MuddBass Posted October 5, 2013 Share Posted October 5, 2013 (edited) Hi, Has anyone routed a hole / cavity specifically to allow a flip-up battery holder (for quicker changes) in a P bass lyte? Or is there a better way to replace the battery other than undoing the back panel? - Would there be a method of recharging a re-chargeable battery, with some sort of adaptor??? [b]OR:[/b] Is there a way of fitting two batteries with a selector switch - so if one battery goes dead mid-song / gig, a switch can select the second battery? - A bit like the reserve fuel tank fitted in old Jaguars? Greg Edited October 5, 2013 by five-string.co.uk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brensabre79 Posted October 8, 2013 Share Posted October 8, 2013 I'm not familiar with that bass, but as nobody else has chimed in... I'm guessing its some sort of metal / plastic plate around the back of the bass (unlike most Fenders)? If so, it may be possible to cut out a hole in the back plate and insert a normal flip open battery holder (Gotoh do a good one) onto the plate. Then it will sit flush with the back of the bass, when new battery time comes it should take you seconds. I would not recommend using the original one so you can put it back one day. It should not be hard to get a new one cut though (including hole) just use the original as a template. Depending on the size you might want to consider how much flex there will be from carrying the weight of the battery - Perspex may crack when you're pushing a battery in. Metal will need to be earthed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ikay Posted October 8, 2013 Share Posted October 8, 2013 (edited) Putting a flip top in the cover plate is a nice idea but I think the Lyte control cavity is a bit too tight for that to work. I have a couple of basses where the battery is in the control cavity and it's not really a problem. Just put a bit of masking tape on the back with the date when you last changed the battery and make a point of changing it every 6 months or so. And always carry a screwdriver in your gig bag! If you really want a separate battery compartment that's a relatively simple job for a luthier to do. [attachment=145545:Fender-PBass-Lyte.jpg] Edited October 8, 2013 by ikay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brensabre79 Posted October 8, 2013 Share Posted October 8, 2013 Is that the battery on the top right of the pic? with a cover over it? I reckon you could squeeze one in there, they are not much bigger than the battery... Or like iKay says, carry a screwdriver and change battery regularly! it's only 4 screws from the looks of it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MuddBass Posted October 9, 2013 Author Share Posted October 9, 2013 Hi Peeps, Thanks for the info. It is only 4 screws but the screw holes get looser each time I use them - needing some 'matchstick' repairs - plus, as I don't use the bass that often, I'd also like to be able to remove the battery easily during the times I'm not using the bass. I'll have a look at the Gotoh flip battery holder - also I will see if anyone has some suitable plastic for sale to make a new cover - it is a good idea to keep the original; thanks for that suggestion too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ikay Posted October 9, 2013 Share Posted October 9, 2013 Another option would be to mod the control cover to attach with small disc magnets like this: [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pack-of-50-small-Neodymium-disk-magnets-4mm-dia-x-1-5mm-N35-grade-craft-wargames-/130970602265?"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pack-of-50-small-Neodymium-disk-magnets-4mm-dia-x-1-5mm-N35-grade-craft-wargames-/130970602265?[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharkfinger Posted October 9, 2013 Share Posted October 9, 2013 When I had the EMG active circuit in my P lyte, I had a wiring harness that would switch between 9V and 18V. The thinking was that with 18V there was more headroom and with 9V it lasted twice as long. It was snug but it all fit. No soldering required, plugs straight onto your existing harness where the battery would go. That's not what you asked but if you can't put a box in there and don't want to have it routed, it may be your next best option. http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00ATYRB5O Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MuddBass Posted October 10, 2013 Author Share Posted October 10, 2013 [quote name='ikay' timestamp='1381313353' post='2237283'] Another option would be to mod the control cover to attach with small disc magnets like this: [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pack-of-50-small-Neodymium-disk-magnets-4mm-dia-x-1-5mm-N35-grade-craft-wargames-/130970602265?"]http://www.ebay.co.u...-/130970602265?[/url] [/quote] I like this idea!! I wonder if the magnets interfere with the electrics in anyway though? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MuddBass Posted October 10, 2013 Author Share Posted October 10, 2013 (edited) [quote name='Sharkfinger' timestamp='1381321195' post='2237492'] When I had the EMG active circuit in my P lyte, I had a wiring harness that would switch between 9V and 18V. The thinking was that with 18V there was more headroom and with 9V it lasted twice as long. It was snug but it all fit. No soldering required, plugs straight onto your existing harness where the battery would go. That's not what you asked but if you can't put a box in there and don't want to have it routed, it may be your next best option. [url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00ATYRB5O"]http://www.amazon.co...duct/B00ATYRB5O[/url] [/quote] Thanks for this, another great bit of bass chatting ! Did you just leave the switch inside the cavity of drill through and mount it on the front? What was the effect (volume / tone) when you run on 18v mode? Edited October 10, 2013 by five-string.co.uk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharkfinger Posted October 10, 2013 Share Posted October 10, 2013 [quote name='five-string.co.uk' timestamp='1381409145' post='2238628'] Thanks for this, another great bit of bass chatting ! Did you just leave the switch inside the cavity of drill through and mount it on the front? What was the effect (volume / tone) when you run on 18v mode? [/quote] Yes, I left the switch inside but there's no reason why you couldn't drill a small hole. You would have to use a small washer anyway, so that would cover any untidiness with. The tone was pretty much the same but the output was a bit bigger but it had a sharper attack. If you're into that hi-fi / EMG sound then its the next logical step. Don't know how 18V would affect the standard Lyte electronics but I shouldn't think there'd be a problem. I'm not sure you could have the two batteries and the switch if you wanted the magnetic control cover. It might just burst out, it was pretty crammed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MuddBass Posted October 10, 2013 Author Share Posted October 10, 2013 Cool, thanks. I'll have a think - I don't really want to change the tone drastically. Maybe magnets are the way foward :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ikay Posted October 10, 2013 Share Posted October 10, 2013 [quote name='five-string.co.uk' timestamp='1381409033' post='2238625'] I like this idea!! I wonder if the magnets interfere with the electrics in anyway though? [/quote] Here's a thread from TB about using magnets for the control cavity and general concensus is that they won't affect the pickups. Several builders already use this technique so I guess it must work ok - [url="http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f57/rare-earth-magnets-cavity-control-covers-226442/"]http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f57/rare-earth-magnets-cavity-control-covers-226442/[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MuddBass Posted October 10, 2013 Author Share Posted October 10, 2013 Thanks iKay - like the thread - I also like the idea (suggested within said thread) of gluing the magnets to the cover, then using embedded screws in the body (thus height adjustable) for the magents to attract themselves to! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nickev Posted October 10, 2013 Share Posted October 10, 2013 I had a guitar tech friend fit a small toggle switch into my P Lyte about 20 years ago, which bypasses the active circuitry. Obviously this affects the sound, but it acts as a comforting failsafe to be able to switch to passive mode in case of battery failure Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MuddBass Posted October 11, 2013 Author Share Posted October 11, 2013 [quote name='Nickev' timestamp='1381437335' post='2239230'] I had a guitar tech friend fit a small toggle switch into my P Lyte about 20 years ago, which bypasses the active circuitry. Obviously this affects the sound, but it acts as a comforting failsafe to be able to switch to passive mode in case of battery failure [/quote] I'm pretty handy with a soldering iron, as long as I know what to solder Would he / she happen to have the diagram of where to solder such a handy switch? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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