Am I a Luddite?

[Cochise]

For those that are unaware of British history, here's a excerpt from Wilipedia:

*****
The Luddites were a social movement of British textile artisans in the early nineteenth century who protested — often by destroying mechanized looms — against the changes produced by the Industrial Revolution, which they felt threatened their livelihood.
*****

Thus the term luddite is now used to describe someone who has an irrational fear of technology, or of technology letting them down.

Now, my only bass is an ash Warwick Corvette with active pups and MEC pre amp. I worry that the battery may run down mid gig, or that the pre may fry itself, or the pups may go down. It's so bad that I am considering ripping out the guts and going passive. I've got some Dimarzio UJs in my spares box so I'd only need to buy some pots. I know I should have a backup bass, but that's not an option at the moment.

So what do you think. Am I mad or just paranoid?

[BuffaloBass]

Just becasue you are paranoid, doesnt mean someone is not following you.

For the record I am a Luddite. Just swapped basses and the new one had to be passive. In the process of putting the world's best jazz pups in it, au naturiel.

No passive pull off? Batteries very rarely go. Carry a spare. Or.. find the best passive pups and go with it.

[Jazz Ad]

True luddites play acoustic instruments.

[fullrangebass]

Originally Posted by Jazz Ad

True luddites play acoustic instruments.

+1000

[Shoewreck]

Doesn't your bass have an active/passive switch (it's usually push-pull volume knob)? Having one may cure your paranoia.

[jasper383]

A true Luddite would only sing.

[Shoewreck]

Originally Posted by jasper383

A true Luddite would only sing.

And clap hands

[NickyBass]

I owned a Corvette a few years back. If I recall correctly, it had a push/pull knob for active/passive modes. I usually go passive, but only because I prefer the tone. I'd say, let the tone be the judge. I played that Wick on a tone of gigs, 3 to 4 nights a week. My battery died exactly once, and I just pulled up the passive knob. I lost about 2 beats over the coarse of 200 gigs due to active electronics. No biggie. The tone was right for that project, and I went with it.

[r379]

Originally Posted by BuffaloBass

In the process of putting the world's best jazz pups in it, au naturiel.

And those would be what?

[A9X]

Originally Posted by Cochise

Now, my only bass is an ash Warwick Corvette with active pups and MEC pre amp. I worry that the battery may run down mid gig, or that the pre may fry itself, or the pups may go down.

Get therapy. Do you worry that the EFI in your car will suddenly fry itself in the middle of an intersection?
Analog audio electronics are simple, stable old tech. Very reliable. Change you battery in a regular program, like 6 monthly and just play.

[BuffaloBass]

Originally Posted by r379

And those would be what?

Aeros, Sir. They would be Aeros.

[anonymous278347457]

It must suck playing an electric bass with no amp, since your so paranoid that will blow up too

[abarson]

Invest some extra $$ and get a lithium battery. It should last you years.

[thombo]

bobby mcferrin = musical luddite

[BuffaloBass]

The only time I really needed a pre was when thee sound kidz wouldnt DI off my MESA amp, but had me plug into this freaking 10 meter cable. Passive pups would have had a really hard time with that. NExt time I'll insist it goes through the preamp stage of my amp.

" Dont worry, be Happy!".. for sure.....

Aftwer Mohammed figures out how to pop EMP bombs, we'll all be playin' uprights! Or wash basins strung with wire and a broomstick!

No matter, I'll FUNK THAT UP too!

[BadB]

Originally Posted by abarson

Invest some extra $$ and get a lithium battery. It should last you years.

I was thinking more like lithium, as in the medication. Might help with a phobia of this sort.

[cybersnyder]

Do whatever gets you the best tone 99% of the time and carry a backup.

[projectMalamute]

I pulled the active stuff out of my Warwickand replaced them with passive Bartolinis, no knobs even, straight to the jack. I did this because I prefer the sound of this set of pickups(I've had them forever, they always end up in whatever bass I'm playing eventually), I don't think you need to worry about sudden catastrophic battery failure. One other thing, the MEC golds are active pickups, that switch bypasses the pre but you still need a battery for the pickups to work.

[Cochise]

Originally Posted by thedonutman

It must suck playing an electric bass with no amp, since your so paranoid that will blow up too

What amp? I've got 392 yards of string and 200 baked bean cans. I reckon that equates to about a 300 watt rig (to play a 200 seat house without PA support). Bigger venue-I gotta eat more beans and get more string The added benefit of this is that I'm only 24 hours away from a breakthrough in the search for the legendary brown note!!!!

Errr-no flaming either please, it could be devastating for this corner of the British Isles

[Showdown]

I wouldn't worry about the battery too much. You should get 6 months out of them, and if you are really paranoid change them sooner. In 10 years of gigging with active basses I've only had one battery go dead during a gig (I discovered it before we started playing, it didn't die mid set), and it wasn't completely dead (they don't just die, they start distorting first). Take extra batteries and you will be fine.

I sometimes (when I remember) put a sticker on the battery with the date I changed it. Then I can keep track and change it after 3 or 4 months.