@@jakekiernan33 Love the ambient bass guitar much more than I expected. Maybe do a whole channel of it called "Chords of Sagittarius". Just thinking out loud here...
Something like a USB C Battery Bank could work - modify it to fit in the wiring cavity, you would likely need another small circuit to convert voltage from what the battery supplies to the 9V DC the pickup is looking for. but if you can do something like that, then you could have it all inside, and just a single usb c port for recharging. Sounds super cool on the bass as well. P.S. - you could just use a small power distribution board to supply both the original pickups and the sustainiac. then one battery bank could serve the whole bass.
The issue with the sustainiac is not much the voltage, but the current. A sustainiac driver can use up to 100 mA in peak operation, which is beyond what the ideal solution would be, which is the Fishman Fluence Universal Battery.
I love musicians who go to great lengths for a new sound. Way to go Jake! If you want a clean sound, (Less squeak from fingers sliding) consider sacrificing a little top-end tone and try Flat Wound strings. It should produce a very smooth sound and you might even find it preferable as the Sustaniac does tend to amplify only the higher frequency range.
Thanks so much! I know what you mean, I'm learning how to keep string noise under control. As for flat wound strings, I've tried them and I greatly dislike them. I might have better examples of less strong noise in my TH-cam shorts section if you're curious.
@@jakekiernan33 I agree. I can't stand flat wounds for my style of playing, but I can understand why some guys like them for a certain purpose. So yeah, I would just cut the top end a bit myself to reduce the string noise.
Man, this is soooo much better than an e-bow; the e-bow is clunky and hard to keep in the right position over the strings. This was a fascinating video to watch/listen to; wishing you continued inspiration and success!
For the battery drain issue id take a 9 volt power supply from a cheap pedal and wire it in and use a one spot power supply to plug it in and power it straight off my pedalboard or whatever you may need to set up to use it live. Just put the imput by the imput jack on the side somewhere and or possibly on the back somewhere maybe notched or recessed.
That's true, it could work! The only issue I have with that is I want to be able to play the bass with the sustainiac wirelessly too. Just a preference thing.
Awesome. I remember when I first heard about the Fernandez sustainer and I wanted it so bad. I now have a schecter 7 with sustainiac and I love it so much. I want to retrofit all my guitars with one. I absolutely love seeing a bass with a tremolo and sustainer.
Thanks so much! I tried to get a hold of a Fernandes sustainer but they were hard to find for some reason, almost like they went out of business but I'm not sure. I agree, sustainers are amazing!
This is sick. I might have to get one myself... Though I would probably use it with the added active pickup option - would be interesting to here the pickup by itself. As for the power draw, there's a pretty unique solution involving making a "power injector" pedal. Basically, you make a pedal with a stereo input where the second channel is 9v (you can get 9 or even 18 volts from any pedalboard power supply). With very little rewiring of the bass you can power everything on the bass through the TRS cable, only caveat is that you would have to take this power injector with you - but you can always add switch to turn this feature off. If you always play through a pedalboard, or use a specific amp/di setup, this is a killer option. Haven't done it yet myself, but if I actually go ahead with this sustaniac thing (I play mostly passive on my Cravin SB5000, if I already add active pickups I'll probably redo the electronics to be fully active as well) I would 100% go for this. There's a few guys that do this and it's reportedly very reliable.
I like the tone on those sustained notes with the whammy. Very ambient sounding. Keep at it! Speaking of drilling into your bass ha check my patented fretboard mod. Added vertical scallops to allow new bends and pulloffs. The edge of the fretcorner plucks the string to add extra notes to pulloffs / alternate vibrato and more. If you wanna demo 1 I’ll send you a bass. It’s good to try new styles and build skill in new ways. As far as your Vai example he actually bends off the fretwire on Blue Powder which gives the technique history.
I’ve always wanted to put a whammy bar on my 4 or 5 string and experiment with other bass mods, but those whammy bars are expensive! Anyway, this is really inspiring man, subbed and can’t wait for more of your content
You may have to rig it up slightly as far as placement, but fishman makes rechargeable battery ports that you can use for guitars and basses. There’s a universal one, but with your bass, you’d probably have to make a custom backplate or something to put it on, but that would work. You just plug your bass into the wall and it’s supposed to give you like 300 hours
I looked into the Fishman batteries last night! I realized my control cavity doesn't have enough room for the universal one. Plus, I already have several batteries that I can just swap if one dies.
love this video and the idea. Here's what you got me thinking: If the sustainiac requires the use of one of your pickups but you need your bridge and neck pickup for your own signature sound (as I do), why not build a guitar with a 3rd pickup dedicated specifically to the sustainiac? Can the sustainiac fire off a piezo pickup? You could mount piezos near the bridge so they wouldn't take up a bunch of extra space. If anyone tries this, please tag me with the results.
Thanks! Fortunately i can still use both pickups, just not when the sustainiac is on. If i could get a custom preamp that has the pickups wired separately instead of together, it would definitely work.
Suggestion about the battery. Install a regular power input for a power source. For power source, use a regular 9V adapter. To make things convenient, attach a power chord along your regular signal cord. The adapter can easily be put nearby the amp. I don't know if interference would be a problem, but since it's DC I don't think it will. And if it does, then you know what your next video is about. :)
I've thought about this! It should work, but I'd much prefer wireless playing. If I can, I'd like to just pick up the bass and play with the sustainiac like magic, as it is right now. Looking for longer lasting batteries atm.
