| Author | Message | ||
| bass4worship
Junior Username: bass4worship Post Number: 25 Registered: 7-2009 |
Well I had nothing to do the another day so I decided to do some upgrade to my Alembic Excel. I wasn't to happy that my Excel didn't have a passive bypass switch so I went to work on. What I did find out is that the fatboy pickup do work in a passive mode, so I install a switch, volume and tone control so that went I'm not in the active I can still control the V/T. Every thing went good. So now I glad not to have to change a battery in the middle of a gig. | ||
| tmoney61092
Advanced Member Username: tmoney61092 Post Number: 289 Registered: 9-2008 |
when i first bought my Alembic p/j pickups, i connected them with the volumes and tones of one of my other basses to make sure they worked, sounds pretty good to me ~Taylor Watterson | ||
| bass4worship
Junior Username: bass4worship Post Number: 26 Registered: 7-2009 |
The tone is flat but that a good thing cause I can get most of tone i'm looking for from my amp. | ||
| mike1762
Advanced Member Username: mike1762 Post Number: 397 Registered: 1-2008 |
I imagine the output is pretty weak isn't it? | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 1802 Registered: 6-2002 |
Hmm that sounds like an interesting backup idea. I'm curious, does it still have the alembic sound characteristics in passive mode? Jazzyvee | ||
| terryc
Senior Member Username: terryc Post Number: 1136 Registered: 11-2004 |
My understanding that the output is so low that pre amps are needed. I would think that battery life is not an issue as they last so long in non series instruments..nearly a year with Duracel Alkaline. Since my SIMS LEDS retrofit which uses the same battery, the LED's dim on the neck before the pre amp goes to distortion. I have invested in very high quality re chargables(they were £15.00 each) and are rated at 250mAH which is almost up to alkaline standard. The good news is the can be used over a 1000 times and I have four of them, one for the bass, one for my Senheisser radio system and one for my bass driver pedal and one spare. | ||
| tmoney61092
Advanced Member Username: tmoney61092 Post Number: 290 Registered: 9-2008 |
well with my experience, i put the Alembic p mixed with my passive jazz pickup, the Alembic alone had an OK output, but when i turned the volume on the jazz up, it was definitly the dominant of the 2, don't really remember the output with both Alembics though ~Taylor Watterson | ||
| bass4worship
Junior Username: bass4worship Post Number: 28 Registered: 7-2009 |
The output of the fatboy pickup has the same volume in passive as with the bass in active with the volume at 50%. The sound characteristics in passive is about the same as active. Why Alembic choose not to install a A/P switch is something I'll never understand on such a fine bass. I'm going to put together a sound track so you guys can hear what it sound like in passive and active. | ||
| adriaan
Senior Member Username: adriaan Post Number: 2368 Registered: 6-2002 |
IIRC the low-impedance pickups will produce a "truer" signal than high impedance pickups, but you need a pre-amp to have a better match against the impedance of your average cable. An impedance mismatch will result in a less truthful signal at the other end of the cable. The Fatboy IS louder than an AXY/MXY, but also less hi-fi sounding. | ||
| bass4worship
Junior Username: bass4worship Post Number: 29 Registered: 7-2009 |
By the way when I make this track I'll will make it without a amp, plug right into the mixer. | ||
| briant
Advanced Member Username: briant Post Number: 391 Registered: 12-2004 |
Interesting idea but rendered completely unnecessary if you simply change your electronics battery every 6 months or so. If you unplug your bass between practices/gigs there is no reason the electronics battery won’t last 6+ months. Unless of course you’re using a Series bass without the power supply… then good luck to you. | ||
| mario_farufyno
Advanced Member Username: mario_farufyno Post Number: 376 Registered: 9-2008 |
I prefer to carry a spare batterie with me (along with an extra string set and a fuse to the Amp). Active circuits always warns us about a moribund batterie days before it tottaly drains out. I know it is going dead just hearing when the Bass is distorting, lacking headroom and when Tone starts to get funny. It doesn't seems a big idea having to operate with no Eq and several dB lower than when we did in sound check. Remeber that your signal and tone will be away in Passive mode and I can't see how this could be usefull to the Sound Tech during a show... All this just to avoid carring a spare batterie and a tool. How being incapable to change tone and loosing much of my signal level can be interesting in the middle of a Gig? I can only see two reason to not use an Active circuit on a Bass: Not liking the way it sounds or to not want the minus side of having to carrie a new batterie on the Gigbag. Both reasons have the same answer: Use a Passive Bass. I can use one Battery for a whole year in my Rogue, if I would dare to, but I prefer to change it each 6 months. I write the changing date in a brown tape at it, just in case of forgeting to change it in December and July again. Easy and cheap... | ||
| bass4worship
Junior Username: bass4worship Post Number: 30 Registered: 7-2009 |
I just uploaded the video and sound track on You-tube so you can hear for yourself what the active and passive mode sound like. chick or pastes link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4yeXZUU1n0&feature=player_embedded# | ||
