Upgrading 2-way Q-switch to 3-way Log Out | Topics | Search
Moderators | Register | Edit Profile

Alembic Club » Alembic Basses & Guitars » Archive through September 10, 2014 » Upgrading 2-way Q-switch to 3-way « Previous Next »

Author Message
rapsak_v
Junior
Username: rapsak_v

Post Number: 17
Registered: 8-2013
Posted on Saturday, April 12, 2014 - 6:20 am:   Edit Post

Hi.
I'm enjoying my newly acquired custom Essence with Europa electronics, but find the 8 db q-switch a bit too much of a good thing.
So I found an original 3-way switch on eBay.
Is it hard to swap out? Can I easily do it myself?

Thanks
jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 3949
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Saturday, April 12, 2014 - 6:41 am:   Edit Post

I have converted my signature bass from 2 to 3 position Q switches and it's a great mod to do. I will see if I can find the information about how to fit the switch. FYI I did find that the off position was brighter than it was previously but I actually like the change. I've got some more in the post from mica so I should have some instructions that I can pass to you if no one else advises you before.
Jazzyvee
hieronymous
Senior Member
Username: hieronymous

Post Number: 1356
Registered: 1-2005
Posted on Saturday, April 12, 2014 - 8:29 am:   Edit Post

I can't help with the fixing part, but I agree with Jazzyvee - it's definitely the way to go!
flpete1uw
Advanced Member
Username: flpete1uw

Post Number: 289
Registered: 11-2011
Posted on Saturday, April 12, 2014 - 1:08 pm:   Edit Post

That's a good question. I feel the same way about the 2 way switch on my Distillate, a softer Q would be more useful.
So if you have a 2 way already installed would a 3 way just be wire for wire?
Pete
adriaan
Moderator
Username: adriaan

Post Number: 3104
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Saturday, April 12, 2014 - 1:39 pm:   Edit Post

Kaspar, my thoughts exactly when I first got my Spoiler. It now has a 0/3/6 dB 3-way - 3 dB is a nice bit of that good thing, 6 dB is an extra shot of the same good thing - and definitely short of the harshness of 8 dB.

Sorry I can't help you with specifics about the change in the electronics, since I sent the parts to the Mothership to be worked over (they changed the pickup switch to a pan pot too).

(Message edited by adriaan on April 12, 2014)
rapsak_v
Junior
Username: rapsak_v

Post Number: 18
Registered: 8-2013
Posted on Tuesday, April 15, 2014 - 8:17 am:   Edit Post

So, I just received the three-way q-switch in the mail.
I don't dare to try changing it out without a little guidance.
Mica? Help!

Thanks
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 8164
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Tuesday, April 15, 2014 - 4:17 pm:   Edit Post

What switch do you have? I need the number on the side starting with a 7.
rapsak_v
Junior
Username: rapsak_v

Post Number: 19
Registered: 8-2013
Posted on Sunday, April 20, 2014 - 7:01 am:   Edit Post

Hi Mica
Thanks for looking in on it. The number is 7211

Cheers

Kaspar
flpete1uw
Advanced Member
Username: flpete1uw

Post Number: 295
Registered: 11-2011
Posted on Sunday, April 20, 2014 - 8:28 am:   Edit Post

Hi Mica,
I have a Q switch with the same part # 7211 that if possible would love to install to my 85 Distillate. As of right now I never use the Q for what I do, but with a 3 way I can see incorporating it!
Thank you so much for making time for all of us in making this feel like a Home for our Musical Journeys.
Peace,
Pete
rapsak_v
Junior
Username: rapsak_v

Post Number: 20
Registered: 8-2013
Posted on Monday, April 28, 2014 - 4:45 am:   Edit Post

Hi Mica,

Did you see my last post?
Do you have any news?

Thank you.

Kaspar
jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 3984
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Monday, April 28, 2014 - 8:50 am:   Edit Post

If I want a quick response from Alembic about anything to do with their stuff I always phone. Someone will always pick up the phone.

Jazzyvee
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 8167
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Tuesday, April 29, 2014 - 3:30 pm:   Edit Post

I have been mostly out of the office since the 11th. I should be in the office regularly now.

Here's what you need to hook up:

Activator Q switch 3-position

You should be able to tell where you have to remove a yellow box capacitor from the filter board to attach the switch assembly.
flpete1uw
Advanced Member
Username: flpete1uw

Post Number: 297
Registered: 11-2011
Posted on Tuesday, April 29, 2014 - 4:44 pm:   Edit Post

Mica,
Would this same 3way switch replace a original 2way on a 85 Distillate?
~Pete
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 8168
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Tuesday, April 29, 2014 - 7:38 pm:   Edit Post

No, this is only for Activator based electronics (Essence, Signature, anything with the AE-1 filter board). I'm not sure I have a handy mod for that application.
rapsak_v
Junior
Username: rapsak_v

Post Number: 21
Registered: 8-2013
Posted on Wednesday, April 30, 2014 - 1:31 am:   Edit Post

