Q-switch Log Out | Topics | Search
Moderators | Register | Edit Profile

Alembic Club » Alembic Basses & Guitars » Archive: 2008 » Archive through November 01, 2008 » Q-switch « Previous Next »

Author Message
jschom
New
Username: jschom

Post Number: 6
Registered: 1-2008
Posted on Friday, October 03, 2008 - 7:46 pm:   Edit Post

I'm looking at buying an Orion with what appears to be Essence electronics. I have an Epic with filter and Q-switch and love the tone I get with that combination. Does anyone know how difficult or costly it would be to add a Q-switch to the volume, pan, filter combination that is on the Orion I am considering to purchase? Thanks!...Joel
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 7116
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Friday, October 03, 2008 - 8:52 pm:   Edit Post

It is a relatively easy, and relatively inexpensive, upgrade. Alembic has a kit that you can order, and it comes with instructions.
keith_h
Senior Member
Username: keith_h

Post Number: 1133
Registered: 2-2005
Posted on Saturday, October 04, 2008 - 4:50 am:   Edit Post

I added the Q-switch to my Essence equipped Orion after I bought it. There is not much to doing it. You do have to drill a hole for the switch. I also had to remove some additional wood from the back side so the switch mounting threads would come out the front. If you do not feel comfortable doing this it is something any competent luthier can handle.

Keith
jschom
New
Username: jschom

Post Number: 7
Registered: 1-2008
Posted on Saturday, October 04, 2008 - 6:41 am:   Edit Post

Thanks for the info guys. Dave, do you have a link for the upgrade?
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 7117
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Saturday, October 04, 2008 - 6:25 pm:   Edit Post

Joel; it's not shown in the online store. You should call the shop to order the upgrade.
jschom
New
Username: jschom

Post Number: 8
Registered: 1-2008
Posted on Sunday, October 05, 2008 - 1:53 pm:   Edit Post

Thanks Dave!
texangerbil
Junior
Username: texangerbil

Post Number: 42
Registered: 11-2007
Posted on Tuesday, October 07, 2008 - 3:51 am:   Edit Post

How much is "inexpensive?", just out of interest, as I may be considering a similar upgrade.
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 7124
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Tuesday, October 07, 2008 - 5:25 pm:   Edit Post

Nigel; I don't know what the current price is for the upgrade kit. You can get a very very rough idea by looking at the increase in price for the AE-2 electronics over the AE-1 on the price list page. But don't assume that the difference is close to the actual cost; I'm just guessing.
jschom
New
Username: jschom

Post Number: 9
Registered: 1-2008
Posted on Thursday, October 09, 2008 - 3:25 pm:   Edit Post

Nigel, I just got an email from Alembic stating the following: The kit is $65. It's a switch that's prewired with a radial capacitor
(nicely skrink tubed, of course) and some copper shielding tape. Instructions are included for you to remove a box cap from the filter board, and for drilling/shielding the hole to mount the switch.

Sounds like a good deal to me!

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