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doctorj
New
Username: doctorj

Post Number: 1
Registered: 1-2015
Posted on Saturday, January 03, 2015 - 2:01 am:   Edit Post

Just wondering if anyone has upgraded their Orion or Epic from the bass & treble cut/boost to using filters? I'd love to maybe install a filter for each pickup and keep the pickup blend & volume. Is this possible or would Q switches also be needed?
edwardofhuncote
Intermediate Member
Username: edwardofhuncote

Post Number: 154
Registered: 6-2014
Posted on Saturday, January 03, 2015 - 3:38 am:   Edit Post

Sounds like you're talking about upgrading to Signature electronics doctorj, and there may be some space constraints with the size of the control cavity, depending on where the battery compartment is in your bass. The East-Meets-West package may be an alternative for you though, since it adds a filter into the mix for the Orion/Epic type controls.

There's some discussion and a picture on this thread:

http://alembic.com/club/messages/402/197665.html?1415757876

And welcome to the forum. If it has to do with an Alembic, these folks know.
keith_h
Senior Member
Username: keith_h

Post Number: 2130
Registered: 2-2005
Posted on Saturday, January 03, 2015 - 5:56 am:   Edit Post

EMW would require a larger cavity than is standard in the Orion. This is what I have on my fretless Orion.

You can fit Essence electronics with a Q-switch in the cavity but you would have to make some type of plate to utilize/cover the extra hole. This is the electronics package that came on my 5-string Orion. I added the Q-switch after having the bass for a while.

I'm not sure about Signature electronics fitting or not. My Anniversary electronics bass has a larger cavity than the Orion but leaves plenty of open space. If you wanted Q-switches you would have to drill and I would think it would be a very tight fit.

Personally if it were me I would look at Essence electronics with a Q-switch. Having the Q-switch allows to turn off the boost at the current filter frequency setting. It is something I would not go without again. You could also look into a 3 position switch which would give more subtle degrees of boost.
adriaan
Moderator
Username: adriaan

Post Number: 3185
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Saturday, January 03, 2015 - 6:40 am:   Edit Post

fcspoiler changed his fretless from Essence electronics with a Q, to the full Signature package. For pictures of the cavity go down this thread, that should give you some idea.

(Message edited by adriaan on January 03, 2015)
keith_h
Senior Member
Username: keith_h

Post Number: 2131
Registered: 2-2005
Posted on Saturday, January 03, 2015 - 8:01 am:   Edit Post

Flip's is based on a Europa which has a larger cavity with separate battery compartment like I have on my EMW fretless. My fiver has a smaller cavity with battery in same compartment. Pics of my Orions are here. They will give an idea of the different cavity types.

If I get some time and assuming Mica doesn't respond first I will haul out my fiver and Brown Bass to see if the parts would fit. Flip might be able to answer also as I recall he has/had a standard Orion 5 string fretless. After having been through the upgrade on the other bass he should have a good idea of the feasibility of installing Signature electronics.

Keith

Keith
fc_spoiler
Senior Member
Username: fc_spoiler

Post Number: 1609
Registered: 5-2006
Posted on Saturday, January 03, 2015 - 8:18 am:   Edit Post

As you can see on the pics in the above linked topic, there's one filter with a modified output. Wouldn't fit with the standard (upright position) output.

Currently I'm looking for a filter unit and would like to upgrade my 5 string fretless to some kind of Signature EMW setup (double filter and bass/treble controls)
That will also require some excessive routing (+ new backplate) and I might add a separate battery compartment.

Btw: You can have any Filter based circuit without the Q switch, in that setup the "Q" is always on. With the Q switch you can turn the boost off (and have a mid setting with a 3 way switch)

For me the switch is more important on multiple filter setups for extra flexibility, on my single filter basses I always have the Q on.
doctorj
New
Username: doctorj

Post Number: 2
Registered: 1-2015
Posted on Saturday, January 03, 2015 - 8:37 am:   Edit Post

Thanks guys, that's very helpful. I hadn't thought of leaving the bass and treble controls in there like Keith's, more in line like Flips (both absolutely stunning, by the way) and losing the bass and treble but with a filter for each pickup, then running that into the pan and volume.

I hadn't heard of EMW before, I'll do some more trawling and read up.

Thanks again!

Justin
edwardofhuncote
Intermediate Member
Username: edwardofhuncote

Post Number: 155
Registered: 6-2014
Posted on Saturday, January 03, 2015 - 8:54 am:   Edit Post

I'll offer the same sage advice I received here not so long ago... spend some quality time on these pages:

http://alembic.com/club/messages/16271/16280.html?1400810976

Good luck, & enjoy.

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