I would love some feedback on using a Series 1 without The DS- 5.Not new to the Alembic world,owning 5 in the past .first go around with The Series 1.Thanks
The biggest issue will be battery consumption. I understand that the S1 electronics reduce the lifespan of 9 volt batteries far more quickly than non-Series electronics.
So, if you're accustomed to getting 6 months - a year out of a battery with your other Alembics, it will be significantly less with Series instruments.
I always use a DS 5 power supply with my S1 and S2 basses, so I don't know how long the batteries last, but I'm sure there are other Forum members who have some experience with that.
I don't think I have ever used my Series bass without the external power supply so I am also not sure about battery life. If you are planning to use batteries until you can get a power supply from Alembic that seems fine but personally I would be reluctant to gig without the power supply.
Do you have the bass already and is the 1/4" output wired for stereo or mono? If it is wired in stereo and you use the batteries and a mono cable you are only going to get one pickup, so that is a consideration, too.
I do not have the bass yet,I was told using the battery I would only get one pick up.so I assume the 1/4" is stereo.I'm hoping its the neck pick up.do all the controls work when using on battery ?(the controls for that one pickup any way)When they come in from Alembic I would then get one.I would like to be able at least to use the Bass.Thanks for your input
I have a series bass too and have never used it live on batteries, just tried it out to check all was working. Mine came with a stereo to mono lead which gives me both pickups out to mono. All the controls still work when using the battery just like with the DS-5.
here is a link on how to create a lead.
http://club.alembicguitars.net/index.php?topic=275.0
You will get approximately 20 hours of life from brand new batteries.
C-Ya..........wayne
Sounds like the bass is wired in stereo so if you use the 1/4" jack with a mono cable the neck pickup will be the one that works, filter and Q switch will be fine, too. Luckily for you the DS-5 power supplies will be back in stock soon.
I am sure everyone is going to want to see pictures of the bass and also get your impressions of the instrument as you get to know it.
I use my Series I often with just the batteries. Pretty much all rehearsals
and even some gigs. As Wayne says, battery life is short, though I think
that I get a bit more then 20 hours. At a gig I make sure to unplug my bass
on breaks. Also, if there is any doubt about them lasting through the gig, I change
them out before hand. I have left the 1/4" jack stereo and I have a TRS to 1/4" cord
made with the summing resistors built into the connector on one end.
If you re also looking for a good amp, check out the Walter Woods listing discussed in the The Swap, Sell and Wish List section. It's got a built in power supply for Alembics.
Quote from: hammer on September 29, 2017, 01:51:58 PM
If you re also looking for a good amp, check out the Walter Woods listing discussed in the The Swap, Sell and Wish List section. It's got a built in power supply for Alembics.
That would be cool - getting your first Series I and also getting a Walter Woods amp tailor made for it!
The batteries don't last long depending upon how much you are playing. If you play a lot think in the term of weeks rather than months. Thing like neck LED's won't function either. If the bass doesn't have a stereo/mono switch you can make a stereo to mono cable. The instructions are here:
http://club.alembicguitars.net/index.php?topic=275.0 (http://club.alembicguitars.net/index.php?topic=275.0)
I'd also think about whether you are going to want the mini or the rack version. From what I understand the minis may be available soon...the rack mounts? I wouldn't hold my breath because it might be a while. I'm know some people prefer the minis but personally I prefer the rack mount versions.
Thanks for everyone's input.anyone know if Alembic can make me the cable?I'm weighing all options.currently bave a beautiful 83 Distillate.
Oops, I thought you meant five-pin cable. I bought the stereo to mono cable from Bayou Cables (link in HarleyBass' post below).
Bayou cable make them
http://bayoucables.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=35
John,
that is where I got one of mine...
So when you bought your cable,from bayou and you were able to use both pickups off the battery without any issues other than nuclear battery drain?
Yes, the Bayou cable has a stereo tip for your guitar and mono tip for your amp that combines the signal from both pickups. You hear sound from both pickups with their cable.
http://bayoucables.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=35&products_id=92
Yes, roger that. I try to pay attention to my tone and I carry
spare batteries in my case. I use the cord for hit and run situations
like rehearsals and opening sets, it makes breadowns go a little
quicker.
As others have said the cable in the link will allow you to used both pickups in a mono configuration. Butch at Bayou Cables does good work and his prices are reasonable. I have multiple signal and speaker cables he has made for me including a stereo to mono Y I use with my Brown Bass to run a stereo rig.
Here is a DS5 power supply on eBay
http://club.alembicguitars.net/index.php?topic=23157.0
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rare-Alembic-DS5-Power-Supply-For-Bass-Or-Guitar-Active-Pickup-Systems-w-Cable-/352176079834?hash=item51ff5483da:g:3~gAAOSwa75Z0C93
I buy my Series 5 pin cables from Bayou. I recommend them highly.
I often use my Series basses with batteries, usually at rehearsals where I don't feel like hauling a DS-5 around. Like others have said, you will get about 15-20 hours of life out of the 9 volts. Not great, but certainly workable.
I've also had my 1/4' jacks re-wired to mono so that I get both pickups when I use it that way. If you call Alembic they will give you simple "how-to" instructions for the mod.
Welcome back!
Steve's post made me go look at the FAQ for Series I/II 1/4" wiring thread. It contains the info on wiring mono or stereo. It says it is for the PF6 card. I don't know when these came into being but if the pictures and descriptions fit what you have this will show you how to convert the wiring.
http://club.alembicguitars.net/index.php?topic=270.0 (http://club.alembicguitars.net/index.php?topic=270.0)
George used LiPo 9v rechargeable batteries for quite a while successfully. They give about 20 hours on his series 2, running the LEDs as well as the electronics. He carried a spare set of fully charged ones. The advantage is it's quick to set up at a gig. He gigs a lot.
Recently he moved back to his DS5 as the 5 pin lead is better than the usual 1/4 Jack leads.
I dont have a DS5 at all. Pierre-Yves didnt have a spare one when he sold me his bass so I made myself one.
All the information needed to make one is freely available online.
This substitute runs from any USB source including an iphone charger. It has the usual stereo/mono output jacks. I use it for my series 1.
(https://oldgitblog.files.wordpress.com/2017/09/dscf9577.jpg?w=648&zoom=1)
I would still recommend a proper DS5 if you can get one.
Just received the stereo/mono cable from Bayou.works great,low noise.my series one has two 9 volts.I bought the duracell quantum.anyone have thoughts on the boogie man power supply?
He does a small unit that uses 2 wall warts to give the dual rail power. Crude but probably works. Expensive for what it is.
Quote from: Harleybass on October 11, 2017, 07:01:46 PM
anyone have thoughts on the boogie man power supply?
I personally would never give "The BoogieMan" any money for anything. He has been discussed many times here on the Club.
C-Ya............wayne
I figured I would check in,I got my 1985 Series one,bought my Bayou series one cable,all good,I've gotten about 6 hrs of rehearsal time so far out of both Duracell Quantum 9 volts.(about $7 for two batteries).I love the tone unbelievable to play,BUT,here comes the but,its very noisy at the 2 different rehearsal studios I've been in.not noisy at home on my rig,so bad sometimes between songs i flip the switch to standby.I read all about the RF issues with the series one any thoughts?Bring them on!
The first thing I would try to do is perform the hum cancelling procedure here:
http://club.alembicguitars.net/index.php?topic=269.0 (http://club.alembicguitars.net/index.php?topic=269.0)
For general info on Series I/II here is the FAQ page:
http://club.alembicguitars.net/index.php?board=23.0 (http://club.alembicguitars.net/index.php?board=23.0)