| Author | Message | ||
| tubeviper
New Username: tubeviper Post Number: 2 Registered: 6-2008 |
I just bought an epic with a switch. The installation looks neat and tidy including the wiring. Could it have been factory? What would the purpose of the switch be? Thanks!  | ||
| jbybj
Intermediate Member Username: jbybj Post Number: 168 Registered: 6-2006 |
Stock Epics come with a Bass and Treble cut/boost, with another pot where the switch is. The switch is most likely a Q switch which accompanies the Low Pass filter electronics that Alembic is famous for. It appears as if your Epic has the filter and Q switch as an option. Someone more familiar will probably post a link to the explanation of how your electronics work, it's somewhere on this forum. Welcome to the club, Have fun. JBY | ||
| keith_h
Senior Member Username: keith_h Post Number: 1033 Registered: 2-2005 |
Looks like you have the Essence electronics with Q-switch. My Orion 5 string was also upgraded to this setup when it was built. Look here for the Essence electronics description. Keith | ||
| keurosix
Advanced Member Username: keurosix Post Number: 320 Registered: 10-2005 |
Hello Dave, Welcome to the club! Your Epic most likely has the Alembic AE-2 electronics upgrade installed. This is an OEM plug-in low-pass filter and Q switch that replaces the basic bass boost & treble boost originally present on the guitar - unless it was originally ordered that way from the begining. In any event, if you can identify the filter knob and sweep it up and down with the Q switch in the boost position, you will get a very noticable wah-wah sound which is also very addicting. By fine tuning the filter position, you can dial in any tone you like and realize the true potential of the Alembic bass. I have provided a link to a post where the AE-2 is discussed in detail: http://alembic.com/club/messages/402/45998.html Good luck, and congrats on your Alembic purchase! However, you cannot get away with a sneaky little picture like that! We want to see the whole thing! Kris | ||
| tubeviper
New Username: tubeviper Post Number: 3 Registered: 6-2008 |
Thanks Keith and Kris! Does the following photo help positively identify things, i.e. Essence electronics? It looks factory to me.. But I have a request into the serial number forum where I have a full photo of the Epic... Dave  | ||
| keurosix
Advanced Member Username: keurosix Post Number: 325 Registered: 10-2005 |
Dave, Rest assured that you have Alembic electronics here. No this is not Essence electronics, because the Essence does not have the Q switch. In fact, what you have is better than the original electronic package in the Essence model. This is a custom circuit (AE-2), and judging by the very neat cable ties it looks factory installed. Wait to see if the factory confirms this with the SN request. Happy playing! Kris | ||
| keith_h
Senior Member Username: keith_h Post Number: 1034 Registered: 2-2005 |
I can't tell from the picture whether this is an original install or after the bass was built. It is a very clean installation. If the Q-switch hole is larger than the shaft this would say to me that the electronics were upgraded after the bass was built. If the shaft is the same size then I would say it was ordered that way. In any event your serial number request should resolve the question. By the way the Q-switch is a feature for the Essence electronics (can order with or without). Without seeing the actual filters I would guess that AE-2 filter and Essence filter are the same. Keith | ||
| tubeviper
New Username: tubeviper Post Number: 4 Registered: 6-2008 |
One more question, what kind of wood is that visible in the top photo? It was advertised as bocate but I think its bubinga, or even walnut... Thanks! | ||
| lembic76450
Intermediate Member Username: lembic76450 Post Number: 132 Registered: 5-2002 |
Dave, Depending on how true the color is in the photo it looks like it could be Walnut. A larger photo would be better. Kenn | ||
| tubeviper
New Username: tubeviper Post Number: 5 Registered: 6-2008 |
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| tbrannon
Senior Member Username: tbrannon Post Number: 771 Registered: 11-2004 |
Sure looks like walnut to me, but I'm proven wrong quite regularly so stay tuned for a few more opinions! =) Toby | ||
| keith_h
Senior Member Username: keith_h Post Number: 1035 Registered: 2-2005 |
Another vote for walnut. Real nice flame pattern. Keith | ||
| dannobasso
Senior Member Username: dannobasso Post Number: 759 Registered: 3-2004 |
I too say walnut. | ||
| ojo
New Username: ojo Post Number: 8 Registered: 3-2008 |
Well, this post is informative on a couple of levels. My epic looks like his, and based on your comments, looks like my top may be walnut. Second, I've been thinking about this mod for my epic, and I've found this discussion interesting. I'd be interested in more opinions/reviews from anyone who has done this mod or has this setup. Thanks, Joe | ||
| keurosix
Advanced Member Username: keurosix Post Number: 327 Registered: 10-2005 |
Another vote for Walnut. I would be surprised if it's something else. Joe, scroll up to my post #320 where I provided a link to a discussion of the AE-2 circuit. This was an easy mod truly "plug-n-play". Alembic supplies the filter wired to the switch, and all the hardware (nuts, washers) needed. A simple instruction sheet and a mild warning that the switch may require a larger washer for the 1/4" pot hole (provided) or a slight thinning of the inside wall below the switch hole (if the switch does not extend out enough for the nut to hold). If you need to do the thinning, a piloted reamer would be the tool of choice and then you would need some conductive paint to replace the removed shield. All this would be done INSIDE the cavity and not affect the finish outside. There is a choice of a 2 position or 3 position switch with this mod, and of course the 3 position switch is definitely worth the extra few dollars! I did this mod to my Epic 5 string fretless without the need to thin the wood below the switch hole. The bass & treble controls come out via plug, and the filter & switch go in, in their place. The sound improvement was stellar, it's an original Alembic circuit, and instantly upgrades your guitar to "Custom" status! No better way to add the classic Alembic low-pass filter sound to your bass. You keep the bass & treble circuit (outside the guitar) for more value, and word has it that there is a "Y" cable connector modification that can add the filter & Q switch to the bass and treble controls for the custom "East-meets West" circuit. Of course this will require 2 new holes drilled through the body, and maybe some more area removed in the control cavity. Another thing to consider for upgrading later? Enjoy Kris | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 6655 Registered: 5-2002 |
Congrats and welcome Dave! Nice top; looks like Walnut to me too. | ||
| adriaan
Senior Member Username: adriaan Post Number: 1899 Registered: 6-2002 |
If you have an early Epic (certainly 93 and 94) chances are the pit holes are 1/8" - they changed to 1/4" later on. This also comes up when you need new collet knobs - you have to get the correct shaft size. |