Thank you so much!
rapsak_v
Junior
Username: rapsak_v

Post Number: 22
Registered: 8-2013
Posted on Wednesday, April 30, 2014 - 2:13 am:   Edit Post

Oh wait, it doesn't look like that! I have the Europa electronics (AE-2?). Is it simply a matter of switching the wires out from the old q-switch in the brown box labeled 3023?
image/jp2Essence cavity
Essence cavity kopi.jp2 (130.3 k)
rapsak_v
Junior
Username: rapsak_v

Post Number: 23
Registered: 8-2013
Posted on Wednesday, April 30, 2014 - 3:08 am:   Edit Post

Ok, seems like it was a useless file, I uploaded i my previous post. Hope this is betterEsssence/Europa
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 8170
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Thursday, May 01, 2014 - 6:53 pm:   Edit Post

OK, a 7211 is the correct part number. I've confirmed we've never documented a 3-position Q switch on a Distillate or Europa, but after talking to dad he said he's happy to do it. Will not be able to book time for it for 3-4 weeks though - his plate is pretty full and even nudging in something small wouldn't be fair to those who have been waiting patiently for his current projects.

I will keep you posted and you're welcome to tickle this thread in a month if you haven't heard back from me.
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 8171
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Thursday, May 01, 2014 - 7:03 pm:   Edit Post

BTW, that is a super custom Essence with an Ash body. Cool!
terryc
Senior Member
Username: terryc

Post Number: 2197
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Friday, May 02, 2014 - 1:25 am:   Edit Post

So could this be done on my MK Signature bass?? Looking at it I guess it could, I reckon I could source the parts from Maplin in the UK or some other reputable components supplier.
2 capacitors, 2 resistors and a switch.. looks pretty doable.
Is the polarity on the capacitors important(+ at board end, - at switch or vice versa)?
jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 3989
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Friday, May 02, 2014 - 2:40 am:   Edit Post

Terry my advice about upgrading your signature is... go for it. Even with the filter off it seems to have added a little crispness to the sound of the bass without losing he ability to warm up the sound as previously. I have some now for my Black Europa with signature electronics however I think I may initially change the bridge pickup switch as on that bass at the moment I rarely use Q on the neck pickup.
Jazzyvee
terryc
Senior Member
Username: terryc

Post Number: 2201
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Wednesday, May 07, 2014 - 5:06 am:   Edit Post

Mica..which is the spec for the 3 way switch
DPDT On-Off On
OR
DPDT On-On-On

Already have got the caps and resistors.
keith_h
Senior Member
Username: keith_h

Post Number: 1999
Registered: 2-2005
Posted on Wednesday, May 07, 2014 - 6:01 am:   Edit Post

Terry,
According to the C&K spec sheet the 7211 is DP On-On-On.

Keith
jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 4001
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Wednesday, May 07, 2014 - 6:57 am:   Edit Post

Iv'e just changed both my 2 way to 3 way switches. I have two gigs this weekend so a great time to try them out. Probably won't need them during any of the gigs but soundcheck is a good time to have a listen at stage volume.

Jazzyvee
terryc
Senior Member
Username: terryc

Post Number: 2202
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Wednesday, May 07, 2014 - 8:06 am:   Edit Post

Thanks Keith for that
terryc
Senior Member
Username: terryc

Post Number: 2203
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Thursday, May 08, 2014 - 6:33 am:   Edit Post

what type of capacitors are they(polyester, electrolytic, etc) I have some but would like to know the exact spec?
They look like electrolytic
rapsak_v
Junior
Username: rapsak_v

Post Number: 24
Registered: 8-2013
Posted on Thursday, June 12, 2014 - 9:10 am:   Edit Post

Hi Mica

Has your dad had time to look at it?

Thanks

Kaspar
flpete1uw
Advanced Member
Username: flpete1uw

Post Number: 359
Registered: 11-2011
Posted on Tuesday, August 26, 2014 - 11:33 am:   Edit Post

Hi Mica,
I'm giving a bump to this thread its been a while. I still have an interest in perhaps swapping out my 2 way Q to a 3 way Q switch for my 85 Distillate. You indicated that the existing Mod is not available for the Distillate only for Basses with the AE-1 filter board.
Please excuse my lack of understanding but:
1- Is there a Mod that can create a 3 way Q for Distillates?
2- As a curiosity if not what are the differences between the boards? I was under the impression aside from the Series Line the Pre Amp sections of all the Filter based Basses were the same.

Again thank you for your patience with my insatiable curiosity. :-)

Peace,
Pete
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 8249
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Tuesday, August 26, 2014 - 1:14 pm:   Edit Post

There's really three "families" of electronics:

1. Series I/II
2. Distllate (includes Spoiler, Elan, Europa)
3. Activator (includes Signature, Essence)

So there's 3-position for the Series I and the Activator family, but not yet for the Distillate family. I'll have to check with dad to see what his schedule is like.
slawie
Senior Member
Username: slawie

Post Number: 655
Registered: 8-2002
Posted on Wednesday, August 27, 2014 - 11:44 pm:   Edit Post

I would definitely be interested in an upgrade kit for my Essence with Europa electronics.
Slawie

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