new EMG external power supply

[KevInDaBassment]

It's bad wiring. Using an external power supply won't show you that, however. You would never know how much current you are drawing, because the power supply will never be depleted of its charge.

I was going to get a battery door put in on my CTB5 because it's crammed in there regardless of wiring, but getting it cut and installed would cost the same as the external power supply and cable does. Since I can completely remove the battery from the equation (or more like relocating it to the PSU pedal), it's the best use of my money for this given situation. I'm also thinking of putting some EMGs and a BQC in my Ibanez SR800 from '93 and guess what? No battery door on that one either lol. With 3 basses sporting EMG pickups and needing 9v's, this will simplify things for me considerably...also I'm lazy

 

[johnnyhaggis]

I just got my ES-9 power supply (single battery). It works fine, although the included battery was dead and I had to troubleshoot a bit before I discovered what was wrong and put in a fresh battery.

Some observations/bummers:

1. You're required to use a stereo cable between your bass and the power supply;
2. There is no LED to indicate whether the power supply is in "standby" mode. You have to find out by trial and error;
3. There is no included AC adapter;
4. If you do use an AC adapter, there apparently will be an increase in noise. I'm not an electrical engineer, but it seems to me there ought to be a way around that problem.

That said, it is really nice not to have a battery buried in the innards of my bass.

Jesus, I wish I'd read this before buying one online... It has no %}#ng AC adapter, and when you plug in an AC adapter there's a horrible whining overpowering buzz that's almost as loud as the instrument. A complete waste of money. you basically need to put batteries im it, which defeats the whole purpose of buying it in the first place. it'll be faster to replace batteries on the spot and that's about what you get for $100... Argh, bery, very annoyed at this purchase.

If anyone can think of a way around the buzz, do let me know...

 

[line6man]

Jesus, I wish I'd read this before buying one online... It has no %}#ng AC adapter, and when you plug in an AC adapter there's a horrible whining overpowering buzz that's almost as loud as the instrument. A complete waste of money. you basically need to put batteries im it, which defeats the whole purpose of buying it in the first place. it'll be faster to replace batteries on the spot and that's about what you get for $100... Argh, bery, very annoyed at this purchase.

If anyone can think of a way around the buzz, do let me know...

You need better filtering on your power supply.

 

[selowitch]

Jesus, I wish I'd read this before buying one online... It has no %}#ng AC adapter, and when you plug in an AC adapter there's a horrible whining overpowering buzz that's almost as loud as the instrument. A complete waste of money. you basically need to put batteries im it, which defeats the whole purpose of buying it in the first place. it'll be faster to replace batteries on the spot and that's about what you get for $100... Argh, bery, very annoyed at this purchase.

If anyone can think of a way around the buzz, do let me know...

I agree. I don’t really like the fact that if I rely on the ES-9 to supply power to the pickups, I need to remember to bring or keep track of not only the unit itself and a working battery, but also a stereo cable.

 

[johnnyhaggis]

You need better filtering on your power supply.

How does one go about improving the filtering on a power supply? Or are there special power supplies one can buy? I used on that I use for my compression pedal.

I agree. I don’t really like the fact that if I rely on the ES-9 to supply power to the pickups, I need to remember to bring or keep track of not only the unit itself and a working battery, but also a stereo cable.

apparently if you put in the dummy batteries (or dead batteries) you don't actually need a stereo cable

 

[line6man]

How does one go about improving the filtering on a power supply? Or are there special power supplies one can buy? I used on that I use for my compression pedal.



apparently if you put in the dummy batteries (or dead batteries) you don't actually need a stereo cable

There are two things you can do. One is add a few capacitors and possibly an inductor, to clean up any noise and ripple. The other is to find a pre-made power supply that is better filtered.

You do indeed need a stereo cable to use an external power supply with a bass. How else would you get the power to the bass?

 

[selowitch]

There are two things you can do. One is add a few capacitors and possibly an inductor, to clean up any noise and ripple. The other is to find a pre-made power supply that is better filtered.

Got any further info on how to do that?

You do indeed need a stereo cable to use an external power supply with a bass. How else would you get the power to the bass?

Right.

 

[johnnyhaggis]

There are two things you can do. One is add a few capacitors and possibly an inductor, to clean up any noise and ripple. The other is to find a pre-made power supply that is better filtered.

You do indeed need a stereo cable to use an external power supply with a bass. How else would you get the power to the bass?

it says something in the instructions about making a couple of modifications so you don't need a stereo cable Link Removed

how do i know if an adapter has good filtering?

