| Author | Message | ||
| fdeeptone
Junior Username: fdeeptone Post Number: 11 Registered: 3-2009 |
HI everyone. could someone give me the breakdown on the differences of Alembics original 3 way controls and their newer 2 way controls? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks, | ||
| mike1762
Senior Member Username: mike1762 Post Number: 526 Registered: 1-2008 |
I'm not sure what you mean by "3 way" and "2 way". | ||
| fdeeptone
Junior Username: fdeeptone Post Number: 12 Registered: 3-2009 |
Well I have a G&L bass with Alembic pickups. three pots that control tone. Volume has to be adjusted at the head. I had one of the pots broken and contacted Alembic sometime ago. They said they didnt make the three way controls anmore but that i could purchase a 2 way module kit to replace it. I managed to repair the existing pot si i still have the three way setup. Just wanted to understand better what the differences were. For better or worse. Does anyone use this 3 way setup anmore or not. Advantages,disadvantages ect. I cant explain it any better. Thanks for reply. i hope this helps clarify my question. (BTW my other bass is a 1983 spoiler and im not sure if this is the 2 way thay are speaking about. Alembic said that all their PU are made tha same. | ||
| mike1762
Senior Member Username: mike1762 Post Number: 527 Registered: 1-2008 |
You must have an "Activator" in the G&L. The set-up on most Activator systems is Volume-Pan-Filter. There is one that has a traditional Bass-Treble in place of the Filter. Perhaps that is what you mean by 2 way? Did Alembic ever make an Activator with Bass-Mid-Treble (thus 3-way)? They all have a volume control, so I'm a little confused... | ||
| fdeeptone
Junior Username: fdeeptone Post Number: 13 Registered: 3-2009 |
I couls try and poat a pic of the electronics if that would help after I wake up a bit ;P Mica was the one who explained it to me over a year ago, maybe im not remebering right but the controls all seem to effect tone, not volume per say. | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 9275 Registered: 5-2002 |
A picture of the electronics might help. | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 9276 Registered: 5-2002 |
While were waking up (I'm headed for my second cup of coffee), try this. Turn all three pots fully counter clockwise. Do you still have sound? | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 9277 Registered: 5-2002 |
Were the G&L electronics completely replaced by the Alembic electronics? Are there any switches, or just the three pots? Are any of the pots scratchy, noisy, when you turn them? | ||
| fdeeptone
Junior Username: fdeeptone Post Number: 14 Registered: 3-2009 |
Ok I think I can explain thisa a bit better. three knobs. First one seems to effect only tone *( one closet to jack. The center knob has a dead spot in it I am guessing becaise as i turn clockwise the pickup gets more sensitive then cuts out totally, When turned counterclockwise all the way you can still faintly hear the bass. Still very loud before cutoff point. the top knob controls the neck pickup and no volume at full counterclockwise. I followed Daves counterclcowise test to determine this. Apparently the bridge control has a malfunction Which brings me back to ariginal question. the comparison between this old setup and Alembics 2 way setup.  | ||
| fdeeptone
Junior Username: fdeeptone Post Number: 15 Registered: 3-2009 |
you know I was just thinking, when my brother and I were replacing the knobs on this bass my brother accidently pulled the pin out of the pot on the center knob, is it possible that when it was put back in it was turned the wrong direction? The knob is functional but seems to operate the opposite of the others and has a dead spot at about 12 0 clock. and no sound at full clockwise. Loudest volume is right before immediate cutout. | ||
| fdeeptone
Junior Username: fdeeptone Post Number: 16 Registered: 3-2009 |
OK last post till reply lol. I am asking these questions because I also have a spoiler bass 1982 and it does not seem as hot as the pu on the G&L in fact nowhere near. The electronics are different setup no doubt.So I guess I am curoius as to if I replace the current module in the G&L (which is discontinued)to the new setup Alembic offers am I losing any tonality. And if the pickups are the same why is the G&L run so much hotter? man I need to take an electronics course;P | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 4407 Registered: 7-2004 |
Mark: Personally, I've never heard of "Alembic's two-way vs. three-way setup". I think perhaps you are mis-recalling your conversation with Mica. By "dead spot" in the center knob, are you perhaps referring to a center detent? Does the knob seem to click in the middle of the rotation? For example, thinking the typical 1-10 potentiometer, (no Spinal Tap 11 here), does the center knob seem to have a very defined resting place at about 5? If so, it is a pan that should choose one pickup at the furthest range (1 or 10), and blend them both in between (both pickups on and equal volume at 5). If there is a detent, but it's not panning between pickups, there may be a problem. As for the typical Alembic electronics, there is usually a volume, a low pass filter, and some type of pickup selector, either rotary (off-neck-bridge-both) or a pan as described above. A "Q" switch is often added to accentuate the filter's cut off frequency, but your's clearly doesn't have a "Q". Bill, the guitar one | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 4408 Registered: 7-2004 |
