144-5" and beneath that "Ä8725".

[edit: Well, not an Ä but a delta.]

(Message edited by adriaan on September 10, 2009)
rjscollo
New
Username: rjscollo

Post Number: 10
Registered: 5-2009
Posted on Thursday, September 17, 2009 - 11:20 am:   Edit Post

Does anyone know if this is the correct IC http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180345568837&ssPageName=ADME:B:EOIBSA:US:1123

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