| bass4worship
Junior Username: bass4worship Post Number: 31 Registered: 7-2009 |
By mario: I can only see two reason to not use an Active circuit on a Bass: Not liking the way it sounds or to not want the minus side of having to carrie a new batterie on the Gigbag. Both reasons have the same answer: Use a Passive Bass. I guessing you're new to playing bass or just don't know what you're talking about. (Message edited by bass4worship on December 09, 2009) | ||
| bigredbass
Senior Member Username: bigredbass Post Number: 1326 Registered: 9-2002 |
Actually our friend Mario is an accomplished, working professional musician in South America. Not a lot of bedroom players pack spare batteries, strings, and amp fuses. Hey, if you like this mod, great. Most of us with a few miles under our belts gig-wise obviously prefer Alembic's low impedance pickups and have made peace with living with 9 volts or the offboard power supply. Most of us also own passive basses. And most of us have had the occasional power outage on a gig, which is why most of us, like Mario, keep a spare handy. Generally you can hear the tone, headroom, etc., going South before it goes silent, but occasionally not. This is generally a pretty 'flameless' chat room, so I would think about just who you may or may not know when you continue the dialog. I'd imagine over the years, ALEMBIC has done lots of mods not generally kept in their standard features. And Ron's original idea was to lower the number of turns in the coils to better the frequency response of the pickups vs. what was available in the late 60's. The onboard preamp/low impedance pickup concept he refined and incorporated into the axes was the forerunner of EMG, Bartollini, and so on. But there's lots of great passive pickups as well, and if it's handy for you to have the facility to switch back and forth, great. But believe me, a lot of us have been playing a long time . . . and have worked hard to know what we're talking about. | ||
| peoplechipper
Intermediate Member Username: peoplechipper Post Number: 178 Registered: 2-2009 |
I guess the active/passive switch adds another tonal option, and would be good for the rare occasion where a component actually fries, but the vast majority of gig breakdowns are from folks who let jacks and pots get loose, with the accompanying broken wires, which the switch may not save...interesting to hear the difference though...Tony (Message edited by peoplechipper on December 10, 2009) | ||
| serialnumber12
Senior Member Username: serialnumber12 Post Number: 613 Registered: 12-2004 |
why go passive when the electronics are the cream of the crop!  | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 1022 Registered: 5-2006 |
+ 1 Never had any problems in 10 years abusing Alembics (I had my 10th anniversary with Alembic/Mesa this year!) :-) If I get nervous before a gig, I replace the battery and use the old one for other gear. I just love how this keeps my Alembics "extra holeless" :-) | ||
| hydrargyrum
Senior Member Username: hydrargyrum Post Number: 696 Registered: 3-2004 |
I can think of another good reason for this mod, active electronics don't sound good with old school fuzz boxes. | ||
| bass4worship
Junior Username: bass4worship Post Number: 32 Registered: 7-2009 |
I was just trying to show that this bass can be passive too that all. I been playing since 1965 and had my share of basses, Why do some of us get so uptight when someone try said something different, I'm not telling anyone that they have to do it too. Come on guys tell me you never try see if you can do something else to one of your basses. The batterys are not the problem cause I do keep them with me. Well I see were this is going so let end it now. | ||
| mario_farufyno
Advanced Member Username: mario_farufyno Post Number: 377 Registered: 9-2008 |
Ronald I didn't meant to look rude, sorry... After reading your post more carefully I understood better your idea. In fact I've never saw a Active/Passive circuit like you did on your Excel and it seems ingenuous. If I don't like the usual way they are made it is by the lack of Eq and the forementioned Gain loss. Well, hearing your video I've got your point. That way you did it can be really usefull and Kevin made a serious point here. I would love to use a specific Fuzz (Wholly Mammoth), but I can't with my Alembic... | ||
| mario_farufyno
Advanced Member Username: mario_farufyno Post Number: 378 Registered: 9-2008 |
Oh... And thanks for showing me I was wrong and for teaching me a new trick (actually this dog is not that new, but not too old that can't learn with a friend!). Best regards. | ||
| mike1762
Advanced Member Username: mike1762 Post Number: 398 Registered: 1-2008 |
Hmmm, not much difference in tone. An untrained ear (your audience) probably wouldn't notice ANY difference. I'm surprised at the output in passive mode. My Carvin has the same output in passive or active (those are high impedance PUPs), but the tonal difference is dramatic. | ||
| tmoney61092
Advanced Member Username: tmoney61092 Post Number: 291 Registered: 9-2008 |
my Gibson Victory Artist bass has a 3-way active/passive switch and sounds are completely different, pretty sweet because the bass and treble knobs become tone knobs in passive mode, but the volume level drops off a whole lot which is a little bit of a let down :-(, but incredible bass either way :-) ~Taylor | ||
| bass4worship
