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Alembic Club » Alembic Basses & Guitars » Archive: 2003 » Archive through April 29, 2003 » Handbook for Series 2 « Previous Next »

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jazzy35
New
Username: jazzy35

Post Number: 2
Registered: 4-2003
Posted on Tuesday, April 22, 2003 - 3:04 pm:   Edit Post

Hello Mica

It's me again...Where can I find or buy the handbook with the settings and proper usage of the series 2 electronics?

Thanks again

Earl Haighton
palembic
Advanced Member
Username: palembic

Post Number: 384
Registered: 9-2002
Posted on Wednesday, April 23, 2003 - 12:01 am:   Edit Post

Hi Earl,

welcome to the club.
I have to dissapoint you but there is no such thing as "handbook" for an SII.
When wailing around this club you will find here and there explanations about the electronics.
I have an SII 5str and most of the time I sat down and gave it a try.
However: some "tips"
1. There are 3 volume knobs, an overall volume + 2 volume knobs one per pickup. Working an SII is starting to see the PU-volumeknobs as part of your "tone-creating-gear". MOst other basses have a pan-knob to "pan" between the output of the PU's, it's an "or - or" situation. WIth the series you "add" the PU to each other. I'ts why the "overall" volume knob comes in handy.
2. Starting to master a Series bass -and any other Alembic and even 2 PU bass- starts by working with 1 PU and figure out the tone controls. So you have a position switch on your bass with "off-bridge PU-both PU-neck PU" positions. Start with the bridge PU. Tutn the Volume knob on full!
3. Each PU has a "tone" filter. Turning it back cut's off the highs above a the point you chose. Turning it full open let pass the complete sound spectrum of the (low-impedance) PU. I'm not good in this material but others will convince you that this is a completely different way of "sound shaping" than in other guitars.
4. The smaller "pointer" knob is a CVQ knob. On other basses this knob is a "Q"-switch. On Series II it's Continously Variable Q. What happens is that -on top of the sound position you choose with the filter- you kind of "add" a boost of highs. With a SII this "adding" goes by turning the knob and goes from +0db to + 15db. Again, this is the basis, I'm not technical at all. Others will come here and give you a more "scientific" explanation.
5. To start the mastering of your bass try to plug into a set-up with a horn or tweeter. The changes you make to the tone -and especially the CVQ- will be much more audible.
6. Don't be afraid to call help from a friend. It's no joke. While you play soem bass-loops you can ask your friend to turn and tweak the knobs. It's the fastest way to learning what happens.
Enjoy.

Paul


PS: It's why I invented the story that we Alembicians are sneaky growing a 3th arm.

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