| Author | Message | ||
| tmoney61092
Intermediate Member Username: tmoney61092 Post Number: 107 Registered: 9-2008 |
so Bartolini now makes a filter preamp with a q-control called the Bartolini EZQ, has anyone tried this? if so, how does it sound? is it worth it, or would Alembic stuff be better for the money? ~Taylor Watterson (heres a link to the page on bestbassgear.com http://bestbassgear.com/bartolini-ezq.htm ) | ||
| bsee
Senior Member Username: bsee Post Number: 2358 Registered: 3-2004 |
Just some general thoughts, as I have no direct experience with that Bartolini circuit. "Alembic stuff" is almost universally better. The "for the money" part is where things might get a bit hazy, and certainly very subjective. Purpose would have to factor in, where anything can work live, but I want Alembic if I'm going to record. The Bartolini sounds like an attempt to approximate one channel of an SF-2. That's more tonal variety than what you get in a Series II tone circuit. We know the Alembic sounds very pure with tremendous headroom and range. The Bartolini could sound great, I do like their stuff in my non-Alembic basses, but you'll have to hear it yourself to decide which is better for the money. Another question is if you really want that much versatility on your bass. An SF-2 in the rack is super powerful, has two channels, can be had for about $500 on the used market, and can be used with multiple instruments. I'd also be concerned about repeatability with that much control in the instrument. Good luck, and I hope you hear from someone with direct experience. I'm heading out for a bit, but might look into this circuit a little later. -bob | ||
| blackelan
Intermediate Member Username: blackelan Post Number: 104 Registered: 7-2007 |
IMO Bartolini pickups and electroincs seam to be the type of stuff bass players buy since they could not find the original OEM stuff they need on the market and they have to "settle" for Bartolini. They dont sound great but they are not bad either. (Message edited by BlackElan on May 30, 2009) | ||
| crgaston
Senior Member Username: crgaston Post Number: 552 Registered: 11-2005 |
Ahem... well, the Barts in my Modulus sound superb, and they're OEM. I don't know nuthin' 'bout their EZQ, but I have to second Bob's remarks about the SF-2. Of course, there are valid reasons why one would want to have that sort of control on the instrument rather than in a rack, so getting opinions from folks who actually have the circuit would seem advisable, unless you want to be a "beta tester" and fill us all in. I seriously doubt it'll suck, at least.  | ||
| heike
New Username: heike Post Number: 3 Registered: 5-2009 |
The EZQ had been on the market already long before, but, alas, by the time I only realized it might be something of interest, I was told it had been discontinued. I really wouldn't say that Bartolini stuff wasn't well built, but sound is a matter of taste (and budget a matter of one's credit card). Relatively new still, and also a filter-based design, is the ACG EQ-02, which you also can get from Beastbassgear. From the sound samples I've heard so far and from what I've read about it, it seems to be a decent piece of equipment. Of course, again this is a different kind of sound. Alas, I for one don't have a bass right now with which I'm really wanting to swap the circuitry. Both, btw, have been mentioned before in this Club, so maybe you might venture a search. Comes the question to Alembic Activators. Guess no one expects me to not recommend them anyway :D It also somehow is clear, that even an Alembic w/ a 2-band EQ sounds like one, while e.g. a Wal "despite" its filter-based circuitry sounds like a Wal. Actually, someone at Wal quite some time ago already had stated, if there was something like a key ingredient to their signature sound, it actually was their PUs. That gave me to think... As in all, it depends on the sound you want to achieve, and the instrument you want to modify in order to achieve that sound. | ||
| ajdover
Senior Member Username: ajdover Post Number: 717 Registered: 11-2003 |
I have a Bart setup in my Lakland 4-94, and I wouldn't change it for the world. It's freaking awesome tonally. Of course, my bass has a serial number of 245 - I'm guessing it is a mid to late '90s Lakie - so maybe that has something to do with it. That and coil tapping of the bridge pickup. I use that Lakie a bunch - it is in my top five favorite basses in my collection, bar none. That it has Barts says a lot. Alan | ||
| blackelan
Intermediate Member Username: blackelan Post Number: 105 Registered: 7-2007 |
Dont get me wrong I am not saying they are bad pickups in the few instances I knew of people buying them to replace electronics in their Arias or Wals since they could not get the OEM stuff they needed. By no means did they sound bad just different. I think there are more options today then there was about 10 years ago so it seams like the Bartolinis are not as common as they used to be. (Message edited by BlackElan on May 31, 2009) | ||
