Ibanez TMB105 Talman Bass EQ Question

Bubble

Bubble

Apr 17, 2013
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#1
I looked at the photos and manual, there is nothing on the Ibanez TMB105 active EQ. How to turn it on or off. Does it have an active or passive select switch. I'm sure it doesn't sit burning the battery up.
It would be nice to own something that doesn't need a battery, at least optional.
 
#2
The TMB600 has a passive/active (EQ on/off) switch, but the TMB100/105 doesn't. Just unplug it when you're not using it, and you should get hundreds of hours of play time. Alternatively, one could also wire up a switch.
 
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#3
So I need to use it in active mode only. Better buy top quality alkaline batteries. I have had to put new battery holders in things I use cheap leaky batteries. I have had good luck with Panasonic.
 
#7
Ok now that makes sense, no switch to bump if you get spastic.
I strongly like the Talman style.
Sort of like a T-Bird, I like that but hear the T-Bird tricky to balance on the strap.

TMB100_BK_1P_02.png
 
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#9
I can repair any of those problems, but don't know if the pickups are passive compatible. The recessed jack is great, now add a Velcro strap somewhere (maybe back side) to act as a shock absorber and pulls loose on a hard snag before the jack sees any major force. Feed a loop of cord to the Velcro pad then affix it with the Velcro strap.

I don't know why I didn't think of the power switch in the jack, but I can claim the excuse of having the flu or cold for a week.
 
#10
The pickups are passive--it's the preamp that makes the bass active. I think these are the same pickups I had on my passive short scale Talman TMB30, and they're not all that great passive. (They sound OK, but they're rather bright, and they're a bit thin sounding with a band.) I think the preamp on the TMB100 helps overcome those shortcomings.
 
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#13
I'm not a fan of all active basses. I do however love passive pickups thru a preamp. I've played basses whose electronics are configured this way for years. I play a lot during the day. My basses are plugged in ALL day. And, I leave them plugged in on my shows the whole time. I play a lot. But my batteries last months. I change em every 6 months, but they usually don't need it. Batteries I take out of my bass used I put in my tuner pedal. And it works for about another month or two. Way back, when active electronics we're first conceived and constructed, battery drain was a huge consideration. Today, with better, smaller parts, battery consumption has lessened. The voltage needed to power the preamp has reduced. And most preamps offer a ton of hours plugged in. I still unplug my basses when I'm not home, overnight while sleeping, etc. But generally, my basses are plugged in for hours a day. And I get months out of them. I would suspect a wiring issue if a battery died in a month. That could be the issue here.
 
#15
If you people are getting that much battery life then I look at those cables and think maybe not such a bad idea. I'm currently picking around with building a jFet pre-amp with enhanced tube-like response.
 
#16
Bubble said:
So I need to use it in active mode only. Better buy top quality alkaline batteries. I have had to put new battery holders in things I use cheap leaky batteries. I have had good luck with Panasonic.
Click to expand...
For my active basses I use Duracell "Copper Top" batteries. I have none that have an "off switch" other than the unplugging of the instrument cable from the output jack on the bass. Also - I check my batteries before I install. If you get a good fresh battery it should read something above 9v. I see 9.6v. on the one I have in my hand right now.
Typically I go around 6 mos without needing to look at changing batteries. I always unplug when i'm done practicing at home, unless I (rarely) don't because I forgot or something. If that happens, I typically catch it the very next day, and not much harm done. If it happens more than once on a given battery it may need checking/changing before 6 mos.
If I check a battery and see anything less than 8v. the battery gets chunked and changed.

The Wife got me one of these as a stocking stuffer a few years ago.
Keith McMillen Batt-O-Meter Musician's Battery Tester - Best Bass Gear
Super handy. If you are lucky, I twill work by just plugging it in. I have heard tell, and also had myself, a bass that didn't work on. Just meant I needed to pull the battery to check it. Only a slightly bigger PITA, and definitely easier than getting out my electrical meter and connecting up the leads, etc...

Hope this helps!!
 
#17
Bubble said:
Ok now that makes sense, no switch to bump if you get spastic.
I strongly like the Talman style.
Sort of like a T-Bird, I like that but hear the T-Bird tricky to balance on the strap.

View attachment 2833670
Click to expand...
I plays more like a Fender. You can get a P bass sound, J bass bridge, and that nice blended PJ tone that is similar to a Jazz bass with more treble on the high strings. It's an awesome bass, probably the best bang for buck out there right now.
 
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#19
I had the TMB 105. I liked the bass, but never was able to get a real "p" sound out of that pickup when solo'ed. the bass always sounded better when the balance between pickups was even. it didn't have an overly "active" sound. to me, it just sounded like a P/J bass on steroids. was able to get a very low action. just never bonded with the depth of the neck. so I sold it.
 
#20
I tried to find a five string Jaguar Squire first, none to be found. I noticed Squire pickups are about $15 a station, = $30 for two. Original Fenders are about $40 to $50 and up. Must be some difference. There is just that time in life that extra cost is justified. Else I'd just play nylon strings and a piezo mic. :smug:
 
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