Interesting phantom powered bass

[Reedt2000]

If GC doesn't have any amps to rest it with, how did they check that it actually works? That would be my #1 question to the sales rep.

They do have a 45 day return policy, plenty of time to at least evaluate what it needs to function. If you determine you can't make it work, or you get it to work but don't like it, take it back.

Looked it up on their website and it's listed as fully functional. Even if you pay shipping you'll get it back if it doesn't work.

The control cavity is huge, I'd say there is a very good chance it just has a balanced output jack and doesn't need phantom power or some European voltage to work.

 

[Reedt2000]

Here's the maker, ask them

Invalid Link Removed

 

[Reedt2000]

Looks like it could be this bass on the left in this photo from the maker's gallery

 

[MVE]

Probably not 48v powered.

More likely just lowZ out or using an XLR for stereo out. I’m sure it wouldn’t take more than 5 minutes with a soldering iron to convert it to a standard 1/4” or make a breakout cable.

That thing is awesome.
And Fretless too.

I want it! Lol

 

[/\/\3phist0]

EBS or some other european amp builder has offered power to active electronics thru a trs cable before. don’t know if it was offered via xlr or not

Markbass has an XLR input too iirc .

 

[Drop1]

View attachment 3426764
Looks like it could be this bass on the left in this photo from the maker's gallery

Sure looks like it.

 

[ctmullins]

Probably not 48v powered.

More likely just lowZ out or using an XLR for stereo out.

Agree. XLR doesn’t necessarily mean phantom power. Are there battery boxes on the back?

Those pickups have the OBL logo on them, which stands for “Original Bill Lawrence”. I’m not 100% on my Bill Lawrence history, but I believe that was from the 80s, around the time that he and his business partner had their acrimonious split? Anyway, Bill’s pickup designs are awesome, regardless of his corporate history. I’m guessing those are some version of his [Invalid or Expired Link Removed], which are awesome on bass.

 

[Drop1]

Agree. XLR doesn’t necessarily mean phantom power. Are there battery boxes on the back?

Those pickups have the OBL logo on them, which stands for “Original Bill Lawrence”. I’m not 100% on my Bill Lawrence history, but I believe that was from the 80s, around the time that he and his business partner had their acrimonious split? Anyway, Bill’s pickup designs are awesome, regardless of his corporate history. I’m guessing those are some version of his [Invalid or Expired Link Removed], which are awesome on bass.

GC swears its phantom powered. My usual salesman and their tech both. I have no real interest in it other than molesting it with some primus during my weekly trip to GC to check the used inventory. It would be neat to have, I just dont have any real use for it. Fun as hell to play though. That sucker has that fretless growl in spades playing acoustic. I would like to hear it. I may just bring a phantom pre with me next trip.

 

[ixlramp]

They said something about it being European powered

LOL powered by Europe.

 

[bassbenj]

I'd say it's hard to tell what this is. You'd need to manufacturer to tell you. It looks like a standard 4 knob active configuration (vol/blend/bass/treble) but might be anything. Check for batteries in cavity which would mean is not external powered. Some odd basses use mic type XLR connectors but generally they don't plug into a board. (mics are low output and need high gain, basses have high output) Mics use 3 pin XLR connectors. The Alembic thing uses a 5 pin XLR (some used other connectors) which gives enough wires for power and signal. Note that "true" phantom power for a mic is 48v and the power is sent over the signal wires (hence the term "phantom") in the 5 pin thing there is a power supply on the floor that runs the bass over separate wires and hence not true "phantom". (you might build it into the amp but it would be custom and nobody has ever agreed on these things so amp makers don't provide anything. The Euro thing is the power box. Euro power iw 220V 50 Hz while USA is 120 60 Hz. Today modern supplies are made to run on both either with a switch or automatically, so a "Euro" power box that needs 220 volts won't work on American power.

I run my basses on external power over a TRS cables. (There are "one spot" wall warts I built into my amps to supply 9 volts to basses) so my basses don't have special plugs and if you put a battery in they run the old way as well. There are some makers that sell external systems that do this on TRS as well. I love it. Works great, no battery hassle, and in emergency you can put in a battery and go back to factory setup. There is an old thread somewhere here in TB where I describe building the system.