9v or 18v for Bass Blackouts + EQ

[Kyral210]

So I have the ASB-BO-5 (Active Blackouts of Bass) with the STC-2C-BO EQ system and I love it. However, I am running these two pickups and the preamp off a single 9V battery.

Should I be using 2x9v batteries instead to make an 18v supply? I know EMG recommend 18v for greater headroom, which I suppose gives less chance of clipping?

 

[jonsick]

Re: 9v or 18v for Bass Blackouts + EQ

You will just have to try it, I'm afraid.

I use EMGs and at one time all my guitars were EMG loaded.

I found on a lot of guitars that going to 18v made sod-all difference. Still lack of dynamics and overly hot. These got trades for some passive pickup of some description.

But on a couple of guitars, the 18v mod made a world of difference so the EMGs stayed.

Just try it.

 

[Edgecrusher]

Re: 9v or 18v for Bass Blackouts + EQ

I dont know about black out bass pickups... "paging funk fingers to the courtesy phone" but blackout guitar pickups are not recommended to be run on 18volts they are designed to run at 9. The black out preamps are very different from the EMG preamps.

I would assume nothing from what EMG does regarding blackouts

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: 9v or 18v for Bass Blackouts + EQ

"paging funkfingers to the courtesy phone"

Er, do morons deserve courtesy?

[Reads ASB-BO-4 and STC-2C/2S-BO wiring instructions very slowly, using index finger to follow words. Tongue hanging out. Saliva dribbling onto beard.]

The SD leaflets do not specify anything. The only caveat to appear in print is that SD advises against combining active and passive pickup types in the same circuit.

Try 18v powering if you wish. Just remember not to blame edgecrusher or me if it all goes horribly wrong.

My experience with the ASB-BO-4 is that low output is never a problem. (Quite the reverse!) The pickup's heavily mid-scooped tonal profile means that clipping is unlikely. The existing headroom is more than adequate.