Aguilar OBP-1 at 9V?

jzucker · #1 07-02-2007, 11:26 AM

Anyone know if it's possible to mod this preamp to run on a single 9V battery?

luknfur · #2 07-03-2007, 02:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jzucker

Anyone know if it's possible to mod this preamp to run on a single 9V battery?

FWIW:

Less is not going to damage anything to check it out - which I usually always do cause I don't want one battery let alone more. Simple to wire it both ways and A/B and make your choice. In recall I ran an OBP-1 I had on 9v cause I couldn't tell any difference. You may have to change batteries more often.

jzucker · #3 07-03-2007, 04:06 AM

the point is, I want to find out before I buy it!

ibz · #4 07-08-2007, 07:17 PM

I've heard it can, just not as optimally at 9V.

Also, I've seen Nino use some trick w/ a voltage doubler on one of his jazzes so it uses one 9V battery but still run a 18V.

Jeramy · #5 07-08-2007, 07:28 PM

My Spector runs on a single 9 volt with the OBP-1 but it also has a voltage doubler in it that makes the 9 volt put out 17.6 volts.

jzucker · #6 07-08-2007, 07:28 PM

where can i get the schem for the doubler?

Bobbo 77" · #7 07-08-2007, 07:56 PM

Órale,
Yes, it can. My Marcus 4 string run's on one battery, and I also called and checked with a tech at aguilar. He also said no noticeable tone loss.
Bobbo 77'

luknfur · #8 07-08-2007, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jzucker

where can i get the schem for the doubler?

FWIW:

on the Aguilar, Bart, or EMG sites among others.

jzucker · #9 07-08-2007, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luknfur

FWIW:

on the Aguilar, Bart, or EMG sites among others.

I saw no schem for a doubler on the Aguilar site. Furthermore, Aguilar offered no such solution when I emailed them...

luknfur · #10 07-08-2007, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jzucker

I saw no schem for a doubler on the Aguilar site. Furthermore, Aguilar offered no such solution when I emailed them...

FWIW:

my screw up. By doubler I thought you were talking the 18v setup. The "voltage doubler" must be a Spec thing cause I've not heard of it elsewhere so that's probably where you'd have to go for it. As far as I know it would have to be an additional component of some type (some kind of transformer) not just a wiring thing.

ibz · #11 07-09-2007, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luknfur

FWIW:

my screw up. By doubler I thought you were talking the 18v setup. The "voltage doubler" must be a Spec thing cause I've not heard of it elsewhere so that's probably where you'd have to go for it. As far as I know it would have to be an additional component of some type (some kind of transformer) not just a wiring thing.

Hi yes, there is an additional component that you need to wire into the circut somewhere.

I'm grey on this area simply because I haven't researched it. This schematic and approach hopefully will help...
http://www.diystompboxes.com/pedals/vdbl.html

luknfur · #12 07-09-2007, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ibz

Hi yes, there is an additional component that you need to wire into the circut somewhere.

I'm grey on this area simply because I haven't researched it. This schematic and approach hopefully will help...
http://www.diystompboxes.com/pedals/vdbl.html

Interesting. Wonder if it was something along the lines of this thing guys were recently talking about using a transformer for passive boost control?

20db pad · #13 07-09-2007, 06:12 PM

I've been running an OBP 1 with a single 9v for years, with no problems at all. Aguilar says the internal bias of the pre changes when using a single 9v, along with the loss of headroom that they say occurs. Nevertheless, it still sounds good to me.

ibz · #14 07-09-2007, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luknfur

Interesting. Wonder if it was something along the lines of this thing guys were recently talking about using a transformer for passive boost control?

I haven't followed much tech talk about passive boosting, other than I know exists... Also, the chip mentioned in that article only deals with + dc signals.

This is the chip.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Compact-Voltage-...QQcmdZViewItem

But at this rate try running it at 9v and see if it works "ok" for you, or beg Nino to share his secrets.

Nino Valenti · #15 07-09-2007, 07:18 PM

There is no secret.

Fishman used to make a Voltage Doubler. Spector used to use them in their basses when they used the OBP-1 in the Euro basses.

Unfortunately, I tried to order more from Fishman and they have been discontinued.

jzucker · #16 07-09-2007, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nino Valenti

There is no secret.

Fishman used to make a Voltage Doubler. Spector used to use them in their basses when they used the OBP-1 in the Euro basses.

Unfortunately, I tried to order more from Fishman and they have been discontinued.

So what are you doing now? Using an 18v power supply?

Jeramy · #17 07-11-2007, 03:18 PM

Check with spector. I contacted them about a year ago about buying a voltage doubler and they said they would sell me one but I can’t remember the price they quoted. I ended up getting an OBP-3 and didn't need the doubler.