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stout71
Advanced Member
Username: stout71

Post Number: 202
Registered: 7-2011
Posted on Friday, April 04, 2014 - 7:56 am:   Edit Post

Does anyone out there own a Series II that's located anywhere near Atlanta? I'd like to get my hands on one and do an A/B against my MK5 with Anniversary electronics. I will bring beer.
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 11313
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Friday, April 04, 2014 - 4:56 pm:   Edit Post

Why Series II instead of Series I? I would think that comparing Anniversary to Series I would give you a good indication of the difference that Series electronics make. Unless of course you're looking specifically to purchase a Series II and wanted to also get a feel for the difference between CVQ controls and Q switches.
stout71
Advanced Member
Username: stout71

Post Number: 204
Registered: 7-2011
Posted on Friday, April 04, 2014 - 6:04 pm:   Edit Post

Series I would give me an idea for sure, but I'm considering a Series II purchase and I'd like to get the feel of the variable-Q. Otherwise it doesn't make much of a difference. I will still bring beer even if it's a Series I!
edwin
Senior Member
Username: edwin

Post Number: 1730
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Monday, April 07, 2014 - 8:55 pm:   Edit Post

Well, it's not quite the same and it's not close but if you make it to Colorado, you can play my Series II equipped Starfire! And you don't have to bring beer.
musashi
Advanced Member
Username: musashi

Post Number: 213
Registered: 5-2004
Posted on Monday, April 07, 2014 - 9:30 pm:   Edit Post

"Rockin' good news", Edwin. True brotherhood of the Bass.
stout71
Advanced Member
Username: stout71

Post Number: 205
Registered: 7-2011
Posted on Wednesday, April 09, 2014 - 7:06 am:   Edit Post

Oddly enough, I will be in Denver on April 20th for a few days. It's a business trip though, so I won't have much free time. :-(
germansal
Junior
Username: germansal

Post Number: 41
Registered: 8-2004
Posted on Thursday, April 10, 2014 - 1:18 pm:   Edit Post

HELLO IM VERY VERY VERY FAR AWAY FROM YOU,TALKING ABOUT SPAIN ,BUT I WOULD LIKE TO READ OPINIONS OF THE CVQ EXPERIENCE,PLEASE¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡BECAUSE I VE OWNED A SERIES 1 SINCE 1993¡¡¡¡AND I VE NEVER EVER PLAYED A SERIES 2
edwin
Senior Member
Username: edwin

Post Number: 1731
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Thursday, April 10, 2014 - 7:01 pm:   Edit Post

Jerry, if it does seem like you have a minute, let me know. I'm playing in Denver on the night of the 20th.

Hi German! No need to yell, despite your distance, we can hear you quite well. :-)

The opinions about the CVQ are pretty varied. Some people think that they provide too much control, making it difficult to get repeatable tones, while others enjoy the additional control they provide. My personal feeling is that it depends on the kind of music you are playing, the type of strings you are using, and playing technique. If I am playing flat wounds with a pick, I love having the CVQ, but if I'm playing finger style with round wounds, then the switches are fine, since I can cover a lot of the tonal variation that the CVQ provides with how my finger hits the strings (including slapping). It is one of those things that you need to experience yourself to understand, but it's probably not as big a difference as you might think.

I'm sure others have a different opinion, but that's where I'm at!
jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 3944
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Friday, April 11, 2014 - 12:36 am:   Edit Post

I have both Series I and II basses and whilst I'm at home practicing or at rehearsals, using the series II, I can fine tune the sound with the CVQ very precisely and clearly hear the changes I'm making from those pots.
However my experience live is different since most gigs the on-stage sound either through back line and/or monitors is not clear enough or is too dense to hear the subtleties available from the bass. So in those instances, I have worked out 2 positions between off and full on that I can move either CVQ knob to and hear some change as there is not enough time mid song to make accurate subtle movements and hear what the effect is without affecting the music or concentration. Another technique I use is to open the Q to full so you can hear the effect of the filter while you make adjustments then pull back the Q to where you need it...... if there is time.

With the series I adding the Q is much simple process. What I tend to do live is move the Q to position 2, adjust the filter then move it to position 1 if I don't need full Q. It might take a few notes to get where I need to be but its a method.

I think the crucial thing for using either electronics package is you have to learn to know what sound you are looking for and where to move the controls to get that sound instinctively, without auditioning the sound. If like me you are used to a signature bass with a pan pot, the series can seem backwards at first.

My series basses sound different so my choice of which to play at a gig tends to be based on which one has the sound I want for that gig or even just because I want to play that bass. For live work the master volume is your friend because with a series I to turn up louder, unless you accurately move the volumes up precisely to maintain the same relationship between pickup output, you will change your tone. With the master volume you don't lose that tone you have worked so hard to get.
+2 pence. :-)
Jazzyvee
byoung
Senior Member
Username: byoung

Post Number: 1454
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Wednesday, April 23, 2014 - 11:43 am:   Edit Post

Jerry,

I'm moving to Atlanta. You're welcome to try mine. Not sure on move date, depends on how quickly we can get house sold & new house purchased.

Bradley
stout71
Advanced Member
Username: stout71

Post Number: 207
Registered: 7-2011
Posted on Wednesday, April 23, 2014 - 11:48 am:   Edit Post

I will be patiently awaiting your arrival!
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 11316
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Sunday, April 27, 2014 - 6:20 pm:   Edit Post

Bradley; that's a pretty significant change of address.
byoung
Senior Member
Username: byoung

Post Number: 1455
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Tuesday, April 29, 2014 - 12:00 pm:   Edit Post

Dave,

Significant literally, figuratively, emotionally, and spiritually. The "net" is positive, which is not to say that there aren't some rather negative aspects.

Bradley
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 11318
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Tuesday, April 29, 2014 - 4:43 pm:   Edit Post

:-)

I hope all goes well with the move.
byoung
Senior Member
Username: byoung

Post Number: 1456
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Wednesday, April 30, 2014 - 12:01 pm:   Edit Post

Thanks, Dave. I'm moving for work; no hardship.
byoung
Senior Member
Username: byoung

Post Number: 1470
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Thursday, August 14, 2014 - 9:12 am:   Edit Post

Jerry,

I'm here. Let me know. I'm in Buckhead, fairly close to everywhere. Prefer to meet you, because we aren't moved out of boxes yet. :-)

Bradley

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