 

[line6man]

it says something in the instructions about making a couple of modifications so you don't need a stereo cable Link Removed

The instructions are to use a shorted battery snap in the bass, so that if you do not have a stereo cable (and therefore cannot use the external power supply), you can install a battery in the bass without the need for any modification. In this case, you are reverting back to using a battery in your bass, without using the power supply at all.

 

[johnnyhaggis]

The instructions are to use a shorted battery snap in the bass, so that if you do not have a stereo cable (and therefore cannot use the external power supply), you can install a battery in the bass without the need for any modification. In this case, you are reverting back to using a battery in your bass, without using the power supply at all.

Ah I see - disappointing... But do you know how one can tell if a retail power supply has good filtering or not?

 

[selowitch]

This is comfusing. The instructions say to avoid using the external power supply ... then, uh, don’t use the power supply and stick the battery in the body cavity? Gee, thanks!

 

[line6man]

Ah I see - disappointing... But do you know how one can tell if a retail power supply has good filtering or not?

You don't. No one pays any attention to wall warts. They are generic parts that you just buy in bulk from a random Chinese supplier.

It is my understanding that there are pedal power supplies on the market that do not rely on random wall warts. The good ones are well-filtered.

 

[line6man]

This is comfusing. The instructions say to avoid using the external power supply ... then, uh, don’t use the power supply and stick the battery in the body cavity? Gee, thanks!

Not confusing at all. They start with instructions for the exclusive use of the power supply, but then they supplement the information with the rationale behind using battery clips instead of soldering wires together, because it provides a failsafe, in the event that you forget your cable.

 

[johnnyhaggis]

So does anyone know if the batteries will keep draining when the unit is plugged in, even when you hit the kill switch? THe whole reason I wanted this is so that I can keep my bass plugged in 24/7 without draining batteries

 

[johnnyhaggis]

OK, so I got a better adapter and now it works fine with no noise. The price of te unit plus adapter is too high, but otherwise it's a pleasure to be able to leave the bass plugged in all the time.

I realize now that I wasted money on the 18v model because my 18v bass actually also works on 9v just as well.

Another annoyance is the shorting clips. The pedal comes with one or two dummy short circuit batteries (depending on if you get the 9v or 18v model) so the current can go through the bass. You can't buy these anywhere, and this means you can only use the pedal on one or two basses max. You can make your own, which is a pain in the ass, or solder a short circuit but that's also a pain in the ass because it means you can never use batteries without desoldering...

Just wrote to EMG to see if they'll send or sell me another short battery so I can use it on my other bass

 

[johnnyhaggis]

EMG will send me as many dummies as I need, so that's cool... 9V vs 18v does make a difference at high volumes, but not medium volume.

 

[alexander_gbass]

ive just received my es-9.. works absolutely flawlessly. although a few things could be improved..

the inputs should be as follows: the amp input for standard instrument cable should be on the left, instrument trs input on the right,
led indicator should be on there indicating the system is active so we dont accidently leave it on when we arent playing.

i am gonna have my bass tech mod the unit for me.

power supply plug should be done away with but i understand rob turner's reasons for this.
at least 5 shorting clips should be included other than the 2 it already comes with.

but other than the reasons stated above.. works excellent

 

[johnnyhaggis]

totally agree with all your improvements, esp. the LED and extra shorts. But whynwould you want the power supply done away with? what's the point of the pedal if younhave to use batteries? i use mine with an AC adapter and it works great.

 

[alexander_gbass]

totally agree with all your improvements, esp. the LED and extra shorts. But why would you want the power supply done away with? what's the point of the pedal if you have to use batteries? i use mine with an AC adapter and it works great.

because it is already being powered by the battery for the pups.. mr. turner has methods to his madness haha.. but i also see point to your question as well.. ive got an mxr dc brick on the way, i have my es 9 and my tuner out front on my pedal board..ill be powering those with the brick.. but i think i have a spare one spot with daisy chain somewhere in the "vault".. (we all have one of them haha)

 

[Charles Brown]

I built a Fender bass recently from component parts and the pre amp from my old fender. (truss rod issues, long story).
When we put it back together I decided not to wire it for a battery. I am a master carpenter and I could of routed the box out but my tech built me an 18v power supply for it for $40, my cost. shag EMG and there overpriced box. Balanced cable, zero decay, seemed like a no brainer.