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Silly pedal question

casper leblanccasper leblanc Posts: 1,246
edited March 2005 in Musicians and Gearheads
So my overdrive is giving me loads of good times, but there's one little problem. The batteries wear out really fast. So I was wondering if there are any ways to slow that down, maybe by not keeping it plugged in between my guitar and amp all the time. Does that have an effect? Would it last longer if I just got it out from between the two when not using it?

either way I'm gonna buy me an adaptor...
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Comments

  • Pacomc79Pacomc79 Posts: 9,404
    pearlwax wrote:
    So my overdrive is giving me loads of good times, but there's one little problem. The batteries wear out really fast. So I was wondering if there are any ways to slow that down, maybe by not keeping it plugged in between my guitar and amp all the time. Does that have an effect? Would it last longer if I just got it out from between the two when not using it?

    either way I'm gonna buy me an adaptor...


    it kind of depends on the wiring of the switch but yeah with most pedals unplugging when not in use adds life to the battery.
    My Girlfriend said to me..."How many guitars do you need?" and I replied...."How many pairs of shoes do you need?" She got really quiet.
  • casper leblanccasper leblanc Posts: 1,246
    Aha, I thought so. Thanks!
  • mccreadyisgodmccreadyisgod Posts: 6,395
    99% of the pedals out there use the INPUT jack as a power-on switch. So, if you unplug from the INPUT (the guitar side) you'll save your battery life.
    ...and if you don't like it, you can suck on an egg.
  • Guitarhero27Guitarhero27 Posts: 2,146
    honestly, your best bet, instead of just getting a lone adapter for this one pedal (depending on what it is, could cost you $9 from radio shack...which i wouldn't count on...to even $35 for an adapter....depending on which pedal it is really) is to get a pedal board....it's worth the (investment)....one that i use and have loved it is the PS-25 pedal board....maybe it's the 125....not too sure....but it has many adapter plugs for it....made by skb by the way....

    you can hold up to 6 pedals with self-adapters....meaning it plugs right into your pedal board and is powered by a 12V AC adapter...comes with a carrying case...


    definately check that out

    -Seth
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  • WiLL75WiLL75 Posts: 415
    Or if you have $50 and a friend with tools, you can make your own pedalboard. I already had some old wood, so it was cheaper than that.
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  • casper leblanccasper leblanc Posts: 1,246
    Well for now I only have two pedals: Shannon Overdrive and an old Boss BF-1 Flanger (yes, the big blue one!) I found on my sisters attic. Both are without adapters and both need 9V, though the Flanger is better (or is supposed to go) with a 12V adapter. And since it's an old pedal it needs a special Boss ACA-adapter.

    So if there are easy ways to hook both of them up, eg a pedalboard, let me know. Thanks!
  • mccreadyisgodmccreadyisgod Posts: 6,395
    pearlwax wrote:
    Well for now I only have two pedals: Shannon Overdrive and an old Boss BF-1 Flanger (yes, the big blue one!) I found on my sisters attic. Both are without adapters and both need 9V, though the Flanger is better (or is supposed to go) with a 12V adapter. And since it's an old pedal it needs a special Boss ACA-adapter.

    So if there are easy ways to hook both of them up, eg a pedalboard, let me know. Thanks!

    I know the Voodoo Labs Pedal Power 2 has support for the old 12-volt Boss pedals, but that's a $165 US power supply. I know, because I own one, and it's GREAT! but maybe too expensive for your particular application.

    I'd suggest individual adapters on a surge protector. Try to find a surge protector that is specifically designed for wall-warts. This one is probably the best on the market:

    http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=home/search/detail/base_pid/421950/
    ...and if you don't like it, you can suck on an egg.
  • WiLL75WiLL75 Posts: 415
    mccreadyisgod wrote:
    I know the Voodoo Labs Pedal Power 2 has support for the old 12-volt Boss pedals, but that's a $165 US power supply. I know, because I own one, and it's GREAT! but maybe too expensive for your particular application.

    I'm seriously considering that power supply. The one I have right night was $60. I'm thinking it might solve some of my buzz issues, because how it is now is the power adapter has the wah, two distortions, tuner going into it. Then it's plugged into a power bar and the two line6 pedals are plugged into the power bar and from the power bar to the wall outlet.

    Another question I've been meaning to ask is about my line6 delay. Whenever I turn it on, my volume drops noticably. To a lesser degree, my line6 mm4 does the same thing. Is there not enough power getting to them or something? The mix button is always on full, so that there's no mix between the dry signal and the wet signal. It's all wet.
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  • mccreadyisgodmccreadyisgod Posts: 6,395
    I can't help with your q's on the Line 6 pedals. I do know the Pedal Power 2 can power up those pedals, but that's the most I can tell you.

    As far as sound, though, the Pedal Power 2 is great! It really helps with ground / buzz issues, especially with power conditioning and isolated supplies. It's really cleaned up my sound, I can tell you that. I need to get a daisy-chain soon, though... I'm going to add a new Line 6 Tremolo, and I'm already using all my outlets.
    ...and if you don't like it, you can suck on an egg.
  • exhaustedexhausted Posts: 6,638
    WiLL75 wrote:
    Another question I've been meaning to ask is about my line6 delay. Whenever I turn it on, my volume drops noticably. To a lesser degree, my line6 mm4 does the same thing. Is there not enough power getting to them or something? The mix button is always on full, so that there's no mix between the dry signal and the wet signal. It's all wet.


    not a power issue if you're using the proper adapters. the MM4 is known to have the volume drop on some models. i've never had a problem with the DL4 but i never use extremly high wet mixes either.

    maybe switch them to non-true bypass mode.
  • WiLL75WiLL75 Posts: 415
    mccreadyisgod wrote:
    I can't help with your q's on the Line 6 pedals. I do know the Pedal Power 2 can power up those pedals, but that's the most I can tell you.

    As far as sound, though, the Pedal Power 2 is great! It really helps with ground / buzz issues, especially with power conditioning and isolated supplies. It's really cleaned up my sound, I can tell you that. I need to get a daisy-chain soon, though... I'm going to add a new Line 6 Tremolo, and I'm already using all my outlets.

    Ok then, I know what my two purchases will be this spring. Keeley rat followed by the pedal power 2. Sounds like most of my buzz issues will be solved with the PP2.
    7-9-03 New York(MSG II baby!)
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  • WiLL75WiLL75 Posts: 415
    exhausted wrote:
    not a power issue if you're using the proper adapters. the MM4 is known to have the volume drop on some models. i've never had a problem with the DL4 but i never use extremly high wet mixes either.

    maybe switch them to non-true bypass mode.

    I was talking to my friend who also owns the store where I bought them. He was surprized I had the mix all the way up. He said to turn the mix to half and try that.

    As far as I know, it's in true bypass mode when you get it. I thought keeping it like that was a good thing?
    7-9-03 New York(MSG II baby!)
    9-4-05 Calgary (10c Tix!)
    8-8-09 Calgary
    9-21-12 Calgary (10c Tix! Row 12!!)
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