@@jakekiernan33 I'm old school and didn't even think about wireless :D But I guess you could route out a big cavity to be able to put a much larger battery there. Extra plus if you include a usb charger. Another thought is buying two usb power banks and connect them in series, which would yield 10V.
Sounds nice, and it's always interesting to see experiments. Fter years of trying to convince him, a friend of mine had a bass made by a luthier, with a tremolo, he never used it! Your sustainiac sounds like a E-bow (I used it too with my bass.)
@@jakekiernan33 I tried for long, and told him it was shame that he didn't used it for anything constructive, except to brag about it occasionly. Since, I have acquired the 'Bigsby' by Game changer (so he can keep it collecting dust. Keep up the good work!
I tried it on my Hohner fret less in the 90’s , 1 watt amp feeding the bridge pick-up from the bridge pick-up through a square wave generator, very interesting effect , also we were trying to play a record with a laser and these chaps came with a laser doplometer ( forgive spelling ) that looked at the reflected light and gave an output , soo we pointed it my bass and it came out of my bass stack :-) very cool 😎 Some years later at the beginning of a certain Bond movie , he had one mounted to his gun linked to his earpiece so it was a listening device , exactly what this device could do :-)
you could run nine volts up a stereo cable, on the ring connection; my old variax does something like that if you don't want to risk running it on batteries.
could always build a battery pack to put on your strap made of lithium ion cells. would need to see if the bass, or the sustaniac can handle slightly higher voltage, cause 2 in series might be too low but 3 in series is noticeably higher 3s2p (i think is the right way to write it) would be a beefy pack with only six batteries
Not to be pedantic, just sharing the knowledge. The modes on the Sustainiac are not normal, one octave and two octave, they are fundamental, mix and harmonic. Fundamental producing mostly the original note/1st harmonic that is being played, mix being a mixture of fundamental and 2nd/3rd harmonics depending on string and position on the neck, and harmonic being 5th or 7th harmonics. Love t he video it's a really cool instrument, just thought it's always good to share the knowledge
Could you do a LiPo battery mod on the current battery compartment that would provide the output for both the sustainiac and the preamp? If you used a USB C charger board you could presumably use a decent sized battery bank to keep the juice going during longer sessions. USB power delivery is absolutely crazy these days.
The ebow does not work very well on bass in case anyone was wondering (and I use tiny strings on my basses). Plus its clunky in the hand.. I love the beginning of pearl jams ten type bass tone!!
This is very cool! Only 4 minutes in, intrigued. Guess: you have to decouple or have a cutoff switch? Reverse polarity? Had to pause. 2.54 cm is 1 inch. 3.5" is circa 9 cm. Onward. Bravo, innovator!
9v idea: rechargeable li-ion 18650, three in series with a resistor or some thing, a light that eats up the extra 2v? Bulky tho. Or ac/dc 9v wired? RF interference likely need some sort of isolation, similar to whats happening to require the distance between the pickups. Shielding for the sustainiac? Or lowering power to reduce range of its magnetic field and then make up gain through the pickup outside of the body and cable out, like a jfet pedal but something grounded i would imagine, like a preamp? Seems this is more of a microphone than a simple electric guitar signal. Maybe convert the bass to a stereo output config, but then its a totally different storyall together. Anyhoo its morning I should be drunk by now
Have you thought about wiring it in with a 9v power supply? Or do you think that would cause too much interference? I was thinking you could run a power cable along with your output and maybe plug in the back on the rear cover (could kind of be in the way though) in order to have indefinite power. But I dunno, I'm also just commenting toward the start of the video so I'm sure there's more to learn
i have this system on my 6 string. i run a NIHM power pack , which lives in my comfort strap . there is a glass fuse , it terminates in a 2.1mm dc plug . there is a female 2.1mm dc connector on the guitar that lives on the instruments side , about 2 inches north of the 1/4 output . which on this fernandes guitar its on the side . yes , i drilled thru the body of the guitar in order to run the wire and install the jack. i used a 9 volt battery snap , soldered to the jack . connect this to the existing 9 volt snap . so if i choose to i can run the systm as it was designed . but i dont . i have also modified xlr cables to carry 9 volt . i use a pair of wire running out of thr 1/4 inch plugs , about 2 inches , terminating in a heavy duty 90 2.1mm dc plugs . the only timei had any issue was with super hiogh gain patches that also use a flanger i had a bit of noise on one system , but in that instance i was using power supplys not battery packs . if you use a nihm pack you will never get noise . the reason why one would wish to do this ? the life of a 9 volt battery , in sustainer use is 30 minutes .
Awesome mod, Jake 😎🤘🏻🎸 it’s fascinating on how you make your bass produce unique sounds with a sustaniac pickup and a whammy bar. Kinda sounds like Peter Steele meets Steve vai.
Instead of a PP3 9 volt battery, why not try using rechargeable battery packs. Another way is to use rechargeable PP3's in parallel which would increase the amount of storage capacity without increasing the voltage, essentially making the increase of power only in terms of their storage capacity. If you are looking to make up a battery pack remember adding in series adds up the voltage and in parallel increases the amp hours.