| georgie_boy
Senior Member Username: georgie_boy Post Number: 779 Registered: 8-2005 |
What's OEM??? | ||
| georgie_boy
Senior Member Username: georgie_boy Post Number: 780 Registered: 8-2005 |
I've got Barts on 2 of my basses, both with Bart active circuitry.....and I think they are superb!! (Message edited by georgie_boy on May 31, 2009) | ||
| white_cloud
Senior Member Username: white_cloud Post Number: 687 Registered: 11-2007 |
I agree George - for me Bartolini is always my number one choice for replacement pickups! They are high quality, great sounding pickups. As for the EZQ I havent tried it at all....try to find feedback elsewhere on the web, Harmony central etc! John. | ||
| crgaston
Senior Member Username: crgaston Post Number: 553 Registered: 11-2005 |
Georgie, it's Original Equipment Manufacturer | ||
| georgie_boy
Senior Member Username: georgie_boy Post Number: 781 Registered: 8-2005 |
Thanks Charles!! I'll get the hang of all that stuff one day. Take care George (Message edited by georgie_boy on May 31, 2009) | ||
| georgie_boy
Senior Member Username: georgie_boy Post Number: 782 Registered: 8-2005 |
Love your bass by the way!! | ||
| tmoney61092
Intermediate Member Username: tmoney61092 Post Number: 108 Registered: 9-2008 |
thanks for all the info guys, i personally have never tried Bartolini stuff, but i'm glad to hear good reviews about their pickups, i will search the web for reviews and hopefully be able to tell everyone what i find ~Taylor Watterson | ||
| musashi
Junior Username: musashi Post Number: 26 Registered: 5-2004 |
The EZQ was the heart of the Pedulla Buzz fretless bass back in the day. It sounded great, providing a cool, punchy slap tone AND a singing, sustaining fretless tone. It had two drawbacks-- it was noisy when switching from a slap tone setting to a fretless "mwah" tone setting; and the output was really low. That being said, it was a helluva tool to have in the toolbox. My understanding, from Mike Pedulla, back in the day, was that at one point they had been experimenting and getting good results by using two EZQ's (one for each pickup). I think, but don't' quote me, that this setup was installed in the bass that Don Henley's road bassist used on the tunes that Pino Palladino had recorded with him. (My understanding is that Pino himself used a Pedulla on the tracks, rather than his Musicman Stingray.) | ||
| tubeperson
Member Username: tubeperson Post Number: 69 Registered: 5-2005 |
I have a Pedulla fretted with the EZQ system and Barts installed as OEM, and it sounds somehwat like the range of tones but not 100% like my Alembics. That being said, when I located two or three NOS ESQ UNITS, I bought them and installed one unit into a Pedulla Buzz that I had refinished and restored by Mike Pedulla himself. He would not install the ESQ, I had to have Rudy's Music in NYC wire up the EZQ. I like the unit and agree that they are noisy, but keep in mind, this unit was designed back in the late 70's /early 80's. When I look for used Pedullas from th Mid 80's I seek the ones with the EZQ already installed. I wish Bill Bartolini would update the design, then I would install one EZQ system on each pickup of the Fretless Pedulla I refurbished. Finally, I also was under the impression that they were discontinued. I do think EMG makes a somewhat similar unit. | ||
| musashi
Junior Username: musashi Post Number: 27 Registered: 5-2004 |
I would add that while I like(d) the EZQ, I think the system Wal uses(ed) is better. Both are essentially one-knob tone palettes, but the EZQ is noisier and has a bit of friction involved in its movement. The Wal setup is sublime, especially when you add the pull-up knob function that adds edge to whatever sound you have dialed in with the filter(s). (Message edited by musashi on June 01, 2009) | ||
| white_cloud
Senior Member Username: white_cloud Post Number: 689 Registered: 11-2007 |
I am a massive fan of the Wal bass and its electronic system - the best bass I ever owned was a 85 mk 1 custom I bought brand new. I also love the Pedulla buzz basses, they were killer basses for sure! To clarify, Pino did indeed use a Pedulla buzz for a short time but he fell out of love with it quickly when his own particular bass started to develop cracks in the fingerboard finish when he played slap style on it. John. | ||
| sonicus
Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 69 Registered: 5-2009 |
Mark Egan who is a very busy session Bassist plays fretlless Pedulla Bass's on much of his solo work. Those "BUZZ" Bass's have the finger board surface coated with a hard synthetic "epoxy like coating" I took two clinic class's from Mark back in the early 1990's. | ||
| tmoney61092
Intermediate Member Username: tmoney61092 Post Number: 109 Registered: 9-2008 |
Has anyone ever found some Wal electronics for sell? How much do they run for? Taylor Watterson | ||
