| Author | Message | ||
| deanjohnson
New Username: deanjohnson Post Number: 7 Registered: 8-2007 |
Last night, my Spyder failed about 30 minutes into a gig. Initally, my amp (David Eden) sounded like a fuzzbox had been turned on, it steadily got worse. Tried resetting everything, replaced the four 9v batteries, checked all cables and switches. When put back into amp, the fuzz was gone and Spyder now sounded like a compressor had been turned on full blast - lower notes present initial "boom" and then rapidy decay to no volume, upper notes produce no apparent sound. I hope someone can help me! Dean Johnson djohnson16@sc.rr.com | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 7875 Registered: 5-2002 |
The four 9v batteries are for the LEDs. There should be a separate battery for the bass. | ||
| deanjohnson
New Username: deanjohnson Post Number: 8 Registered: 8-2007 |
Oh Gadfry! Now I do look stupid. I never removed the plate that covers the primary controls until I read your answer. Sure enough, a fifth battery in Spyder. Put a new one in and now she sings and roars again. As an aside, this means that 9v has lasted over two years. That's amazing! Thank you for the super-fast answer! | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 7878 Registered: 5-2002 |
Congrats!!! | ||
| ajdover
Senior Member Username: ajdover Post Number: 712 Registered: 11-2003 |
Dean, If it's any solace ... A while back I noticed a lot of distortion coming through my rig. I don't use a distortion pedal, so I was confused. Figured it was a battery, so I changed it. Same result. One day, I noticed that the Morley Bass Wah that I use has a level knob. It was close to pegged. I backed it off a bit and voila - no more distortion. Boy, did I feel like an idiot! Glad to hear my old bass is serving you well. My custom Spyder (Exploiter, actually) should be done soon. Best regards, Alan | ||
| mario_farufyno
Member Username: mario_farufyno Post Number: 90 Registered: 9-2008 |
Don't be shy about it, some years ago I argued with the sound guy and strongly blamed the Amp before notice dead battery was the problem. First thing I noticed when I got to the Sound Check was a Hartke Rig, wich I simply hate big time. So, when I plugged my bass on it and the sound was crap (low gain and distorted), I instantly complained about the Amp (because they changed the equipement we previously requested). We always demand Ampeg or GK Rigs since these are the best brands usually available in brazilian's rented audio gear supliers. But they always change it to cheaper Beringher and Hartke gears (that unfortunattely sound cheap, too), so I was really dissatisfied. I was starting to be really nasty with the Sound Crew when this thought crossed my mind: "When did I changed Battery last time?" And this strucked me like a punch: It was my fault! It certanly was the Batery that failed and the Amp was probably fine. My face grew red and my neck started to burn on shame's flame. I had no nerve to admit it, I confess... I went out the stage telling them to check cables and DI again, ran right to backstage and hide myself behind some cases while I quickly changed the battery (in secret) and return back after a while to see "if they solved the problem". No one never understood what realy hapened and how the problem could solved itself alone. Man, is awfull when you find yourself acting like an ass... I should have apologized, but I was so ashamed that I couldn't help admit it in front of everyone. I simply expressed my gratitude for them in fixing the problem so quickly and learned to think better before yelling with someone. They should have mantained the stipulated gear, but if I was more polite I shouldn't be so ashamed... | ||
| deanjohnson
New Username: deanjohnson Post Number: 9 Registered: 8-2007 |
Ahhh, so much attention from so many nice people! Alan, soooo good to hear from you again. Yes, 7 of 50 is ruling the roost again - sounding better than ever (amazing what a little $4.00 battery can do!). I check this site every so often hoping to see photos of your new Exploiter coming along. I really look forward to seeing it and hearing what you think of her. How is the school going? I trust you and your lovely wife are doing well. Mario, thank you for chiming in. Yes my friend - some of our best jokes are the ones we play on ourselves. I had already called my lead player to fill him in on the "Miraculous Recovery". He had a good laugh too. I checked your profile, found your web site and am currently listening to you and your band. Very nice and I see you playing your Alembic. Sad that I only know English - your music is very good, and your bass sounds good. Listening to "Nem Vem que Nao Tem" right now. Happy music! Thank you all, and thank you Alembic for making wonderful instruments and running this site for us. Dean I used to have a Hartke 300 with 2x10 and 1x15. The 15 shorted out two months ago and my local music store took it in on trade to a David Eden WTX260 with D215XLT cabinet. I am MUCH happier with it (not to mention the WTX260 only weighs 3.8 pounds). | ||
| terryc
Senior Member Username: terryc Post Number: 769 Registered: 11-2004 |
Oh how many times I have read this story, we are all guilty of it though. Start at the front. Battery Cable Amp Speaker And 99.9999999999999999999999999% it is the battery. It is amazing how 9v of Duracell can produce so much happiness and relief(read into that at your leisure!!!) I once remember a guitarist who was having a panic attack because his amp wasn't working until I pointed it out that it was not plugged into the mains. Less is more | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 2257 Registered: 2-2006 |
Dean, you got TWO YEARS out of one battery AND in an Alembic. WOW! Of all the active basses I've used I'd say my Alembics go through batteries the fastest. Of course they also sound the best too. I'm lucky to get 6 months out of one battery and I don't the same bass every week either. OO | ||
| bsee
Senior Member Username: bsee Post Number: 2284 Registered: 3-2004 |
The only surprise to me on the battery is how quickly it can go from sounding great to absolute crap. | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 2259 Registered: 2-2006 |
I agree Bob. They die an instant death. OO | ||
| jacko
Senior Member Username: jacko Post Number: 2177 Registered: 10-2002 |
perhaps that's an indication that the circuit is so efficient it's eking out every last drop of voltage from the battery. graeme | ||
| terryc
Senior Member Username: terryc Post Number: 772 Registered: 11-2004 |
It's all to do with amps not volts..the capacity of a alkaline 9V cell is about 500 to 550mAh. So if the circuit is drawing 100mA then it should last 5 hours(500/100 = 5) It's the capacity that the circuit depends on, the amount of 'electrical fuel' that is in the battery. Once that is used up, just like a car without petrol, you end up stranded looking for a gas station. That is why you still get a tingle on the tongue if you 'taste' the battery.The volts are the last to stop after the amps. |