Put DI box internally and run a cannon 3 pin lead and a dedicated power supply box like phantom power for microphones :-) , would have to have an arrangement of preamp to re amp circuit in the dedicated box for amplifier level output plus DI/ line level :-) I built my own re amp box and it’s great :-)
You can run multiple 9 volt batteries in parallel and double the MAH and life with either type of 9 volt. Rechargeables might perform better with the 2 in parallel as well. I have thought about trying 2 18650 lithium ion batteries in series since I have a bunch of the battery boxes chargers and batteries. I think it would probably be the best option next to a wall wart for real. 8.4 volts might do it. I'll find out soon. Some might handle 12.6 volt with 3 in series
I appreciate the suggestion! No worries, i solved the problem. I was using batteries that weren't lithium ion! The sustainiac is fully installed now: update video coming soon!
What about those rechargeable 9V batteries with the built-in usb connector for charging? For the permanent install, you could extend the cable to a mounted port for connecting an external cable. Also, you will definitely want a switch to disconnect the battery if you don't already.
True, they are achieving similar effects! However, a Sustainiac is a very powerful version of an Ebow. The main difference is Sustainiacs vibrate all the strings at once rather than one at a time like the Ebow. Also, Sustainiacs operate based on input from your guitar's pickups, so the sustain is incredibly accurate for each string and note you play, whereas the Ebow just drones one frequency that isn't the best. And more!
Dumb question here, but just found yer video- Kahler trem, Im assuming? What are the pros and cons? Ive dreamt of a Claypool 29 fret Carl Thompson replica and Ive heard horror stories of the trem I have a Sustaniac on my Schecter. So much fun, man. Even if it sounds like shit lolol its just so ambient
Nice! Yes it's a Kahler. Pros include more expressive playing and unique sounds. Because the trem uses a rolling system, your action doesn't drastically change when you use it like a Floyd Rose, plus no locking nut is needed for bass! The adjustability is also versatile and sturdy. And as far as I can tell, the routing and trem DID NOT change the tone of my bass like everyone says. Cons include the price and routing. You do have to route a hole in your instrument, but thankfully not all the way through like a Floyd Rose (which is another pro). Of course, the trem is a permanent feature because the original bridge won't fit after the routing is complete.
Have you tried a DigiTech FreqOut by any chance? Love it on guitar, haven't tried it on bass myself but just watched a vid titled "Don't FreQout! It's just the DigiTech FreQout on bass!" and it does a lot of what your rig is doing, plus it'll do the fundamentals and even a sub-octave. Plus a momentary switch and even a switch that'll give you just the wet signal. That's a cool, ingenious rig you put together but you might want to check this out before firing up the router.
That might make things more complicated because I'm not sure if those are compatible with the sustainiac. Right now it's just plug and play as intended by the manufacturer.
@@jakekiernan33 I would imagine that something like the ART Tube MP pedal could provide the phantom power through the XLR safely, and also take the output from the bass, which you could then take a line out of into an amp. Might be an option rather than numerous batteries or even needing a separate power cable.
I was gunna suggest a stereo cable and a custom pedal with a stereo input that could pass through the signal to the rest of your signal path and provide +9v (via a psu) to the bass. But maybe having the signal and power live running next to each other might be bad? Or would be a simple mod to the bass and the pedal would be straight forward to build as well
@@jakekiernan33 you'd definitely want to plug it in sober anyway! I can't remember any of the names cuz it's 5am for me but there are a few guitar models that have had off-board power supplied along the same cable as the signal. Maybe those super 80s-looking Roland synth guitars?
The title me wonder whether it would be possible to fit a sustainiac into a whammy bar, either magnetically or even with a transducer making the bridge vibrate. The transducer might even avoid the EM interference if it's piezo based. :)
@@jakekiernan33 I should have been a bit more clear I meant something like a sustainiac, not the actual unit :D The sustain block should offer enough room to fit something :) I'm just not sure how to test that brainfart in a economical manner.
The rechargeable 9vs work, but they only last a few hours if I use the sustainiac constantly. That's not terrible, I can still do a complete concert set in that time.
Cool idea and project. check out Michael Manring on ebow and bass too. Wish sustaniac would make an 8 string guitar sustaniac and manufacturers made a 8 string fan fret trem.
Cool! Have you checked out the moog guitar? Similar concept but really advanced circuitry to do some extra ‘stuff’! Also, check out Micheal Manring (if you haven’t already)…he uses an e-bow on bass.
Do you manufacture these sustainers yourself? Looking to install one “hidden” under the pickup cover on my ‘68 Gibson EBO for an upcoming Bass Vi conversion
They are made by Sustainiac and Maniac Music! I don't recommend covering it because it probably needs to be unobstructed to work best. My sustainer is temporarily upside down for testing, these sustainers are meant to be installed just like regular neck pickups.
Amazing! Loved this! Feels like there's a groundswell of progress in instrumental music production. Check out Anthony Marinelli viewing the new Osmose synth at NAMM. Not a bass, but so many parallels with this search for the power to control expression!
I see what you're saying, but that would probably be impossible to mount, and it will always interfere with the neck pickup because both pickups are wired together permanently.
I appreciate the offer! I have all the tools necessary to do it myself, my main concern is the relationship between the battery pack hole and the sustainiac hole. I'll let you know if i need help.
Hmmm...interesting. But ya do know that there are a lot of companies that make a thing called a 6string guitar and I am certain that if you get yourself one you will be able to get the sound you are trying to get out of that 4string bass.
