SPECTOR® Club - Part 27

[LimaGuy]

Yeah its a small but significant improvement. Kind of like "oh, that's what their supposed to sound like "

A single 9 volt battery does drop down to 8v, 7v, 6v.... fairly quicker then we think.

So really after some hours of playing, the single 9 volt is at 8 volts maybe even 7.

With the 18 volt, you doubling your power.

The following is from the EMG power guide PDF instructions.

 

[5string_phunk]

Is Your Euro Aggie an OBP 2 or 3 running at 18V?

Its was an OBP-3. Unfortunately I sold that bass ...but it allowed me to make room for my Forte so I can't be too sad about it!

 

[husky123]

A single 9 volt battery does drop down to 8v, 7v, 6v.... fairly quicker then we think.

So really after some hours of playing, the single 9 volt is at 8 volts maybe even 7.

With the 18 volt, you doubling your power.

The following is from the EMG power guide PDF instructions.

No truer words on that last sentence. With that said I still think most of us are good with the changing of batteries every six months. I had an 18V system in my Bongo and it wasn't hard on batteries. I think these pickups get a ridiculous amount of time on batteries. I wanna say upwards of a couple thousand hours?

 

[LimaGuy]

That is exactly what is happening! I sat around for 30 min last night looking, measuring, rechecking and cutting small chunks of string. It was ridiculous!

Dont feel bad I did the exact same thing.

I even went and purchased a 2nd set of Hi Beams, although that was probably just an excuse for me to get another set to feed my string addiction lol

The only negative things I noticed with this is;

1. At first the string will have a bit of a hard time staying perfectly in tune. But after a while it seems to break in.

2. The slightest turn will make a big difference in the tuning.

If you go with "Spector Strings" they are designed for this and you will not have that problem with the E string.

P.S.
From what I seen in photos all the newer USA 4 string models have the E post closer to the nut then the Euro series.

 

[5string_phunk]

Yes sir, he did, you should try it. Here is another diagram so its easily seen how they connect.

that looks like a simple mod! just 3 battery terminals and some tape/shrink wrap

3 questions:
1. Is it better to solder the connections than just twist and
wrap?
2. Shrink wrap vs tape. Is one better than the other?
3. Is it a tight fit in the battery compartment? that was an issue
I had with my 18V Euro...just ran out of space so I had a
local luthier drill a spot for a quick change. I don't want to do
that on my Forte!

I am placing an order for a dtuner today, so I will also throw in some battery terminals and give it a whirl! Thanks for the wiring diagram LimaGuy...much appreciated!

 

[husky123]

b,

I twisted, soldered and shrink wrapped mine. There is a decent amount of room for the 2nd battery. I ended up keeping the 1st one in its place and the second one lays nicely on its side between the volume pot (I think?) and one of the tone pots. I wrapped both in a little foam, through some electrical tape around it (to keep the foam on) and set it in there carefully. Just make sure your not putting any undue pressure on any pot connections. The cover slid back on nicely and everyone is happy.

Oh and here's what I found on EMG's site about the 9v vs. 18v mod and battery drain. Sorry if it's a repost:

Current/ Voltage:
The typical EMG Pickup requires about 80 Micro-amps of current. For a battery
rated at 500 MilliAmp Hours it translates like this:
1 MilliAmp = 1000 MicroAmps
1000 MicroAmps / 80 MicroAmps = 12.5 times
12.5 * 500maH = 6250 maH
6250 / 2 (battery cutoff voltage 4.5V) = 3125 Hours per pickup
The Lithium Cell will usually deliver about twice as many hours as the Alkaline
cell, but the cost is higher.
So, from a typical 9-Volt battery you can expect about 3000 hours of battery
life until the battery voltage will be reduced to 4.5 Volts. With 2 pickups in the
instrument, battery life will be about half that, or about 1500 Hours. Adding
EMG Accessories will increase the current drain and lessen battery life.

that looks like a simple mod! just 3 battery terminals and some tape/shrink wrap

3 questions:
1. Is it better to solder the connections than just twist and
wrap?
2. Shrink wrap vs tape. Is one better than the other?
3. Is it a tight fit in the battery compartment? that was an issue
I had with my 18V Euro...just ran out of space so I had a
local luthier drill a spot for a quick change. I don't want to do
that on my Forte!

I am placing an order for a dtuner today, so I will also throw in some battery terminals and give it a whirl! Thanks for the wiring diagram LimaGuy...much appreciated!

 

[5string_phunk]

Dont feel bad I did the exact same thing.

I even went and purchased a 2nd set of Hi Beams, although that was probably just an excuse for me to get another set to feed my string addiction lol

The only negative things I noticed with this is;

1. At first the string will have a bit of a hard time staying perfectly in tune. But after a while it seems to break in.

2. The slightest turn will make a big difference in the tuning.

If you go with "Spector Strings" they are designed for this and you will not have that problem with the E string.

P.S.
From what I seen in photos all the newer USA 4 string models have the E post closer to the nut then the Euro series.

That is interesting. I wonder why that is? I was always under the impression that the farther the string post from the nut/bridge etc, the tighter the tension.

Good to know! I will have to check into a set of Spector nickel strings!

 

[5string_phunk]

b,

I twisted, soldered and shrink wrapped mine. There is a decent amount of room for the 2nd battery. I ended up keeping the 1st one in its place and the second one lays nicely on its side between the volume pot (I think?) and one of the tone pots. I wrapped both in a little foam, through some electrical tape around it (to keep the foam on) and set it in there carefully. Just make sure your not putting any undue pressure on any pot connections. The cover slid back on nicely and everyone is happy.