| white_cloud
Senior Member Username: white_cloud Post Number: 690 Registered: 11-2007 |
Taylor I have never seen the actual Wal electrics for sale as a stand alone item. Its hard enough to find Wal basses nowadays never mind the electrics! In this day and age there must be comparable pre-amps on the market though...anybody? John. | ||
| musashi
Junior Username: musashi Post Number: 28 Registered: 5-2004 |
Other than a short-scale small-bodied Alembic Series II, I do remember a "holy grail" bass showing up on ebay in the last couple of years or so-- it was a Carl Thompson with Wal 'trons............... It went for more than I had to spend at the time. | ||
| white_cloud
Senior Member Username: white_cloud Post Number: 691 Registered: 11-2007 |
Carl Thompsons are like hens teeth - especially with Wal elecs!!!! Carls protege Pete Hilton is currently crafting some outstanding basses though - I havent got hands on yet but they look the absolute dogs pyjamas!! John. | ||
| tmoney61092
Intermediate Member Username: tmoney61092 Post Number: 110 Registered: 9-2008 |
so you think it would be a good idea to buy 2 EZQ's so it would be "like" a series II? Taylor Watterson | ||
| tubeperson
Member Username: tubeperson Post Number: 70 Registered: 5-2005 |
It would be similar, but keep in mind, many other items contribute to the Alembic sound. You could find yourself with a "close but no cigar situation". The only way to know is to try it. As I said before, I can bring out my Pedulla fretted with EZQ, and keep my Series basses for recording or special gigs. Keep in mind the security issues of making sure your equipment is not stolen as well. Alembics would cost much more to replace, and they are unique! The Pedullas are pertty standard except for electronics options. | ||
| heike
New Username: heike Post Number: 4 Registered: 5-2009 |
What is an ESQ? Where can I read more about that? Alas, I've never heard of any low pass filter-based electronics that EMG had offered -? But then, IMSNHO (YMMV) EMGs (the active PUs, not the HZ) provide a very useable slap tone, and they also do so with a passive electronics. The same applies to Lane Poor PUs (a passive design w/ medium output, which I think is an advantage to avoid harsh peaks). Unfortunately they went out of business in 2001, so one had to be exceptionally lucky should one attempt to still find one. (Message edited by heike on June 03, 2009) | ||
| blackelan
Intermediate Member Username: blackelan Post Number: 106 Registered: 7-2007 |
I spoke with Paul Herman on the phone two weeks ago regarding my Wal custom order. A standard Mach II 4 string runs about 3300 pounds sterling or 4995 US dollars. He wont sell the elctronics seperately. There is a company in the UK that makes a similar setup I will see if I can find who they are. FYI here is the debut of the new Wals for 2009. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jF8vT-yOl7c | ||
| blackelan
Intermediate Member Username: blackelan Post Number: 107 Registered: 7-2007 |
Here is the company and they are called: East UK or ACG guitars preamp http://www.bestbassgear.com/acg-eq-02-preamp.htm | ||
| musashi
Junior Username: musashi Post Number: 30 Registered: 5-2004 |
I believe the GB basses have (or used to have) a filter-based pre-amp... I know Laurence Cottle used to play Wal basses, and now he would seem to be playing these. Mark King also had a go with GB stuff awhile back. http://www.gbguitars.co.uk/Webpages/demo.htm | ||
| georgie_boy
Senior Member Username: georgie_boy Post Number: 785 Registered: 8-2005 |
These LEDs are just amazing!! For a real showman...they are a must! | ||
| musashi
Junior Username: musashi Post Number: 31 Registered: 5-2004 |
Blackelan, can you provide contact info for Paul Herman? I bought a Jaydee from him at a NAMM show many years ago. Thanks. | ||
| heike
New Username: heike Post Number: 5 Registered: 5-2009 |
GB uses a 3-band EQ. But then, another EZQ question: to improve output, couldn't it simply be wired to a TC3 Booster Preamp? | ||
| musashi
Junior Username: musashi Post Number: 34 Registered: 5-2004 |
I saw that it was a 3-band on the website, but also read this circuit was the result of experimentation over the years. Back when Mark King was playing GB basses, a gentleman from the UK whose name escapes me at present emailed me to discuss the GB basses and I'm pretty sure he said that at that time there was a parametric circuit of some sort in use... If anyone knows specifically, I'd like to find out for sure (and what it was/is). | ||
| tmoney61092
Intermediate Member Username: tmoney61092 Post Number: 111 Registered: 9-2008 |
If you read the EZQ on bestbassgear.com, they have a diagram of the EZQ connected with a bass boost, I'll pot a link when I get home | ||
| tmoney61092
Intermediate Member Username: tmoney61092 Post Number: 112 Registered: 9-2008 |