I've had success with a DIY sustainer on a 4-string fretless bass. I used a simple single-coil driver, an op-amp preamp and a discrete 2-transistor push-pull power amplifier. If I'd used a bilateral driver, it would've been even better. This guy is getting no sustain at fundamental frequencies BECAUSE the (guitar) Sustainiac circuit filters them out. I had no such problem...
Why would any actually professional or even hobbyist musicians view this as weird? Music is all about exploration/experimentation, pushing boundaries and the absurd.
Oh Wow Did he know that the British band 10CC used this way back Also why not use a Ebow each individual strings. No need to drill holes in the bass. Voila.
![ละลาย (LALALYE) - DAOU PITTAYA ต้าห์อู๋ พิทยา [OFFICIAL MV]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/wo6r9TgausI/mqdefault.jpg)
Wow, that really works well with our bass whammy!
Thanks so much! Another video like this coming soon.
@@jakekiernan33 got any that highlight our bridge?
Filming that as we speak! Coming soon.
Peter Steele from Type O Negative used sustainiacs on his basses!
I heard! I didn't know until yesterday.
was going to say, idol of a bass player
@@jakekiernan33 Watch their performances at BIzzare Festival 1999 or Tuska 2003, he's definitey using Sustainer-loaded basses there.
It was a prototype Fernandez sustainer.
@@Greenlantern115 Yes sorry I meant sustainer not sustainiac
The suction cup mount is genious! Really cool way to try stuff out
Thank you so much!
What kind of maniac? A sustainiac.
Lmao!!
@@jakekiernan33 Love the ambient bass guitar much more than I expected. Maybe do a whole channel of it called "Chords of Sagittarius". Just thinking out loud here...
Dude this is fantastic!!! Can't wait to see more of it and your videos!
Thank you so much! Glad you enjoy
Something like a USB C Battery Bank could work - modify it to fit in the wiring cavity, you would likely need another small circuit to convert voltage from what the battery supplies to the 9V DC the pickup is looking for. but if you can do something like that, then you could have it all inside, and just a single usb c port for recharging.
Sounds super cool on the bass as well.
P.S. - you could just use a small power distribution board to supply both the original pickups and the sustainiac. then one battery bank could serve the whole bass.
The cavity is really full at the moment, but I'll look into that! Thanks for the suggestion.
The issue with the sustainiac is not much the voltage, but the current. A sustainiac driver can use up to 100 mA in peak operation, which is beyond what the ideal solution would be, which is the Fishman Fluence Universal Battery.
This is by far the coolest thing I've seen today.
I appreciate that!!
That temporary mounting solution is really smart. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much! I'm glad you think so.
Agree. That was a real “oh, why haven’t I thought about that!” 😊
that sustain/slight distortion is one of the coolest sounds i've ever heard from a guitar period....
Thanks so much! It's like a secret weapon...
That does sound really pretty on a bass
Thanks, I agree! I'm glad you think so.
I love musicians who go to great lengths for a new sound. Way to go Jake!
If you want a clean sound, (Less squeak from fingers sliding) consider sacrificing a little top-end tone and try Flat Wound strings. It should produce a very smooth sound and you might even find it preferable as the Sustaniac does tend to amplify only the higher frequency range.
Thanks so much! I know what you mean, I'm learning how to keep string noise under control. As for flat wound strings, I've tried them and I greatly dislike them. I might have better examples of less strong noise in my TH-cam shorts section if you're curious.
@@jakekiernan33 I agree. I can't stand flat wounds for my style of playing, but I can understand why some guys like them for a certain purpose. So yeah, I would just cut the top end a bit myself to reduce the string noise.
You can get strings between flat wound and normal ones. Called half wound I think.
Man, this is soooo much better than an e-bow; the e-bow is clunky and hard to keep in the right position over the strings. This was a fascinating video to watch/listen to; wishing you continued inspiration and success!
Thank you so much! I agree with you
For the battery drain issue id take a 9 volt power supply from a cheap pedal and wire it in and use a one spot power supply to plug it in and power it straight off my pedalboard or whatever you may need to set up to use it live. Just put the imput by the imput jack on the side somewhere and or possibly on the back somewhere maybe notched or recessed.
That's true, it could work! The only issue I have with that is I want to be able to play the bass with the sustainiac wirelessly too. Just a preference thing.
Awesome. I remember when I first heard about the Fernandez sustainer and I wanted it so bad.
I now have a schecter 7 with sustainiac and I love it so much. I want to retrofit all my guitars with one.
I absolutely love seeing a bass with a tremolo and sustainer.
Thanks so much! I tried to get a hold of a Fernandes sustainer but they were hard to find for some reason, almost like they went out of business but I'm not sure. I agree, sustainers are amazing!
Thats so clever to mount a temporary pickup on it like that without routing or drilling. You might need to patent that!
I appreciate that! Soon I'll get the proper tools to install it for real, wish me luck.
This is sick. I might have to get one myself... Though I would probably use it with the added active pickup option - would be interesting to here the pickup by itself.
As for the power draw, there's a pretty unique solution involving making a "power injector" pedal.
Basically, you make a pedal with a stereo input where the second channel is 9v (you can get 9 or even 18 volts from any pedalboard power supply).
With very little rewiring of the bass you can power everything on the bass through the TRS cable, only caveat is that you would have to take this power injector with you - but you can always add switch to turn this feature off.
