Embedding effects in a bass?

[Jisch]

Does anyone have experience in embedding an effect in bass? I am about to put an octave effect into my stumpy and am wondering how best to get power to it. I think it will consume too much power to make batteries acceptable. I am not sure if using a stereo plug would lead to noise/hum having that run in the same cable as the outbound audio.

 

[charlie monroe]

I think you can use an XLR to provide power.

 

[Jisch]

I can use a TRS on a 1/4" to provide power, I'm just wondering if there will be issues with hum. I was thinking of running power on that third connection, but on a standard TRS cable that third wire is inside the braid.

 

[RBS_Johnson]

Not to be a downer, but with an external power supply and special cords and stuff, when does it become less convent than just using an external pedal?

That said, carry on. I really enjoy all the old oddball guitars with built in effects!

-Jake

 

[craigie]

Sounds like bad idea jeans. You need something that connects a power source to that third wire which is the ground I believe so you need an external box for He power supply anyway. Harmless enough if you connect your bass directly to an input. If you swap the connections however and connect the powered “ground” to some input that uses a balanced cable like say a mixer what happens then? Something will be fried. I hope not you.

 

[JACink]

How about building a phone or small tablet battery inside and have a USB (C if possible for quick charge) connection to charge it when you aren't playing (and even when you are depending on where you put the connection).

 

[Jisch]

Sounds like bad idea jeans. You need something that connects a power source to that third wire which is the ground I believe so you need an external box for He power supply anyway. Harmless enough if you connect your bass directly to an input. If you swap the connections however and connect the powered “ground” to some input that uses a balanced cable like say a mixer what happens then? Something will be fried. I hope not you.

This is low voltage and low amperage, could fry a mixer or something, but not me :-D

 

[Jisch]

How about building a phone or small tablet battery inside and have a USB (C if possible for quick charge) connection to charge it when you aren't playing (and even when you are depending on where you put the connection).

That's a great idea. I'll have to see if I can find a 9v battery. I use rechargeable batteries for mountain bike night riding, but they are 8.4V, not enough for the preamp or effect, I suspect.

 

[Jisch]

I found these guitars which appear to use a 1/4" TRS to get power to the instrument: Invalid Link Removed

 

[RBS_Johnson]

Most preamps can usually go higher, what about an RC car battery? You can get lipo's in 11ish volts, not sure about nickel metal hydride batterys.

 

[Jisch]

I just looked and there are a plethora of options for batteries, I have to look at room inside the cavity. I think I'll have to take the octave pedal apart first to see what kind of room I need for that then I can figure out the remaining room for a battery. BTW Wing basses does this with their basses. I forgot that preamps can typically take 18v, thanks for that reminder!

 

[Bruce Johnson]

As far as your original idea goes, there shouldn't be any issue with hum. The power running up the third wire of the TRS cable will be low voltage DC, probably 9V. That's not going to create hum.

If it were mine, I'd put in a modest-sized rechargeable battery, one large enough to get you through a normal evening of playing. Then put in a separate smaller cord coming from a power supply on the floor. You can use it to recharge the battery, or if necessary, plug it in to power directly while you are playing.

 

[Deleted member 165050]

I run 9v through a standard DC cable to my NS Design cello, but that is then going to an Xotic voltage doubler to bump it up to 18v which then goes to the battery snaps in place of the usual two onboard batteries. It means an extra cable running to the instrument, but also means the audio signal path is unmodified. No hum problems.

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

Does anyone have experience in embedding an effect in bass? I am about to put an octave effect into my stumpy and am wondering how best to get power to it. I think it will consume too much power to make batteries acceptable. I am not sure if using a stereo plug would lead to noise/hum having that run in the same cable as the outbound audio.

DC voltage shouldn't introduce hum.

 

[Deleted member 165050]

DC voltage shouldn't introduce hum.

Not so sure about that, I had to make a filter for a home made pedal when I wanted external power going to it... some power supplies are pretty dirty.

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

Not so sure about that, I had to make a filter for a home made pedal when I wanted external power going to it... some power supplies are pretty dirty.

Sorry, I assumed pure DC like from a big ol' Die Hard. Wall warts do tend to be sucky.

 

[Stewie]

If you're going to run an external battery somewhere, check out those that are intended for Ice fishing flashers(sonar) Cheap, and not much heavier than an old Sears catalog or Yellow Pages. Anyone else remember the Yellow Pages?

 

[DONZI97]

What would Devo do?

 

[T_Bone_TL]

 

[Jisch]

View attachment 2830364 View attachment 2830365

What would Devo do?

I figured someone would post that eventually