Stroopy121 Posted November 15, 2011 Share Posted November 15, 2011 (edited) Anyone out there know how feasible it would be to power your pickups from a 9V source built into your head? I'm toying with the idea of building a phantom power box that I'd run my head's output through and also add a 9V supply alongside it. Run the 9V down the lead and power the pickups with no battery... Only problem I can see is screening - I'd need to find a cable with the signal cores screened to earth to avoid noise, something like this, only runing 9V up one of the unused signal cores: Obviously I'd also need the corresponding wiring inside the bass, too. Has this ever been done or attempted before? Or is there something fundamental I'm missing? xx Edited November 15, 2011 by Stroopy121 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimR Posted November 15, 2011 Share Posted November 15, 2011 (edited) [indent=1]Loads of ideas already about on this site. Search for Phantom power or similar.[/indent] [indent=1]Think the best Idea was to use a stereo jack to a box that sits on your amp with the 9v supply plugged into that. Mod the bass by linking out the battery.[/indent] Edited November 15, 2011 by TimR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toneknob Posted November 15, 2011 Share Posted November 15, 2011 Jimmy Johnson does this, I had a chat with him after an Allan Holdsworth gig at the Sutton FC Social Club (yes) and he explained how it works. Of course I've clean forgotten now, but you'll find a couple of threads on talkbass and the Alembic forum and others that might help out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bremen Posted November 15, 2011 Share Posted November 15, 2011 [quote name='TimR' timestamp='1321350972' post='1437999'] [indent=1]Loads of ideas already about on this site. Search for Phantom power or similar.[/indent] [indent=1]Think the best Idea was to use a stereo jack to a box that sits on your amp with the 9v supply plugged into that. Mod the bass by linking out the battery.[/indent] [/quote] You don't need to link out the battery. With some cunningly placed diodes you can arrange two separate 'phantom boxes'; one you use in line with the guitar>amp lead to power the electronics from an external voltage source, and another you use to charge the guitar's internal battery when it's not being played. I'll draw a schematic if anyone's interested. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neepheid Posted November 15, 2011 Share Posted November 15, 2011 [quote name='Stroopy121' timestamp='1321350771' post='1437998'] Anyone out there know how feasible it would be to power your pickups from a 9V source built into your head? [/quote] I have nothing useful to to add except that when I first read this I had visions of some brilliant surgery and a DC power socket mounted in the back of one's head. Just part the hair and plug in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted November 15, 2011 Share Posted November 15, 2011 (edited) [b]Powering active pickups from your head:[/b] Sorry, I just couldn't resist. I'll get me coat. Edited November 15, 2011 by discreet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bremen Posted November 15, 2011 Share Posted November 15, 2011 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1321352688' post='1438038'] [b]Powering active pickups from your head:[/b] [/quote] What. The. f***. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stroopy121 Posted November 15, 2011 Author Share Posted November 15, 2011 [quote name='bremen' timestamp='1321351723' post='1438019'] You don't need to link out the battery. With some cunningly placed diodes you can arrange two separate 'phantom boxes'; one you use in line with the guitar>amp lead to power the electronics from an external voltage source, and another you use to charge the guitar's internal battery when it's not being played. I'll draw a schematic if anyone's interested. [/quote] This is exactly what I was thinking - have the option to charge the battery while running the pups off the mains or switch to using the battery when I'm using a non-phantom head. Schematic would be nice, I have an idea in my head but no sense in doing work that's already done! Cheers! xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete.young Posted November 15, 2011 Share Posted November 15, 2011 I could be wrong, but I think EBS heads provide 9v phantom power. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted November 15, 2011 Share Posted November 15, 2011 Check out EBS_Freaks all white bass in the GB porn thread, It has exactly what the OP requires. It also powers all the blue LEDs!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bremen Posted November 15, 2011 Share Posted November 15, 2011 [quote name='Stroopy121' timestamp='1321352954' post='1438044'] This is exactly what I was thinking - have the option to charge the battery while running the pups off the mains or switch to using the battery when I'm using a non-phantom head. Schematic would be nice, I have an idea in my head but no sense in doing work that's already done! Cheers! xx [/quote] How do I attach a .pdf from my computer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JetKing Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 Could a chain of pedals be set up to get power the same way (assuming all are 9V)? I suppose the power supply would need a pretty hefty current rating... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RhysP Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 [quote name='pete.young' timestamp='1321353066' post='1438049'] I could be wrong, but I think EBS heads provide 9v phantom power. [/quote] The combos do too. I can power my Zon fretless & Bogart five string from my Gorm combo using a stereo lead. Unfortunately I can't do it with my other Zon as it's 18V. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JakeBrownBass Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 All EBS heads afaik provide this. Simply link the battery clip together & use a standard stereo jack cable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stroopy121 Posted November 16, 2011 Author Share Posted November 16, 2011 [quote name='bremen' timestamp='1321354392' post='1438069'] How do I attach a .pdf from my computer? [/quote] I have no idea... other than save it as a jpeg and uploading it that way... xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bartelby Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 [quote name='bremen' timestamp='1321354392' post='1438069'] How do I attach a .pdf from my computer? [/quote] Have you tried adding it as an attachment, like you would with a jpeg? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xgsjx Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 (edited) [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1321352688' post='1438038'] [b]Powering active pickups from your head:[/b] Sorry, I just couldn't resist. I'll get me coat. [/quote] See! That's exactly what I was thinking of prior to opening the thread & even once I opened it, I was still thinking the same thing. Edited to say, I can't help but giggle at the expressions on their faces! Edited November 16, 2011 by xgsjx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 [quote name='xgsjx' timestamp='1321462358' post='1439467'] I can't help but giggle at the expressions on their faces! [/quote] You can tell they're not listening to Victor Wooten. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyfisher Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 [quote name='xgsjx' timestamp='1321462358' post='1439467'] Edited to say, I can't help but giggle at the expressions on their faces! [/quote] That's because those headsets are the latest technology for 'adult telepresence services' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyfisher Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 [quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1321451613' post='1439288'] The combos do too. I can power my Zon fretless & Bogart five string from my Gorm combo using a stereo lead. Unfortunately I can't do it with my other Zon as it's 18V. [/quote] I've really surprised these things have not been standardised as they have with 48v phantom powering of microphones. 48V should be quite adequate for powering all manner of active electronics inside a guitar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassmachine2112 Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 EBS has done this for years.excellent idea and wonder why it hasn,t become standard.Power your pedals and bass off the amp-genius I,d rather be zapped with 9 volts than 48 though,mind you it,s not the volts ,it,s the amps you have to watch-amperes not the pluggy in thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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