If you always play through a pedalboard, or use a specific amp/di setup, this is a killer option.
Haven't done it yet myself, but if I actually go ahead with this sustaniac thing (I play mostly passive on my Cravin SB5000, if I already add active pickups I'll probably redo the electronics to be fully active as well) I would 100% go for this. There's a few guys that do this and it's reportedly very reliable.
I like the tone on those sustained notes with the whammy. Very ambient sounding. Keep at it!
Speaking of drilling into your bass ha check my patented fretboard mod. Added vertical scallops to allow new bends and pulloffs. The edge of the fretcorner plucks the string to add extra notes to pulloffs / alternate vibrato and more. If you wanna demo 1 I’ll send you a bass. It’s good to try new styles and build skill in new ways.
As far as your Vai example he actually bends off the fretwire on Blue Powder which gives the technique history.
I’ve always wanted to put a whammy bar on my 4 or 5 string and experiment with other bass mods, but those whammy bars are expensive! Anyway, this is really inspiring man, subbed and can’t wait for more of your content
Thank you so much! I agree, the tremolos can be expensive but I'd say they're worth it.
You know, you might wire it up with a balanced XLR output and use the +48V to power the gadgets.
I'll look into that!
your tone is amazing!
Thank you so much!
Peter steele did this to his basses. Sounded incredible!.
Very true!
That FM Bass in the background shows me you're a man of culture❤
Thanks! I'm not the average bass player lol
@@jakekiernan33 I can see that 🔥🔥🔥 keep doing the great work!
Strong flute vibes with this little gadget. I dig. Great job
I agree, thanks so much! I have some shorter videos showcasing better tones too.
You may have to rig it up slightly as far as placement, but fishman makes rechargeable battery ports that you can use for guitars and basses. There’s a universal one, but with your bass, you’d probably have to make a custom backplate or something to put it on, but that would work. You just plug your bass into the wall and it’s supposed to give you like 300 hours
I looked into the Fishman batteries last night! I realized my control cavity doesn't have enough room for the universal one. Plus, I already have several batteries that I can just swap if one dies.
love this video and the idea.
Here's what you got me thinking:
If the sustainiac requires the use of one of your pickups but you need your bridge and neck pickup for your own signature sound (as I do), why not build a guitar with a 3rd pickup dedicated specifically to the sustainiac? Can the sustainiac fire off a piezo pickup? You could mount piezos near the bridge so they wouldn't take up a bunch of extra space.
If anyone tries this, please tag me with the results.
Thanks! Fortunately i can still use both pickups, just not when the sustainiac is on. If i could get a custom preamp that has the pickups wired separately instead of together, it would definitely work.
Suggestion about the battery. Install a regular power input for a power source. For power source, use a regular 9V adapter. To make things convenient, attach a power chord along your regular signal cord. The adapter can easily be put nearby the amp. I don't know if interference would be a problem, but since it's DC I don't think it will. And if it does, then you know what your next video is about. :)
I've thought about this! It should work, but I'd much prefer wireless playing. If I can, I'd like to just pick up the bass and play with the sustainiac like magic, as it is right now. Looking for longer lasting batteries atm.
@@jakekiernan33 I'm old school and didn't even think about wireless :D
But I guess you could route out a big cavity to be able to put a much larger battery there. Extra plus if you include a usb charger.
Another thought is buying two usb power banks and connect them in series, which would yield 10V.
Sounds nice, and it's always interesting to see experiments. Fter years of trying to convince him, a friend of mine had a bass made by a luthier, with a tremolo, he never used it! Your sustainiac sounds like a E-bow (I used it too with my bass.)
Thank you! Convince your friend to lend you that bass so that tremolo can get some use!
@@jakekiernan33 I tried for long, and told him it was shame that he didn't used it for anything constructive, except to brag about it occasionly. Since, I have acquired the 'Bigsby' by Game changer (so he can keep it collecting dust. Keep up the good work!
Best sounding base in the game right now brother Noiice influence leads to actual success 😂
Thank you, that means the world to me!!
I moded a bass to work with an external ac/dc converter trough a xlr cable like a phantom power
I tried it on my Hohner fret less in the 90’s , 1 watt amp feeding the bridge pick-up from the bridge pick-up through a square wave generator, very interesting effect , also we were trying to play a record with a laser and these chaps came with a laser doplometer ( forgive spelling ) that looked at the reflected light and gave an output , soo we pointed it my bass and it came out of my bass stack :-) very cool 😎
Some years later at the beginning of a certain Bond movie , he had one mounted to his gun linked to his earpiece so it was a listening device , exactly what this device could do :-)
you could run nine volts up a stereo cable, on the ring connection; my old variax does something like that if you don't want to risk running it on batteries.
That's true, I could do that!
could always build a battery pack to put on your strap made of lithium ion cells. would need to see if the bass, or the sustaniac can handle slightly higher voltage, cause 2 in series might be too low but 3 in series is noticeably higher 3s2p (i think is the right way to write it) would be a beefy pack with only six batteries
Interesting, I'll look into that. Thanks for the suggestion!
