how do you remember to turn off/unplug your active bass?

[wideload]

And I thought of another one - put something next to the stand that the jack will jab into and make me notice and unplug it. Like... a cat.[/QUOTE]

Get a Manx cat, then you won't have to lift the tail every time...

 

[Nev375]

In all seriousness, I had the exact same problem the OP had. I struggled for 2 years trying to retrain myself to unplug my bass after years of never having to think about batteries.

Eventually, I gave up and got rid of my active basses and converted the ones I couldn't live without to passive. Old habits are hard to break. And for those who are absent-minded for whatever reason, active electronics are just not worth it.

Sure, a lot of people are having fun at the OP's expense. It's so easy to mock those who are different than ourselves. Might as well mock me too. Go ahead, enjoy your ignorance and prejudice. Get it all out.

 

[topo morto]

Get a Manx cat, then you won't have to lift the tail every time...

I actually have a cat with the back leg missing.... same difference, kind of.

 

[peledog]

Remember to turn off the stove when you go out.

Remember to turn of the lights when you're not using them.

Pretty easy stuff really.

 

[Dave Siff]

I play it in passive mode. Problem solved!
Seriously, this thread made me realize that when I use my active bass at rehearsal, I've been leaving it plugged in during breaks. It's the first active bass I've owned in more than 10 years, so I'm not used to thinking about battery drain.

 

[Solarmist]

Paste a sticky that reads UNPLUG right next to the power button.

 

[topo morto]

Remember to turn off the stove when you go out.

Remember to turn of the lights when you're not using them.

Pretty easy stuff really.

Oh, the instinct to turn things off is strong. The instinct to unplug things, not so much

 

[Nev375]

Paste a sticky that reads UNPLUG right next to the power button.

In my case, I walked away lots of times leaving the amp turned on all night, sometimes for a few days without noticing. Still do.

And when I do manage to remember to turn it off, I rarely look at the power switch. My hand just goes there automatically like flipping on a light switch.

 

[1958Bassman]

For the first time I have an active bass - I keep leaving it plugged in and switched on all night and day! This is going to cost me a fortune in batteries.

Only way around this I can think of is to buy a child smuggled in from Asia or Africa and have them sit by my bass stand, ready to pull out the volume pot when I have finished practicing. But this could work out more expensive (would probably only be cost effective for 5 or more basses).

Any other ideas?

Put an LED on the bass and use the jack to switch it, the same way the active electronics do. You'll be able to watch your battery die, too. Pretty cool.

Use a 150 Ohm resistor inline with the LED and slide the insulation from a piece of 18ga wire over the LED's legs and any bare wire on the resistor. If you prefer to use heat shrink, go ahead.

 

[wideload]

ALWAYS wear your bass while at home. As you walk away from your amp, you will automatically disconnect (unless you live in a really small apartment!).

 

[topo morto]

ALWAYS wear your bass while at home. As you walk away from your amp, you will automatically disconnect (unless you live in a really small apartment!).

I think we have a winner In the same spirit as 'Always play the bass', but slightly more practical...

 

[MrLenny1]

You will remember to unplug it when you have replaced too many batteries and
are pissed off about it.

 

[RobJ]

You will remember to unplug it when you have replaced too many batteries and
are pissed off about it.

... and you discover the battery is dead during sound check at the most important gig of your life... and you have no spare on hand....

 

[Marsco]

Idea time:
Place your stand out of range of your amp cable so when you finish, you have to unplug to put your bass all the way over there. It's also good decoration.

 

[huido]

It could be worse. You could use a wireless system with your active... then you'll be wasting 2 bateries at the same time... and there's no way a cat could help you with that one...

 

[SamanthaCay]

The main reason I remember to unplug is because of all the repairs I've done on account of someone leaving their instrument plugged in and tripping over the cord.

After you see the first nasty headstock break you tend to remember.
Oh and then there's all the p basses with their pickguards broken around the jack.

 

[Josh Pelican]

This thread is f***ing amazing.

 

[Elrend]

Invalid Link Removed

 

[Jazzdogg]

For the first time I have an active bass - I keep leaving it plugged in and switched on all night and day! This is going to cost me a fortune in batteries.

Only way around this I can think of is to buy a child smuggled in from Asia or Africa and have them sit by my bass stand, ready to pull out the volume pot when I have finished practicing. But this could work out more expensive (would probably only be cost effective for 5 or more basses).

Any other ideas?

I hear you! I played nothing but passive basses, which I habitually left plugged-in, for more than 30 years; when I started playing active basses, I had to make a conscious effort to unplug when I was through playing.

Deliberately repeat a simple behavior long enough and it becomes a habit. Most people can learn a new habit after six weeks of repetition; you just have to force yourself to go through the motions for the first few weeks. Link an old behavior to a new behavior, and the new behavior is reinforced.

Learn to do something with the cable after you unplug your bass:

My iAmp800 has active and passive 1/4" input jacks. When I'm done playing, I unplug my bass and insert its plug into the empty input jack on my amp; when I walk past my amp, I check to assure both input jacks are "full" when I'm not playing.

My B1500 has only one input jack; when I'm done playing through it, I unplug my bass and loop the cable through a rack handle; when I see the end of the cable draped through the rack handle, I know my bass isn't plugged-in.

Mnemonic rituals can be very effective.

 

[madmartyr17]

Buy a shock collar. Have a really douchey buddy shock you every time you forget. You'll have it in a week.