Phantom powering a bass?

[Rusty the Scoob]

Yes, that smell of burnt toast means that my wheels are spinning less than 24 hours after getting my new bass.

The Starfire has two Bartolini preamps which can each be run at either 9V or 18V and a buffer that can be run at at least 9V, maybe more. 18 + 18 + 9 = 45, or close enough to the 48V that most boards put out for phantom power. I've yet to find an onboard bass preamp that didn't sound fatter and punchier with a little extra voltage pumped into it.

I'm already running a small mixing board to equalize the output of my various basses on stage to make switching quick and easy. What would it take to put that phantom power to work? Could it be done via XLR cable?

[waldo041]

a transformer! seriously, you'll fry(smell burnt toast) each one of those devices throwing 48volts at them, voltage doesn't work that way.

you need an 18 volt tap that will have enough amps for each 18volt device, AND a 9volt tap with the needed amount of amps for it. so you'll need to research your current draw as well.

peace,
waldo

[jeffm725]

rather than phantom power, I would look into how Alembic and Ibanez used outboard Boxes and cabling to power onboard instrument active electronics. Your solution lies there, young jedi.........

[waldo041]

peace,
waldo

[Rusty the Scoob]

Awesome! I'm looking into the voltage and current requirements of the EZQs and D-TAR buffer. With any luck they will overlap so one power supply can handle both. They're both running on separate 9V batteries now so they must be at least somewhat compatible, right?

If not perhaps I can run the two voltages as a 4-pin connector of some sort, separate from the regular 1/4" output. People can think I have an OBEL on the bass.

[Rusty the Scoob]

Haven't found the current draw requirements for either device yet but it looks like I have a green light to run the whole thing at either 9v or 18v.

http://www.d-tar.com/eclipse.shtml

http://www.bestbassgear.com/wiring-diagrams/ezq.pdf

I suppose if we supply about as much current as one or two 9V batteries can provide it should be safe, right? Maybe a fuse or circuit-breaker could be wired in for protection?

What is "18V bipolar power"?