sdgrsr400 Posted July 8, 2009 Share Posted July 8, 2009 Having just acquired an active bass, I need to remember to unplug it after practice at home. Any tips for avoiding that DOH! moment when you come back a day or two later and the battery is flat... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finbar Posted July 8, 2009 Share Posted July 8, 2009 I always unplug anyway... Maybe leave your stand far enough away from where you practice that you are forced to unplug? Or leave a note on your stand reminding you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eight Posted July 8, 2009 Share Posted July 8, 2009 Active basses are a goddamn nuisance. From now on, I'm only buying passive ones - for precisely the reason that I can not remember to unplug them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
budget bassist Posted July 8, 2009 Share Posted July 8, 2009 i have a sidejack on my warwick so it won't sit right in the stand with a jack still in there, though i have had that moment a few times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hitchy64 Posted July 8, 2009 Share Posted July 8, 2009 Yes, it is a pain to unplug every time but you soon get into the habit. I bought my Active Fender Jazz last July and its still got the same Duracell Plus 9v battery in it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musky Posted July 8, 2009 Share Posted July 8, 2009 (edited) A mate bought a Precision a few years back, and after a week the thing is farting away. So rather irate, he returns to the shop. "You've sold me a duff bass mate." "Er, have you changed the battery?" "What battery...?" Edited July 8, 2009 by Musky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sdgrsr400 Posted July 8, 2009 Author Share Posted July 8, 2009 Actually, what I'd like is if the "pull-for-passive" switch would disconnect the battery (I have confirmed it doesn't on my Lakland). I reckon I could more easily get into the habit of using that as an on-off switch. Maybe there would be switch-on thumps if it operated that way... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stingray5 Posted July 8, 2009 Share Posted July 8, 2009 If you happen to forget to unplug, make sure you at least have a good quality alkaline battery in there such as, as previously mentioned, a Duracell Plus or Ultra or similar. Even left plugged in, I would expect more than 2 days use (unless of course the battery is at the end of it's life!). I always keep a couple of fresh batteries in my gig box too, along with a battery checker. (My wireless battery pack goes through far more 9v's than my bass ever does). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashevans09 Posted July 8, 2009 Share Posted July 8, 2009 [quote name='Stingray5' post='536116' date='Jul 8 2009, 11:44 PM'](My wireless battery pack goes through far more 9v's than my bass ever does).[/quote] Ah! Those things eat batteries! One of the reasons I've switched back to cables, can't afford it lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stingray5 Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 [quote name='ashevans09' post='536129' date='Jul 9 2009, 12:20 AM']Ah! Those things eat batteries! One of the reasons I've switched back to cables, can't afford it lol.[/quote] Yeh, I'm not averse to going wired when needs must. But the less spaghetti around my feet, the better! And when I have room, I do like to run around a bit... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldGit Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 [quote name='Stingray5' post='536116' date='Jul 8 2009, 11:44 PM']If you happen to forget to unplug, make sure you at least have a good quality alkaline battery in there such as, as previously mentioned, a Duracell Plus or Ultra or similar. Even left plugged in, I would expect more than 2 days use (unless of course the battery is at the end of it's life!). I always keep a couple of fresh batteries in my gig box too, along with a battery checker. (My wireless battery pack goes through far more 9v's than my bass ever does).[/quote] +1 Just get used to unplugging your bass... also between setting up and playing and between sets. My bass wireless transmitter lasts a good few gigs and has a battery status indicator so I can check it before setting foot on stage Our radio mics use 9v PP3's though and eat them up . We've found the best longevity/cost balance to be B&Q's own brands .. they seem to do two gigs easily, three sometimes. We started out using rechargables in the mics but they just don't last a gig, even good ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shambo Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 Having just read the OP, I've looked across the room at my active Status Shark and noticed I've left it plugged in for the last 2 days... DOH! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Major-Minor Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 You guys are SO lucky........ my wife makes me tidy all my instruments away every night ! The Major Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevB Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 Doesn't anyone use rechargeable batteries? For anything that eats up batteries, be it wireless kit, pedals or active basses that aren't unplugged the trick is to have a decent number of backups and a recharging kit then you just recylcle them. Works out far cheaper in the long run, especially things like 9V batteries. I even use them on my wireless Samson transmitter and that only uses a tiny AAA job! Rechargers that have multiple inputs for 9V to AAA batteries are reasonably cheap now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tauzero Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 I use 9V rechargeables on wireless gear (as does Mrs Zero for her wireless mic), and 9V Duracell/Procell or other long-life PP3 for the basses. I also use a Tanglewood tuner which takes a 9V battery so I have an emergency spare... I've got into the habit of pulling the lead part-out of the amp and unplugging it from the bass every time I take the bass off. It seems to work, all but one of my basses are active and the batteries last ages. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Telebass Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 Samson uses a AAA, the bass unit uses a brick. The AAAs last three gigs, not a great expense. I will NEVER use an active bass. If I need that much output, I simply plug in the humbucking Telecaster Bass... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hot Tub Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 TBH, what I'd really like is a little miniature switch for ON/OFF. That way the bass can be left plugged in all the time. I mean, how hard can it be? Why don't the manufacturers do this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thedontcarebear Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 [quote name='Hot Tub' post='536263' date='Jul 9 2009, 10:43 AM']TBH, what I'd really like is a little miniature switch for ON/OFF. That way the bass can be left plugged in all the time. I mean, how hard can it be? Why don't the manufacturers do this?[/quote] Because it's not a complex task to take the lead out? I do with every guitar and bass I own, whether they are active or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tauzero Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 Most (if not all) active basses are switched on through using a stereo socket as the output, and bridging between the ring and sleeve connections to connect the battery to ground. So what you could do is make up an instrument lead using a mono jack at one end and a stereo one at the other, with screen going to sleeve, and then wire a switch in between ring and sleeve connections on the plug. Alternatively, just unplug it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hot Tub Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 Yeah, sorry, what I meant to say was that with continual plugging and unplugging the socket can get quite loose over time. I guess that leaving an instrument plugged in until the battery dies is a bit like riding off with the disc lock on. Everyone does it. Once. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarnacleBob Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 [quote name='thedontcarebear' post='536265' date='Jul 9 2009, 10:44 AM']Because it's not a complex task to take the lead out? I do with every guitar and bass I own, whether they are active or not.[/quote] Lead out at all times when said bass is not round neck - u trip over that cable and ur pride and joy is going down (and not in the good way!) BB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 [quote name='BarnacleBob' post='536296' date='Jul 9 2009, 11:15 AM']....Lead out at all times when said bass is not round neck - u trip over that cable and ur pride and joy is going down (and not in the good way!)....[/quote] +1. But, why would you have your bass plugged in when you're not using it? Currently my battery gets changed every 12 months, the old one goes into the tuner and the old tuner batteries go into the smoke alarms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldGit Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 [quote name='KevB' post='536250' date='Jul 9 2009, 10:27 AM']Doesn't anyone use rechargeable batteries? For anything that eats up batteries, be it wireless kit, pedals or active basses that aren't unplugged the trick is to have a decent number of backups and a recharging kit then you just recylcle them. Works out far cheaper in the long run, especially things like 9V batteries. I even use them on my wireless Samson transmitter and that only uses a tiny AAA job! Rechargers that have multiple inputs for 9V to AAA batteries are reasonably cheap now.[/quote] We did but our mics eat them and we were getting those "low power" farts and pops by half way through the second set .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldGit Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 (edited) [quote name='Hot Tub' post='536263' date='Jul 9 2009, 10:43 AM']TBH, what I'd really like is a little miniature switch for ON/OFF. That way the bass can be left plugged in all the time. I mean, how hard can it be? Why don't the manufacturers do this?[/quote] Just do it yourself - can't be that hard. I am sure there's a wiring diagramme around somewhere. Edit: All you'd need is a slider switch in your battery cover to break the red wire to the battery. Mind you then you'd have to remember to switch it off .. Edited July 9, 2009 by OldGit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cytania Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 Even once you get the habit I find it just takes an interrupted practice and you'll be cursing the next morning when you see the cable still in. I'm sorely tempted to get my Ibanez SRX400 rewired as passive, particularly as both pots are real crackley now... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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