Not to be pedantic, just sharing the knowledge. The modes on the Sustainiac are not normal, one octave and two octave, they are fundamental, mix and harmonic. Fundamental producing mostly the original note/1st harmonic that is being played, mix being a mixture of fundamental and 2nd/3rd harmonics depending on string and position on the neck, and harmonic being 5th or 7th harmonics. Love t he video it's a really cool instrument, just thought it's always good to share the knowledge
Could you do a LiPo battery mod on the current battery compartment that would provide the output for both the sustainiac and the preamp? If you used a USB C charger board you could presumably use a decent sized battery bank to keep the juice going during longer sessions. USB power delivery is absolutely crazy these days.
I'll look into that! Thanks for the suggestion.
The ebow does not work very well on bass in case anyone was wondering (and I use tiny strings on my basses). Plus its clunky in the hand.. I love the beginning of pearl jams ten type bass tone!!
This is true! I get a lot of Ebow comments so it's nice to see someone who knows what's going on here.
This is very cool! Only 4 minutes in, intrigued. Guess: you have to decouple or have a cutoff switch? Reverse polarity? Had to pause. 2.54 cm is 1 inch. 3.5" is circa 9 cm. Onward. Bravo, innovator!
9v idea: rechargeable li-ion 18650, three in series with a resistor or some thing, a light that eats up the extra 2v? Bulky tho. Or ac/dc 9v wired? RF interference likely need some sort of isolation, similar to whats happening to require the distance between the pickups. Shielding for the sustainiac? Or lowering power to reduce range of its magnetic field and then make up gain through the pickup outside of the body and cable out, like a jfet pedal but something grounded i would imagine, like a preamp? Seems this is more of a microphone than a simple electric guitar signal. Maybe convert the bass to a stereo output config, but then its a totally different storyall together. Anyhoo its morning I should be drunk by now
I'll see what i can do here, thanks so much for all the suggestions!!
Dude this is awesome! Love me a good frankentein’d set up.
Sounds so cool! Great work
Thanks so much! I can relate lol.
Have you thought about wiring it in with a 9v power supply? Or do you think that would cause too much interference?
I was thinking you could run a power cable along with your output and maybe plug in the back on the rear cover (could kind of be in the way though) in order to have indefinite power.
But I dunno, I'm also just commenting toward the start of the video so I'm sure there's more to learn
No worries, this video was made a whole ago. Turns out, i was using the wrong batteries. Problem solved!
i have this system on my 6 string. i run a NIHM power pack , which lives in my comfort strap . there is a glass fuse , it terminates in a 2.1mm dc plug . there is a female 2.1mm dc connector on the guitar that lives on the instruments side , about 2 inches north of the 1/4 output . which on this fernandes guitar its on the side . yes , i drilled thru the body of the guitar in order to run the wire and install the jack. i used a 9 volt battery snap , soldered to the jack . connect this to the existing 9 volt snap . so if i choose to i can run the systm as it was designed . but i dont . i have also modified xlr cables to carry 9 volt . i use a pair of wire running out of thr 1/4 inch plugs , about 2 inches , terminating in a heavy duty 90 2.1mm dc plugs . the only timei had any issue was with super hiogh gain patches that also use a flanger i had a bit of noise on one system , but in that instance i was using power supplys not battery packs . if you use a nihm pack you will never get noise . the reason why one would wish to do this ? the life of a 9 volt battery , in sustainer use is 30 minutes .
Keep experimenting, brother.😂
I've read the comments and the suggestions are pretty interesting
Thanks! I agree, lots of ideas down here.
Awesome mod, Jake 😎🤘🏻🎸 it’s fascinating on how you make your bass produce unique sounds with a sustaniac pickup and a whammy bar. Kinda sounds like Peter Steele meets Steve vai.
Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoy seeing my experiments💙🔥
It might be a pain to implement, not sure on the kitbashing qualities; but if you want a solid rechargable 9v, look into the pedaltrain volto.
Will do, thanks for the recommendation!
Fishman has a few varieties of USB-rechargable battery packs for their active pickups.
Thank you for this comment, I legit never knew and I'm going to check that out right away.
@@jakekiernan33Glad to hear that. I love what you do. Please keep it up. Thank you!
Instead of a PP3 9 volt battery, why not try using rechargeable battery packs. Another way is to use rechargeable PP3's in parallel which would increase the amount of storage capacity without increasing the voltage, essentially making the increase of power only in terms of their storage capacity. If you are looking to make up a battery pack remember adding in series adds up the voltage and in parallel increases the amp hours.
That Vai snippet was from Whispering a Prayer right? I never thought of a sustainiac on a bass, great idea man!!!!
Yes it is! Thank you, another Sustainiac video coming soon!
You could try using something like the EMG ES-918 external power supply to power both the pre-amp and sustainiac.
I could! I'd like to be able to play wirelessly however, but good idea!
That's a good idea. Take em for a test ride before router comes out
Thank you, I agree!
Put DI box internally and run a cannon 3 pin lead and a dedicated power supply box like phantom power for microphones :-) , would have to have an arrangement of preamp to re amp circuit in the dedicated box for amplifier level output plus DI/ line level :-) I built my own re amp box and it’s great :-)
Interesting, I'll look into that. Thanks for the recommendation!
Digitech FREQOUT +
EHX Deep Freeze =
Similar setup in pedal form?
I need someone trying this.
AWESOME DUDE!!!!!!!!!!!
THANK YOU!!!
