Is there other ways to power active pickups?

Sure, it could be reasonably simple to put a jack on your bass and make a second cable that runs from an AC/C converter.

I wouldn't. I have a bunch of active basses and never have short-lived batteries.

 

You do unplug your bass after use right? That'll drain batteries REAL fast..

 

I agree. You should be getting 6 months or more if you don't leave it plugged in. There must be a wiring or electronics problem.

elwood

 

I agree. Sounds like a short that is keeping the pre amp live even when un plugged. I installed a killl switch in one bass I had (recesed into the control cover) to help fight a short like that

I messed around with "phantom power" a while a go using a TRS (Tip, Ring Seleve) cable and running the volts on the ring. Ground issues galore. You may be able to get away with running a second cable but keep in mind that the voltage and more importantly amperage will get eaten up over a long cable run.

 

That's pretty much akin to tearing down a house because you don't like the doors.

Get it checked out. Shouldn't be too costly to get an estimate as to what's wrong... and it sounds like something is wrong.

BTW I talked to someone who had this problem and they said they were unplugging the cable. Turned out they were unplugging it at the amp.

 

excellent point, hadn't thought to ask that myself.

elwood

 

You could just use rechargeables, or -- can't you buy 9-volt power supplies at Radio Shack? I've got one of those AC adapters, with the "octopus" at the output end and the switch that determines the output voltage on it. It has a 9-volt type connection on it, why not try one out? I don't know why it wouldn't work for you.

EDIT: http://www.radioshack.com/product.a...name=CTLG_004_001_001_000&product_id=273-1552

 

Rex, when do the pickups distort? Just curious. The only distortion I've ever had with an active bass has been when the battery was dying, on the low side of the usable voltage.

 

Thats a hard one to find. Do the pick ups distort. Or does the output of the bass (pickups and preamp together) distort the input stage of the amp? The IBZ 800 can easily clip a lot of amps.

 

Anyone listening with any alembic experience? Don't they make a "power supply" for their basses?

 

Yes, they have an outboard power supply for the "Series" basses.

 

Hi,
You can use a "Phantom Power Supply"
You know, like they use some times for Mics.
"Velleman" used to make a kit specifically power active pickups - so there must be something out there.

 

Open that sucker up. There's probably a short somewhere. You may find your pups sound fine if you can get rid of the short. Email Ibanez and see if they'll send you a schematic and make sure the signal and voltage are flowing where they're suppose to.