| Author | Message | ||
| edmouk
Junior Username: edmouk Post Number: 23 Registered: 7-2007 |
Hi there I'm about to purchase an activator kit for my Warmoth Jazzbass but I don't know yet what option to chose : Alembic JB pickups + filter or Alembic JB pickups + treble & bass controls ? What give the best results ? Thanks for your help ! | ||
| 811952
Senior Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 1147 Registered: 10-2003 |
My inclination would be to go with the filter and Q-switch. It's a very flexible setup. John | ||
| willgunn
Junior Username: willgunn Post Number: 14 Registered: 2-2007 |
To compare the results of the two systems on the basis of which is "best" is not really possible - each is simply "different" compared to the other, both in operation as well as net results. Functionally, the "bass/treble" control setup (as typically found on the Epic and Orion, for example) operates in much the same way as the similarly named controls found on Bass amps with "active" tone controls. In the Activator's case, the "Bass" control offers +6db/-15db @100hz, and the "Treble" control offers +6db/-15db @5Khz. In contrast, the "Filter" setup (particularly in combination with a "Q-switch") was originally conceived as a simple but very effective way to emulate the "signature" tonalities associated with most "Classic" pickup designs - such as a "P-Bass", "J-Bass", "Rick-Bass", various Gibson Basses, etc. - or to simply let the FULL frequency response of the string's vibration come through without any coloration at all...a trait virtually unique to Alembic pickups. Functionally, the "Filter" control is a variable low-pass device, introducing a 12db/octave roll-off at a point beginning anywhere from 350hz to 6Kz, depending on the setting position. Additionally, an 8db BOOST (a "resonant peak") is introduced at the frequency just before the point of roll-off, and "moves along" with the roll-off point as the filter setting is changed. Adding a "Q-Switch" to the control setup (a $50 option) allows the 8db boost function to be shut OFF...otherwise, it's always "on". In actual use, the "Filter" setup really CAN emulate the sound of the instruments mentioned above, if that's a feature that would be considered useful. But to say that one set-up is "better" than the other is simply not possible - it's just too subjective. For that matter, a number of Custom-ordered Alembic instruments feature BOTH systems...known these days as the "East Meets West" set-up! | ||
| hieronymous
Intermediate Member Username: hieronymous Post Number: 199 Registered: 1-2005 |
I find the Alembic filters to offer a very unique sound, or perhaps "sounds" is more accurate. Personally, I don't like having a regular onboard preamp - I would much rather use an outboard preamp at the end of my signal chain, so my vote would be for the filter setup. | ||
| tbrannon
Senior Member Username: tbrannon Post Number: 545 Registered: 11-2004 |
My vote would be for the filters + Q. The treble bass settings can be tweaked on an amp or preamp, but the filter and Q is unique. If you've got the cash to get both, get both, but if I were choosing just one it would be filter + Q. | ||
| edmouk
Junior Username: edmouk Post Number: 24 Registered: 7-2007 |
So if I should chose the filter + Q switch option, I might get closer to the kind of sound I get with my Series I (even though I know it can't be exactly the same tones!) than with the treble/bass preamp. But would it provide a good balance between bass and treble ? Thank you very much everyone. (here's a pix of my Warmoth Id'wish to upgrade) :  | ||
| keith_h
Senior Member Username: keith_h Post Number: 855 Registered: 2-2005 |
Do you have room in the cavity to drill another hole and add another control? I'd vote for EMW which gives you the best of both worlds. I have it on my fretless Orion and like it a lot. Keith | ||
| the_8_string_king
Senior Member Username: the_8_string_king Post Number: 835 Registered: 9-2005 |
As Toby and Keith said, if at all possible, it's best to get both, and have the best of both worlds. My two custom Alembics both have both bass & treble controls AND filters with variable Qs... and the flexibility from having both (kinds/sets of) controls is more than the sum of its parts, far more flexible than either system alone. That said, I'd lean towards the filter & Q setup over the bass & treble controls -if it were an either/or proposition. That would also certainly be closer to the sound of a Series (with similar -but superior controls). Good luck with it. Pretty bass, by the way. | ||
| edmouk
Junior Username: edmouk Post Number: 25 Registered: 7-2007 |
I'm afraid there's no room enough in the cavity for another hole for another control. So I guess I'll go for the filter but without the Q switch as I always leave it "on" on my Series I (I like bright sound on a bass). Unless I can install one dual bass/treble pot, but I don't think they produce that kind of item at Alembic's. Thanks | ||
| 811952
Senior Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 1149 Registered: 10-2003 |
That's a lovely bass, by the way... John | ||
| terryc
Advanced Member Username: terryc Post Number: 279 Registered: 11-2004 |
I put P/J + bass/treble controls in my old 83 Squier over ten years ago and compared to my MK the tones between the two electronic packages are worlds apart but they are a 1000% better than any passive system without a doubt. My son now has 'inherited' by Squier and the style of music he plays(Funeral for a Friend, Battles et al) suits that control configuration. The filter/Q's are indeed so versatile that it is difficult to describe by words and really has to be heard. Hard choice but everyone is saying go for the filter & Q. | ||
| bkbass
Intermediate Member Username: bkbass Post Number: 154 Registered: 11-2003 |
Filter and 3-way Q switch. | ||
| deano
Junior Username: deano Post Number: 17 Registered: 7-2007 |
I'm confused. But again that's fairly easy to do at my age. Why would you need another hole for a Q-Switch? You have 4 holes now. One could be used for each: Volume, Pickup Pan, Filter, Q-Switch. Dean | ||
| adriaan
Senior Member Username: adriaan Post Number: 1624 Registered: 6-2002 |
Dean, the suggestion was for the "East Meets West" package (see Featured Custom section) with both filter+Q and bass+treble pots, so six holes required. (Message edited by adriaan on October 05, 2007) | ||
| terryc
Advanced Member Username: terryc Post Number: 284 Registered: 11-2004 |
Lot of tone variation with EMW, is there a thread on how this works are they independent circuits which are switchable or combined and if combined how does the the brillant low pass filter and Q switches work with the bass & treble controls?? Would really like to know | ||
| deano
Junior Username: deano Post Number: 18 Registered: 7-2007 |
Thanks, Adriaan. I knew I was missing something. Anyway, my vote (assuming he doesn't have room for the East Meets West) would be a filter and Q ipo bass and treble mostly because the overll bass & treble can be handled sufficiently with his amp rig after exiting the Alembic pre-amp. The effect of the filter and Q is a little harder to come by unless he's running an SF-2 or something. Just my $.02 worth  Dean | ||
| edmouk
Junior Username: edmouk Post Number: 31 Registered: 7-2007 |
Well thanks very much again. I guess the choice is clearly oriented towards filter & Q. I'll probably order them in the months to come as I recently purchased a second Series I... Should arrive next week. Thanks for helping me making my choice. Cheers. |
