CVQ retro fitted to signature electro... Log Out | Topics | Search
Moderators | Register | Edit Profile

Alembic Club » Alembic Basses & Guitars » Archive through March 16, 2012 » CVQ retro fitted to signature electronics « Previous Next »

Author Message
terryc
Senior Member
Username: terryc

Post Number: 1763
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Monday, January 30, 2012 - 3:01 am:   Edit Post

Could the above be doable??
Out of curiosity I looked at the innards of my MK and observed that the Q switch is connected to the amp module with what looks like a resistor(but no colour code) SO I assume it must be a capacitor.
So I ask;-
Could a CVQ be retro fitted?
Could I do it myself?
Or is it a whole new electronics package to which I will leave well alone!
hydrargyrum
Senior Member
Username: hydrargyrum

Post Number: 1112
Registered: 3-2004
Posted on Monday, January 30, 2012 - 7:14 pm:   Edit Post

I'm a bit curious about this from a purely technical view point. If the CVQ knob is a potentiometer, you should be able to measure the change in resistance with an ohm meter throughout the sweep of the knob. If so, you could find several settings that you found to be pleasing, and measure the associated resistance at that position. You could then substitute a multi-position switch with resistors equivalent to the values you liked on each of the positions. If I am correct in my assumptions, it would be a relatively straight forward substitution. Of course, I'm sure that the folks at Alembic have already done the associated math, and would be able to offer an excellent array of voicings.
adriaan
Moderator
Username: adriaan

Post Number: 2894
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Tuesday, January 31, 2012 - 12:01 am:   Edit Post

As I remember, they will only do CVQ with Series electronics. I don't think it is quite as simple as replacing a couple of resistors with a potentiometer. Kevin's suggestion of a multi-position selector is one I discussed when I had my Spoiler electronics worked on a couple of years ago, and it was deemed possible - a rotary switch with 1 dB increments - but it would have to wait for benchtime with Ron, and since I didn't have the patience I asked for a 3 position switch. Mine has 0,3,6 dB options which are distinct, but with subtlety (which is good since I really did not like the original 0/8 dB options).
terryc
Senior Member
Username: terryc

Post Number: 1765
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Tuesday, January 31, 2012 - 12:45 am:   Edit Post

hydragyrum..yep that was my assumption with my basic electronics knowledge. I am assuming that when the switch is activated, the component attached gives the 6dB boost, adding a pot would give an incremental increase but I await Mica to cut in with the correct answer(which I am sure she will)
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 7609
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Tuesday, January 31, 2012 - 2:16 pm:   Edit Post

We've done it on a Spoiler one time. It's the only thing my father has specifically requested that I never sell again.
pace
Senior Member
Username: pace

Post Number: 822
Registered: 4-2004
Posted on Wednesday, February 01, 2012 - 4:31 am:   Edit Post

Mica, There were some pictures on a Japanese site from a recent visit to Santa Rosa where a balK had a custom electronics package in the works. One thing I noticed in the pic was a control for filter gain.... I couldn't make sense of some of the other controls.... Was this another 'half a super filter' instrument??????
byoung
Senior Member
Username: byoung

Post Number: 1333
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Wednesday, February 01, 2012 - 11:41 am:   Edit Post

Wait, Mica, I thought that double-stack knobs was also a no-no?

:-)

Bradley
terryc
Senior Member
Username: terryc

Post Number: 1766
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Wednesday, February 01, 2012 - 12:00 pm:   Edit Post

Well I didn't get the answer I was hoping for
jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 2735
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Wednesday, February 01, 2012 - 2:21 pm:   Edit Post

Just because Alembic won't do it for you doesn't mean it can' be done but would you want to take it elsewhere and take the risk? I did...... I felt that the Europa was screaming out for a signature electronics at least and also I wanted to get a feel for how a series bass might sound without splashing out a fortune on a new one.

So........ In my Bocate Europa I have replaced the standard Alembic guts and it now has a LP filter with CVQ ( 80hz to around 6k) and a high pass filter with gain for each pickup then a master volume and pan pot. It sounds great. Each filter comes as a stacked knob as does the volume and pan. It is still very "Alembic like" in tone though It doesn't sound like it did before the change. That's not a criticism either way.

The High pass filters are hardly ever used to be honest unless I have a heavy bass tone and want to add some attack to the notes, but any more than a bit of gain on the high pass is too much and finger noise becomes much more of an issue. But I guess it's just another different sounding bass I have now. Thankfully I didn't have to drill any holes in my Europa just opened the holes that had the switches in a bit and all was well. I've also kept the Europa electronics in case I decide to go back to standard.


The reality was is that it didn't quash my desire for a series II, and I will at least have a chance to try them out side by side....... soon.


Jazzyvee

(Message edited by jazzyvee on February 01, 2012)
terryc
Senior Member
Username: terryc

Post Number: 1767
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Thursday, February 02, 2012 - 5:42 am:   Edit Post

It was just a query really, I assumed it could be an easy mod, I really don't want to drill more holes in my bass(extra one already there for SIMS LED's)
Cheers jazzyvee
pace
Senior Member
Username: pace

Post Number: 832
Registered: 4-2004
Posted on Friday, March 02, 2012 - 12:30 pm:   Edit Post

http://www.ikebe-gakki.com/web-ikebe/bc_ALEMBIC-FT2010/7.html

The pic above pierre's bass is the one I was thinking of...
fc_spoiler
Senior Member
Username: fc_spoiler

Post Number: 1335
Registered: 5-2006
Posted on Friday, March 02, 2012 - 6:43 pm:   Edit Post

I think that's a mock up for Bob's custom Rogue? (with a half superfilter in it, see the Rogue showcase section)

Edit: http://alembic.com/club/messages/411/16123.html
terryc
Senior Member
Username: terryc

Post Number: 1788
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Monday, March 05, 2012 - 1:37 am:   Edit Post

Thanks for all the comments & suggestions but as said before it was a query,in reality I don't need anything as elaborate as Bob's custom Rogue and I do get some nice tones from the Signature electronics, if you want to listen to it then go to either my Soundcloud clip in the Misc section(Funk Influences) or to the SoundCloud Alembic contributers site.

Topics | Last Day | Last Week | Tree View | Search | Help/Instructions | Program Credits Administration