Duncan STC-3p, 18V battery box and Ibanez SR800

[Ruoska]

Hey guys!

I'm thinking of upgrading my SR800 (currently wired passive with 2vol/2tone and Duncan SJB/SPB-2 pups) with a Duncan STC-3p pre. Now I just hate it when an instrument doesn't have a battery box and the SR800 doesn't. I don't wanna go messing around with the delicate wiring and whatnot when I only need to change the battery. So here's my master plan: I'll put in a 18V Gotoh battery box.

Now there's two ways it's gonna be:
1) route a separate space for it next to the control cavity
2) install the battery box in the cavity cover, like this: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Now #1 would be pretty cool but I also like the bass a lot and have had it for a few years, I don't wanna mess it up cos I'm not a master woodcraftsman or whatever =) There's just one thing with option #2...the 18V box is almost twice the size of that box in the picture. Does anyone know if there's any chance it'll actually fit in there with the STC-3 and the pots and everything?

Also if you can think of any other preamps in the same price range (I've been recommened Aguilars but these cost more) that do a better job, or cheaper preamps that do the same job, I'd be grateful for all ideas =)

Thanks!

 

[Rogatywka]

I've been thinking about doing almost the same thing with my SR800 once I scrape together the dough.

I haven't made the measurements yet, but I think an Aggie OBP-1 and the 18V battery box will both fit in the cavity. If the spacing with the pots and preamp doesn't quite work out, there may be room for two separate 9V's, but that's just from eyeballing it. Don't know about the Duncan, though. I'll also be replacing my stock pickups with EMGs.

So yeah, I guess I'm almost in the same boat as you. Please post any progress, and I'll do the same.

 

[onlyclave]

I have a SR885 that I upgraded the pickups and preamp to Bartolinis and a NTMB. The stock cavity will hold the pots, battery and the preamp which is the same size and a 9v battery. Aside from that there is no more room.

 

[Rogatywka]

Okay, so I made some measurements today, and it doesn't look promising. The only spot on the cavity plate that will accommodate the 18V box is right over center of the cavity (and it's a tight fit at that), so unless there are magical paper-thin pots out there somewhere, we're out of luck.

Seems like it's a no-go for the in-cavity battery box.

 

[Ruoska]

I guess it's routing time then, as I'm pretty convinced that a battery box is the way to go. Maybe it'd be just a little too easy if it actually fit on the cavity plate. While I've heard stories of peoples' Ibz active electronics dying after a while I still have this vague feeling that if I never had to open up the control cavity in the first place, the Varimid III wouldn't have died on the SR800. So when I get my new preamp installed I'll want to avoid messing around in there.

I'm actually living abroad at the moment and my bass is in the gentle care of our guitarist meanwhile, but I'll get back home to Finland in a few months and this luthier dude from my neighbourhood offered to let me use his powertools to do it. I guess it's just matter of being slow and careful so the paint doesn't chip. Oh man if I could just find an SR810 with that sweet natural dark wood finish ;-)

Anyway it'll be a while till I'll be getting around to doing it, but I will definitely post a message or two on the subject when I get it done. Maybe even get some photos =) If you get it done before me, please write a bit about it so I may avoid any n00b pitfalls you may discover =)

 

[Ruoska]

Ok, so I'm finally back in Finland and started working on the bass. Took out my old wirings and started hooking the Duncan STC-3p up. Here's a few things you might need to look out for, I noticed:

1) The pre-harnessed pots have pretty wide shafts, meaning they're won't fit thru the holes on the bass unless you widen the holes a bit with a drill. My drill is at work, so I'll continue the installation tomorrow. Damned!

2) The passive version comes with a stereo jack just in case you're installing on a passive bass which only has a mono jack. The jack it comes with is really really short, and would only fit the front plate of a Fender. As the Ibanezes have the jack on the side, it needs to be an inch longer. Luckily for us SR800 owners, the bass already has a stereo jack. However this could be problem for someone upgrading a passive SoundGear like some GSR200 or something.

I'll let you guys know how it goes tomorrow when I get it hooked up finally.