Junior Username: bass4worship Post Number: 33 Registered: 7-2009 |
Believe me I wouldn't trade my Alembic for any other bass, I try to but couldn't let her go. This is one of the best basses I've owed and that why I left the original EQ alone. I own another passive bass that I use as a backup so now it can stay home. I like to have the different options on my basses just like I have on my amps. It just the way I'm am. I hope no one was offended and love you guys for expressing your opinion. | ||
| pas
Advanced Member Username: pas Post Number: 222 Registered: 3-2003 |
Sounds like heresy to me. | ||
| dannobasso
Senior Member Username: dannobasso Post Number: 1159 Registered: 3-2004 |
I applaud your skill and courage for your mod. Sometimes sharing and asking for an opinion is like walking into a mine field here. They also run from silk to sandpaper to barbed wire. "We don't take kindly to you black bass orderin; folk! Weun wood showin' purests. Not heathen music playin; metal types. Why Clem here got 7 sons all named Jerry, ceptun 2 iz drummers cause thats what Jery would want. His daughterz izun a called Pipen, Bill, Bob and Phish. She wasun a accidental love baby!" Keep playing , glorifying and making a joyful noise unto Him. | ||
| hydrargyrum
Senior Member Username: hydrargyrum Post Number: 698 Registered: 3-2004 |
I didn't realize you metal guys were so touchy. Do you need a hug and a cup of coco?  /no offense intended, hopefully none taken | ||
| toma_hawk01
Senior Member Username: toma_hawk01 Post Number: 444 Registered: 9-2009 |
Danno, I am studying your bass in the FTC. Your bass is extraordinary and I can't wait to see the final product. Your bass is like looking at a beautiful Black "meaty" Corvette, and once those huge black soap bar pickups are locked down and strapped in the pocket, you'll have something really different that's going to make a difference too. That's what building a custom is all about. You know what you want, and the bass was designed for you, or you got to make some changes period. My hat goes off to anyone who dare take the risks to find their place under the Sun during a storm, than when the weather is calm. So with this..., I'll give Ron the "Marvin Gay" RIGHT ON! from the album: "What's Going On" and ask him to keep up the good work, may his offerings of solutions to this media is continues. Nothing on this earth is above change, so its always best to welcome it, and understand if such change(s) impacts our lives globally, or locally. I got my share of battle scares too, and even if I was handcuffed down to a chair and taking blows from the weak, I would just laugh and smile (broken teeth and all...) and say: "ya got to do better than that... I will never fear you!" Ron, both you and Danno are my heroes, because I love what you are doing. Please update us who love knew knowledge. Peace and Love- (Message edited by toma_hawk01 on December 13, 2009) | ||
| chrisalembic
Member Username: chrisalembic Post Number: 96 Registered: 3-2009 |
Actually one of the best basses I have ever played was an old, beat up, all black, all passive bass. No Joke!! That bass was singing!! Hey Ronald, good to see you were able to modify your bass to your musical needs. Keep playing those low notes!! | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 4201 Registered: 7-2004 |
Danno: That's "Pigpen", not "Pipen". Watch it, buddy! And I have an African Leopard Tortoise named "Fillmore". Wanna make something of it? lol Bill, tgo | ||
| dannobasso
Senior Member Username: dannobasso Post Number: 1161 Registered: 3-2004 |
Soup? I try nots tah use da g key on accountah I's type the name o' dat band so many times it done clean got wore out. Shucks mah proofreadin' sekatary Moe is out wit dat porky flu. So furkive mah keyboard fauxpas. Mah cousin Gumby what lives across da pond has him an African Swallow what fetches co-co- nuts. Dats mighty sweet oh y'all to honor our 13th prezident that way. | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 9000 Registered: 5-2002 |
13th president; made me look. | ||
| tmoney61092
Advanced Member Username: tmoney61092 Post Number: 293 Registered: 9-2008 |
9000 posts Dave...... ~Taylor Watterson | ||
| elwoodblue
Senior Member Username: elwoodblue Post Number: 929 Registered: 6-2002 |
cool !~) | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 9010 Registered: 5-2002 |
Wow! I didn't realize. | ||
| bass4worship
Junior Username: bass4worship Post Number: 34 Registered: 7-2009 |
Well I finish the bass and made a few changes to remove the popping.  | ||
| bass4worship
Junior Username: bass4worship Post Number: 35 Registered: 7-2009 |
I'm going to try a larger size pic.  | ||
| hydrargyrum
Senior Member Username: hydrargyrum Post Number: 730 Registered: 3-2004 |
That is a very handsome instrument. There is elegance in its simplicity. I would probably have to have a matching wood tip made for the toggle, but I am neurotic. | ||
| bass4worship
Junior Username: bass4worship Post Number: 36 Registered: 7-2009 |
These Excel are really some great basses. I'm going to look into those wood tips for the switches. Thanks for the complement. | ||
| terryc
Senior Member Username: terryc Post Number: 1143 Registered: 11-2004 |
great installation job but what about a pic of the control cavity to see how it was done | ||
| bass4worship
Junior Username: bass4worship Post Number: 40 Registered: 7-2009 |
the control cavity is very small so you not going to see much, everything is tight but I'll see how the pictures come out. |