Oh and here's what I found on EMG's site about the 9v vs. 18v mod and battery drain. Sorry if it's a repost:

Current/ Voltage:
The typical EMG Pickup requires about 80 Micro-amps of current. For a battery
rated at 500 MilliAmp Hours it translates like this:
1 MilliAmp = 1000 MicroAmps
1000 MicroAmps / 80 MicroAmps = 12.5 times
12.5 * 500maH = 6250 maH
6250 / 2 (battery cutoff voltage 4.5V) = 3125 Hours per pickup
The Lithium Cell will usually deliver about twice as many hours as the Alkaline
cell, but the cost is higher.
So, from a typical 9-Volt battery you can expect about 3000 hours of battery
life until the battery voltage will be reduced to 4.5 Volts. With 2 pickups in the
instrument, battery life will be about half that, or about 1500 Hours. Adding
EMG Accessories will increase the current drain and lessen battery life.

Sweet! Thanks Husky! I have never done a mod like this before so this one will be a good starter project! Looks like I need to break down and buy a soldering iron! Any particular solder/flux that I need to use for this?

 

[iceboxbass]

Yep followed Lima's diagram to a T. I can see why they recommend 18V. It may totally be my imagination but it seemed to wake a sleeping giant.

Really! Sounds like a project for Saturday then! I like waking up sleeping giants!

 

[stjohn1299]

that looks like a simple mod! just 3 battery terminals and some tape/shrink wrap

3 questions:
1. Is it better to solder the connections than just twist and
wrap?
2. Shrink wrap vs tape. Is one better than the other?
3. Is it a tight fit in the battery compartment? that was an issue
I had with my 18V Euro...just ran out of space so I had a
local luthier drill a spot for a quick change. I don't want to do
that on my Forte!

I am placing an order for a dtuner today, so I will also throw in some battery terminals and give it a whirl! Thanks for the wiring diagram LimaGuy...much appreciated!

I'm assuming this mod will work with a 9V tonepump as well? Anyone tried?

 

[iceboxbass]

A single 9 volt battery does drop down to 8v, 7v, 6v.... fairly quicker then we think.

So really after some hours of playing, the single 9 volt is at 8 volts maybe even 7.

With the 18 volt, you doubling your power.

The following is from the EMG power guide PDF instructions.

Interesting info Lima! Thank you!

 

[worshiprocker]

Try this......

Cover The Sun at The Abbey - YouTube

Awesome Lenny!! you guys have a great sound too

Legend 6 Sound Clip time

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

45P/45J Pups
D'Addario Pro Steels
Tonepump Jr.

I am starting to feel like Ed Norton playing swanee river

Just a reminder you can watch the frist 1min of this clip to refresh you memory if you missed the joke.
A Tribute to "The Great One" - Jackie Gleason - YouTube

That Legend sounds great, can't wait to hear what you come up with after a bit. O and that bass is beautiful!!

Well, Lemmy plays through a Marshall rig......but I think he might be the only one, LOL.

There are a handful of touring bassists that use the Marshall BDS or IBS stuff..... seems like back in the day they really rocked

 

[worshiprocker]

I'm assuming this mod will work with a 9V tonepump as well? Anyone tried?

I'm using this with my trimpot TP, I'm really liking the extra clarity, kinda tightens up the growl

 

[rockstarbassist]

The PRS SE's are surprisingly well built. I bought one of the original Allender SE's and it sounds and plays like a guitar twice its price.

Yeah they're really nice. The Cu22 model SE's were only made for a short while, but the standard Cu22 is easily my fave PRS, so I was happy to come across one.

 

[iceboxbass]

Sweet! Thanks Husky! I have never done a mod like this before so this one will be a good starter project! Looks like I need to break down and buy a soldering iron! Any particular solder/flux that I need to use for this?

If you don't feel like soldering you can buy a couple of wire cap nuts. Twist your wires tightly together and then spin the cap nuts onto each paired wires. Simple, no risk and will last longer than electrical tape. And easier to mod back to 9V if you choose to.

 

[iceboxbass]

Awesome Lenny!! you guys have a great sound too

That Legend sounds great, can't wait to hear what you come up with after a bit. O and that bass is beautiful!!


There are a handful of touring bassists that use the Marshall BDS or IBS stuff..... seems like back in the day they really rocked

Lima that legend 6 sounds big! Time for the "TonePump SR" though!

 

[stjohn1299]

I'm using this with my trimpot TP, I'm really liking the extra clarity, kinda tightens up the growl

well, then I'll have to try it....may even try it in the non-trim tp Euro 4

 

[5string_phunk]

Really! Sounds like a project for Saturday then! I like waking up sleeping giants!

my thought process exactly! I just ordered my new d-tuner and the battery terminals/shrink wrap! Should get it next week and will do the mod shortly after!

 

[5string_phunk]

If you don't feel like soldering you can buy a couple of wire cap nuts. Twist your wires tightly together and then spin the cap nuts onto each paired wires. Simple, no risk and will last longer than electrical tape. And easier to mod back to 9V if you choose to.

I don't think it will be that big of a deal. It looks like I can do all the work away from the bass and then just clip the two terminals together. I need to learn how to solder anyway...I have spent WAY too much money having other people changing out my electronics!

...if I get into trouble, I will just hit up the family here on TB!!

 

[husky123]

I don't think it will be that big of a deal. It looks like I can do all the work away from the bass and then just clip the two terminals together. I need to learn how to solder anyway...I have spent WAY too much money having other people changing out my electronics!

...if I get into trouble, I will just hit up the family here on TB!!

Yep you do it all away from your bass. Make your "harness" using 3 of the 9 volt terminals, snap it in and BANG!