ok, here is the link to how to wire the EZQ, you can look at all of it, but as promised, if you go to the last diagram then you will see it wired with a bass boost, does anyone know how much more this would be? would the bass boost or a second EZQ be a better idea? http://bestbassgear.com/wiring-diagrams/ezq.pdf ~Taylor Watterson | ||
| blackelan
Intermediate Member Username: blackelan Post Number: 108 Registered: 7-2007 |
Here is Paul's contact info. I cant give out the phone number he called from since I dont know if it was the "official Wal line" or his home phone. His E-mail is: paul.herman "at" btconnect "dot" com | ||
| edwin
Senior Member Username: edwin Post Number: 437 Registered: 5-2002 |
I have both the EZQ (currently sitting in a box in my basement somewhere) and the ACG pre. I like the ACG a lot better. It's in my Starfire and it's the closest I've heard to the Alembic modified Starfires. My ACG is an early one, so it's got separate filters for each pre. It's dead quiet and very versatile. I like it better in some ways than my Series I electronics because the filters goes all the way down to 70hz, for some very cool deep tones. I wish the filters went higher, though. They only go to 3khz and there's high frequency control to take up the slack, but it doesn't go low enough. It would be perfect if you could overlap the filters and add the straight tone to the filtered tone (sound familiar?). I have a SF2 as well, which gets a lot of use, although since I started playing through a SMS Classic preamp as a front end, I've discovered that onboard tonal changes come through a lot better. The EZQ hasn't been in a bass for a long time. I suppose I should fire it up again and see what I think. The bass boost is a good aspect to it. It's nice to tune in the high or midrange frequency you want and then be able to kick in the low end. I also have an early Rick Turner onboard preamp. It's got some very cool tones. Again, it's sitting in a box somewhere, but I remember it being a fun preamp to use. I guess I should put these guys to use! Edwin | ||
| tmoney61092
Intermediate Member Username: tmoney61092 Post Number: 113 Registered: 9-2008 |
if you are interested in selling the Rick Turner or the Bartolini, just send me an e-mail at tmoney61092@aol.com with your asking price ~Taylor Watterson | ||
| rneub
Junior Username: rneub Post Number: 19 Registered: 6-2007 |
I have a Pedulla fretless from '91 with 'standard electronics'. Is that the EZQ that you (Musashi & Tubeperson) are talking about? If so, I do not recongnize 'noisy'. I just love the Barto setup on my Pedulla. My SC with AXY/Fatboy setup is of another world, I would not like to compare them as they are 2 totally different animals. | ||
| sonicus
Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 87 Registered: 5-2009 |
I agree , I have Bass's with Bartolini's and Bass's with Alembics and as you say they are 2 different critters ! | ||
| musashi
Junior Username: musashi Post Number: 37 Registered: 5-2004 |
Thanks, blackelan, for Paul's email address. rneub, unless your Pedulla has a filter, it would seem that you would not have an EZQ... My Pedulla Buzz with the EZQ was from 1986... | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 919 Registered: 5-2006 |
Sorry to put this here, but it's kinda important ;-) Did you get my messages Jason? I got some Delivery Status Notification (Failures)... Please keep on discussing the barto's and ignore this post for the rest ;-) | ||
| blackelan
Intermediate Member Username: blackelan Post Number: 110 Registered: 7-2007 |
Flip I got it. Also if anyone is intrested the 2009 Wal debuted on a UK TV show. Its a Maple mkII 4 string. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgpZeUbnJus | ||
| battlescars
New Username: battlescars Post Number: 4 Registered: 11-2008 |
Best bass gear ordered 10 EZQ's as a special run. I picked up 2. Don't know how many they have now but I'm guessing they'll order more when they sell out. I wired one in a external box. Gotta say it has a lot of cool tones. I haven't found it to be noisy at all. My original intension was to wire 1 to each pickup on my starfire bass. I kinda like it as is though. I'm gonna keep experimenting with it. Maybe wire the bass in stereo and send each pickup to a separate ezq. Also picked up some Noll mixpots to experiment with blending 2 filters and the unfiltered signal. Overall I like The EZQ. | ||
| tmoney61092
Intermediate Member Username: tmoney61092 Post Number: 132 Registered: 9-2008 |
Thanks for the info, how would you compare it to alembics filters? Taylor Watterson | ||
| battlescars
New Username: battlescars Post Number: 5 Registered: 11-2008 |
There is another thread here that sums it up pretty well. The Bart circuit is cool, but it dosen't quite have the range of the Alembic on board circuit or clearly the SF2. It's similar, but not exact. it also costs alot less. Like I said I like it. I'll probably like it even more when I have one for each pick installed. |
