Wireless question

[clmjlg]

Hello all I have a question regarding wireless units and loads on pickups. I hope load is the right word, if its not please feel free correct me. Anyways, I already know im getting a line 6 wireless setup but I was told by a friend I needed to make sure to get a long enough cable to make sure my pickups get the full load on them. I play a sterling HS, I dont know if that helps. So to get to the point i was wondering if anyone knows the right lenght of cable i need to keep my pickups working great.
On a side note i was told there are jacks you can use to make sure the correct load is sent to the pickups but Im not sure what those are exactly. Im not sure if its something you plug into the bass then run a cable to it and the pack or how it works. So any info on those and if that is the best way to go would be helpful. Thanks for all the help.

 

[jlepre]

Ok...where's the hidden camera...

 

[Aussie Mark]

Wireless ain't that complicated. Somehow I've managed to successfully use wireless with a gazillion different basses for 8 or 9 years without ever thinking about how long the cable needs to be. The cable just needs to be long enough to reach from the jack socket to my strap or back pocket, where the transmitter resides. That's all I care about.

 

[clmjlg]

Ok...where's the hidden camera...

So im not sure what your getting at. Did i say somthing stupid cause that wouldnt suprise me in the least bit.

 

[Aussie Mark]

So im not sure what your getting at.

Your friend needs to produce some information to prove what he's told you about cable length being important for "pickup load" when using wireless.

 

[thunder]

ok, where do i begin.... first off. wirless, found out, the output of the bass. then make sure the input of the wirless within that range. this prevent overload when playing at full volume. (also make sure the amps input can handle the load also). cables, the shorter the better. the longer the cable can act as a antenna (depending on where you are) and you'll pick up the local p.d. and or taxi base. good luck.

 

[Aussie Mark]

If you're talking about overdriving the gain section of the wireless transmitter, some transmitters have a setting for active basses. If not, you can control the gain using the volume knob on the bass. Either way, it's not a problem at all.

 

[LawDaddy]

I have one of the new Line 6 G30 units, and love it. I posted a review thread some time ago here. It has a switch that simulates different lengths of cable. Highly recommended.

 

[ZiggyDude]

I have the Line 6 rackmount. The digital version (w/o compander) just before this. Main difference is the number of channels. Anyway - your friend is (as Fonzy would say) "wr, wro, wrong". First of all - to overdrive the Line 6 is all but impossible. I have only one bass that could and - well - it is getting neutered somewhat. THe EBMM basses will fit it just fine.

As far as the cable lenght thing. There are ways to distress the signal to make it sound like your signal was degredated by a cheap cable. These are built into the system. Why would you want to do that? The difference is mostly some brightness.

The only issue is that the Line 6 cable has been known to fail - sometimes after a few jobs. So, you need a backup. They sell a upgraded version (like - why not include that as stock?). I bought one of them as a back up but got Butch as Bayou Cables to make my mainline use ones.

Your Sterling will work great with the unit out of the box. My Bongo has its volume maxed out, the bass knob up a lot and same for the higher end EQs. Thus - I am putting out a lot of signal. The Line 6 will take it just fine. Just make sure you don't overdrive the amp!!!

- Ziggy -

 

[clmjlg]

Thanks for all the info guys. I guess my friend was not sure what he was talking about. So I will just get the unit and a cable that is the right length to go from unit to bass.

 

[Rick Auricchio]

And, just so you know: A preamp in a bass makes pickup loading virtually nonexistent. That's one of the main functions of the preamp, to isolate the pickups from the cable and everything else.

On a passive instrument, a long cable can cut some of the top end of the signal. This is usually of greater concern for guitars rather than basses.

 

[clmjlg]

Well i didnt know that preamp in a bass negated that issue. This forum is full of all kinds of cool stuff. Or maybe its just i dont know much. Either way this place is great.