Why aren’t active basses powered by the cable?

[Al Rivera]

Wouldn't he have had a roadie to deal with that stuff?

Yes, but they were all on dope!

 

[Dominic D]

I barely think about the batteries. I replace them once a year (Jan 1st) just to be safe. Never had one die on me in 15+ years.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

What are you gonna do, plug your bass into a wall socket for power?

 

[Naigewron]

1: Because you will need to carry that special cable everywhere, along with a backup. Easier to carry a spare 9V battery

2: Say goodbye to playing wireless

3: 9V batteries really aren't a hassle

 

[jeff62]

Easy answer... because I use a wireless system and magic would be required.

 

[Killing Floor]

I could see someone making PoE basses/guitars and subsequently going bankrupt but not before uploading some nice YouTube videos about how it’s changing the world.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

I was recently thinking about how active bass electronics work and was wondering why no one makes a cable that powers active pickups rather than using a 9v battery? I know it’d have to be a different kind of cable, but many people run a setup where a DI box converts the 1/4 TS to an XLR anyway. So why no specialty cables for active basses? 9volts seem so inconvenient in comparison. Does anyone know if there’s anything electronic wise stopping this from happening, or has it just not been made?

You would probably get electrocuted.

It's an output on your bass.

It's an input on your amp.

 

[InhumanResource]

Why not a bass alternator to power the electronics? It could be spun by the player’s bobbing head or even a hydroolectric model, with a turbine that leverages the bassist’s unbridled saliva?

 

[Grapevine921]

Maybe now that everyone and their mother has a military grade pedalboard something like an external power supply for active basses could finally catch on. Just convince everyone their bass needs +/- 24V rails for ultimate headroom

 

[Lovep]

I barely think about the batteries. I replace them once a year (Jan 1st) just to be safe. Never had one die on me in 15+ years.

That’s nice! I only play at home as a hobby and burn threw batteries once every other month at least. I know I couldn’t get 12 months out of a battery.

 

[Naigewron]

That’s nice! I only play at home as a hobby and burn threw batteries once every other month at least. I know I couldn’t get 12 months out of a battery.

You're unplugging the bass between sessions, right?

 

[Dominic D]

That’s nice! I only play at home as a hobby and burn threw batteries once every other month at least. I know I couldn’t get 12 months out of a battery.

Are you unplugging the cable? Most preamps should last at least several months with normal use.

 

[Lovep]

You're unplugging the bass between sessions, right?

Always…although sometimes I do leave it plugged in for 30-45 mins when I need to do something. I buy premium batteries too. IDK, I prefer passive basses for this and a few other reasons…I can leave them plugged in.

 

[MNAirHead]

I'd rather install a battery than carry more gear

 

[Lovep]

Are you unplugging the cable? Most preamps should last at least several months with normal use.

My Lakland 55-94 would get 2 months before I noticed sound changes…swapped out the battery and was back in business.

 

[Dominic D]

My Lakland 55-94 would get 2 months before I noticed sound changes…swapped out the battery and was back in business.

I’m not familiar with Lakland’s preamps, but it sounds like they aren’t very power efficient.

 

[MDBass]

I was recently thinking about how active bass electronics work and was wondering why no one makes a cable that powers active pickups rather than using a 9v battery? I know it’d have to be a different kind of cable, but many people run a setup where a DI box converts the 1/4 TS to an XLR anyway. So why no specialty cables for active basses? 9volts seem so inconvenient in comparison. Does anyone know if there’s anything electronic wise stopping this from happening, or has it just not been made?

Because buying and toting a specialty cable is significantly less convenient than 9v batteries that can be found practically anywhere.

There’s also not a single bass amp made that’s designed to send 48v phantom power out to a bass via the input.

 

[IanStephenson]

The "special" cable should be an XLR mic cable... and the "special power box" should be regular phantom power...

Guitars and basses SHOULD have been built from day one with balanced outputs on an XLR, and then when someone needed power for actives, it would have just been there. But they weren't and we don't. We've got 70 odd years invested in the jack plug and "guitar lead", amps and effects... Guitar builders saved $1 per guitar putting the cheaper connector on, and we are where we are. From here it's just easier to put a battery than invent time travel, go back and try and convince Fender to give up $1 profit.

 

[dalkowski]

Yes, but they were all on dope!

And JAE was straight?!? That cable never had a chance.

 

[klattman]

The "special" cable should be an XLR mic cable... and the "special power box" should be regular phantom power...

Guitars and basses SHOULD have been built from day one with balanced outputs on an XLR, and then when someone needed power for actives, it would have just been there. But they weren't and we don't. We've got 70 odd years invested in the jack plug and "guitar lead", amps and effects... Guitar builders saved $1 per guitar putting the cheaper connector on, and we are where we are. From here it's just easier to put a battery than invent time travel, go back and try and convince Fender to give up $1 profit.

seems like stuffing a DI box into the control cavity would work.