You can run multiple 9 volt batteries in parallel and double the MAH and life with either type of 9 volt. Rechargeables might perform better with the 2 in parallel as well. I have thought about trying 2 18650 lithium ion batteries in series since I have a bunch of the battery boxes chargers and batteries. I think it would probably be the best option next to a wall wart for real. 8.4 volts might do it. I'll find out soon. Some might handle 12.6 volt with 3 in series
I appreciate the suggestion! No worries, i solved the problem. I was using batteries that weren't lithium ion! The sustainiac is fully installed now: update video coming soon!
@@jakekiernan33working installing my Veyz Sustainer
What about those rechargeable 9V batteries with the built-in usb connector for charging? For the permanent install, you could extend the cable to a mounted port for connecting an external cable. Also, you will definitely want a switch to disconnect the battery if you don't already.
I see what you're saying! USB batteries are on my list to try next, thanks for the suggestion.
Im going to see Steve Vai with Beat in December, it is very very exciting.
Awesome! He always puts on a great show
What is the difference between the Sustainiac and just using an Ebow? To me it sounds as if you are achieving similar effects.
True, they are achieving similar effects! However, a Sustainiac is a very powerful version of an Ebow. The main difference is Sustainiacs vibrate all the strings at once rather than one at a time like the Ebow. Also, Sustainiacs operate based on input from your guitar's pickups, so the sustain is incredibly accurate for each string and note you play, whereas the Ebow just drones one frequency that isn't the best. And more!
Well, that answers my question. Best of luck when you are ready to brave the router.
sounds great! but I wouldn't ruin a spector for that, perhaps is time to get a custom build by a luthier?
I'm willing to risk it all😈
Dumb question here, but just found yer video- Kahler trem, Im assuming? What are the pros and cons? Ive dreamt of a Claypool 29 fret Carl Thompson replica and Ive heard horror stories of the trem
I have a Sustaniac on my Schecter. So much fun, man. Even if it sounds like shit lolol its just so ambient
Nice! Yes it's a Kahler. Pros include more expressive playing and unique sounds. Because the trem uses a rolling system, your action doesn't drastically change when you use it like a Floyd Rose, plus no locking nut is needed for bass! The adjustability is also versatile and sturdy. And as far as I can tell, the routing and trem DID NOT change the tone of my bass like everyone says.
Cons include the price and routing. You do have to route a hole in your instrument, but thankfully not all the way through like a Floyd Rose (which is another pro). Of course, the trem is a permanent feature because the original bridge won't fit after the routing is complete.
Oh boy! The velvet schrunchie! 😂
Lmao, it's a necessity
Put a 9vdc barrel jack and use a long pedal cable tied to your instrument cable. No batteries required.
Good idea! I would like to use the sustainiac wirelessly though...
couldn't phantom power from a Mixer or injector help here? You could transform the voltsge down if sustainiac need pure 9V
No worries, the sustainiac is already installed! (Video coming soon). The problem was i was using the wrong batteries, they were not lithium ion.
you're awesome, bro ! :D
I appreciate it!!
Have you tried a DigiTech FreqOut by any chance? Love it on guitar, haven't tried it on bass myself but just watched a vid titled "Don't FreQout! It's just the DigiTech FreQout on bass!" and it does a lot of what your rig is doing, plus it'll do the fundamentals and even a sub-octave. Plus a momentary switch and even a switch that'll give you just the wet signal. That's a cool, ingenious rig you put together but you might want to check this out before firing up the router.
Never heard of it, I'll check it out. Thanks for the recommendation!
Can't you wire in an XLR output on the bass instead of the jack, and use a mic preamp to provide power to the bass and Sustainiac?
That might make things more complicated because I'm not sure if those are compatible with the sustainiac. Right now it's just plug and play as intended by the manufacturer.
@@jakekiernan33 I would imagine that something like the ART Tube MP pedal could provide the phantom power through the XLR safely, and also take the output from the bass, which you could then take a line out of into an amp. Might be an option rather than numerous batteries or even needing a separate power cable.
I was gunna suggest a stereo cable and a custom pedal with a stereo input that could pass through the signal to the rest of your signal path and provide +9v (via a psu) to the bass. But maybe having the signal and power live running next to each other might be bad? Or would be a simple mod to the bass and the pedal would be straight forward to build as well
Might be a good way to blow things up lmao
@@jakekiernan33 you'd definitely want to plug it in sober anyway! I can't remember any of the names cuz it's 5am for me but there are a few guitar models that have had off-board power supplied along the same cable as the signal. Maybe those super 80s-looking Roland synth guitars?
Hi. Whats the brand of the strings that you are using? Thanks
Hey! The string brand is D'addario. I use the super light gauge (40-125).
The title me wonder whether it would be possible to fit a sustainiac into a whammy bar, either magnetically or even with a transducer making the bridge vibrate. The transducer might even avoid the EM interference if it's piezo based. :)
I wondered this too. After my experience with the Sustainiac, I can confirm that putting it INTO the whammy bar is completely impossible.
@@jakekiernan33 I should have been a bit more clear I meant something like a sustainiac, not the actual unit :D The sustain block should offer enough room to fit something :) I'm just not sure how to test that brainfart in a economical manner.
No worries, I know what you mean! It's a great idea nonetheless.
Why don't the rechargeable 9vs work? One option is hard wiring. Annoying, but never runs out. You could power both.
The rechargeable 9vs work, but they only last a few hours if I use the sustainiac constantly. That's not terrible, I can still do a complete concert set in that time.
Cool idea and project. check out Michael Manring on ebow and bass too.
Wish sustaniac would make an 8 string guitar sustaniac and manufacturers made a 8 string fan fret trem.
Michael Manring is awesome. Sustainiac miiight make 8 string models. Also, Kahler makes tremolos up to 10 strings!
Cool! Have you checked out the moog guitar? Similar concept but really advanced circuitry to do some extra ‘stuff’! Also, check out Micheal Manring (if you haven’t already)…he uses an e-bow on bass.
Never heard of moog guitar, I'll check it out. And yes, Michael Manring is very inspiring to me!
Is there any way to setup the board to use usb rechargeable?
There's USB rechargeable batteries that I'm tempted to try. I wonder how they compare to the rechargeables that i use now.
Do you manufacture these sustainers yourself? Looking to install one “hidden” under the pickup cover on my ‘68 Gibson EBO for an upcoming Bass Vi conversion
They are made by Sustainiac and Maniac Music! I don't recommend covering it because it probably needs to be unobstructed to work best. My sustainer is temporarily upside down for testing, these sustainers are meant to be installed just like regular neck pickups.
i just use my FreqOut, and sometimes i grab my Ebow and its super fun, ebow is hard with the bass though, but can work
True! That's why i didn't want an ebow.
Steve Vai is known for having several full size whales trapped within his touring guitars.
Lmao???
Awesome 🤘🍻🤘
Thank you!!🔥
Amazing! Loved this! Feels like there's a groundswell of progress in instrumental music production. Check out Anthony Marinelli viewing the new Osmose synth at NAMM. Not a bass, but so many parallels with this search for the power to control expression!
Thanks so much! I'll check that out for sure.
@@jakekiernan33 the new 2024 one I mean, not the one from 2023 that's pinned at the top of his channel
try placing it next to the 23-24 fret, it should sound better and not interfere with the neck pickup
I see what you're saying, but that would probably be impossible to mount, and it will always interfere with the neck pickup because both pickups are wired together permanently.
what kind of bass is it? and that bridge?
The bass is a Spector Euro5LX. The bridge is a Kahler XL4500 bass tremolo. I bought them separately and paid for an install.
Reminds me of Tuvin throat singing
I know what you're saying!
Great job 👍 very interesting..
Thank you!
Not bad!
Thank you!
He got that sound from watching Jeff Beck
Nah it was from a dream he had about playing the guitar like a flute.
Hey. I'm from Oregon, if you're interested, I can help you route the body for the sustainiac on a CNC
I appreciate the offer! I have all the tools necessary to do it myself, my main concern is the relationship between the battery pack hole and the sustainiac hole. I'll let you know if i need help.
Would be way cooler on a frettless
Perhaps🤔
Not the best demo but it works
needs a faraday cage
Interesting suggestion!
@@jakekiernan33 I used to build the sustainers for the Jackson PC-1, designed by Rick Knotts and Floyd Rose
An aluminum cage would give you maybe 1.5"-2" away
power it from a cable from your pedal board power supply
I'll look into that, thanks for the suggestion!
You could pretty easily power the whole bass from a pedal power supply without any real modification to the bass itself.
I am aware, but I'd really like to just pick up the bass and play with the sustainiac wirelessly. Something i forgot to mention the this video.
Hmmm...interesting. But ya do know that there are a lot of companies that make a thing called a 6string guitar and I am certain that if you get yourself one you will be able to get the sound you are trying to get out of that 4string bass.
Hmmm...interesting. I'm gonna dookie on your pillow tn🥰
Booooo get out with your tiny strings
Charles Berthoud has entered the chat…
Lmaooo😭
You got an instant subscribe from me
I appreciate your support!!
Susmaniac
Lmao
12k views, damn
Not sure if I deserve it, but I'm happy!
I would..BREAK my right hand
Lmao!!
I've had success with a DIY sustainer on a 4-string fretless bass.
I used a simple single-coil driver, an op-amp preamp and a discrete 2-transistor push-pull power amplifier.
If I'd used a bilateral driver, it would've been even better.
This guy is getting no sustain at fundamental frequencies BECAUSE the (guitar) Sustainiac circuit filters them out. I had no such problem...
Good for you elmo
I'll bet the Bass sustainiac circuit has larger blocking capacitors between stages, to let low frequencies through... @@jakekiernan33
Why would any actually professional or even hobbyist musicians view this as weird?
Music is all about exploration/experimentation, pushing boundaries and the absurd.
Well said, I completely agree!
I will never really understand why they never made these for basses :(
They make 4-string versions!
Jake, use lithium batteries only. 2: don’t leave it plugged in all the time and 3: experiment on a lesser price bass
1: I am using lithium batteries. 2: I don't leave it plugged in all the time. 3: I can experiment on whatever bass I want.
Lithium 9v rechargeable battery.
That's what I'm using right now lol.
@@jakekiernan33 😋
Oh Wow Did he know that the British band 10CC used this way back Also why not use a Ebow each individual strings. No need to drill holes in the bass. Voila.
This gotta be satire😭
you would have got it easier by using an e-bow
Tried it, and it didn't work. It's well known that e-bows don't work well for bass, and are inefficient all around.
#888 lucky like!
Thank you!!
Buy a bass ebow...der
"Buy a bass ebow...der"🤓