Mark: You posted as I was writing. If I understand correctly, your brother pulled the shaft right out of the pot and then just shoved it back in? I'm no electronics expert, but it seems to me that this alone would lunch the pot. As for the Alembic pickups being "less hot" than the G&L, have you adjusted the trimpot on the preamp? I would think you should be able to set the Alembics much hotter than standard passive pickups. As for tone, if your electronics are in order and calibrated properly, the tone from the Alembics should far outshine any passive system I've ever heard. If you have a lunched pan pot, I suspect that could effect the overall sound and perceived "hotness" Bill, tgo | ||
| fdeeptone
Junior Username: fdeeptone Post Number: 17 Registered: 3-2009 |
So lets see if i got this straight? The controls are bottom knob is a low pass filter which effects the overall tone of the bass, center knob is a pan. possible detent as the bass does act strangly at the center point but thats also where the scratch sound is. And the top is a rotory selector, So with this setupthe top knob is a selector for both neck and bridge? It kind of seems like the center knob controls the bridge and the top controls the neck at least thats how I have always set the bass.But the panning is an interesting thought that never crossed my mind. | ||
| fdeeptone
Junior Username: fdeeptone Post Number: 18 Registered: 3-2009 |
Well Im not comparing it to a passive setup as the G&L has Alembic pickups. My brother was removing a speed knob and pulled the shaft out of the pot which he carefully put back in but it has changed the way that pot reacts. Overall the bass sounds great and runs alot hotter then my spoiler, I adjusted the preamp on the spoiler sometime ago Ill take another look at it maybe its not adjust enough. I was more concerened on balance at the time over output. Clockwise with the trimpot will increase sensitivity correct? | ||
| hieronymous
Senior Member Username: hieronymous Post Number: 758 Registered: 1-2005 |
I don't have anything to add RE: the controls, but your bass looks awesome! Love those knobs, and I've always been a fan of black basses with maple necks... | ||
| keith_h
Moderator Username: keith_h Post Number: 1606 Registered: 2-2005 |
I would say your controls are the typical Volume, Pan and Filter. Like Bill said, I also suspect you have damaged the pan pot. This could result in any number of symptoms. The 12 o'clock detent on the Pan should be full signal from both pickups. At this point I think your best option is to call Alembic and have them walk through the problems with over the phone. This way you can verify which parts are not functioning properly and know which parts to order (or look for on the used market). Keith | ||
| keith_h
Moderator Username: keith_h Post Number: 1607 Registered: 2-2005 |
I also want to add what you are calling "2 way" and "3 way" is more likely "2 control" and "3 control". Your Spoiler would be "2 control" electronics where the current Activators are "3 control" electronics. Keith | ||
| fdeeptone
Junior Username: fdeeptone Post Number: 19 Registered: 3-2009 |
Thanks everyone, Alembics resolve to this issue is to replace the module because they no longer carry parts for this setup.Thus their current setup as opossed to the one I have here. Im just not sure what the differences are. | ||
| fdeeptone
Junior Username: fdeeptone Post Number: 20 Registered: 3-2009 |
haha keith answered my question as i was posting my last comment. Thanks everyone and thanks for the compliment on my bass hieronymous I always liked the look of it as well. Ill call Alembic to see what the difference in their old setup ad the new setup is and go from there I guess as i know thay dont carry a replacement pot for these controls. | ||
| mike1762
Senior Member Username: mike1762 Post Number: 528 Registered: 1-2008 |
Another possible issue: Do you have the Alembic pre-amp in addition to the PUPs or did you just hook-up Alembic PUPs to the stock pre-amp? | ||
| fdeeptone
Junior Username: fdeeptone Post Number: 21 Registered: 3-2009 |
well the original PUps for the G&L are passive so I can only assume that the preamp is Alembic as the bass is active now. | ||
| elwoodblue
Senior Member Username: elwoodblue Post Number: 1051 Registered: 6-2002 |
I'm glad your finding answers. I had a thought,and I might be off base because it does sound like the panpot has been through a bit; Could it be that the polarity of one of the pickups has been somehow reversed so when the panpot is in the middle the pickups are cancelling parts of the signal? Probably a long shot but I thought I'd speak up anyway. By the way, I really dig the G&L/Alembic combination. | ||
| fdeeptone
Junior Username: fdeeptone Post Number: 22 Registered: 3-2009 |
guess i better go play with it some more, my main bass is my spoiler so the G&L is for just mixing it up abit. Ill play with the pan a bit and see what comes from that. Thanks for the compliment on the bass  I cant take pics of the electronics in fear ill pull that shaft out during knob removal.But all the answers everyone has been so helpful with have definatley steered me in the right direction. | ||
| pace
Senior Member Username: pace Post Number: 533 Registered: 4-2004 |
Although I do not see any Q switches on the G&L, perhaps the conversation involved the 2-way toggle (standard activators) vs. 3-way toggle (series I) variations of the Q switch?!? | ||
| tbrannon
Senior Member Username: tbrannon Post Number: 1173 Registered: 11-2004 |
One other random bit of input- the pickups aren't mounted the way Alembic intended when they designed the pickups. You've got all 4 screws on top. Two screws (set diagonally from each other) should be underneath the pickups and used as height adjustment screws and the other two screws sit diagonally across from each other on top to help secure the pickup against those 'height setter' screws underneath. Having it set that way makes it easy to set the height and eliminates the need for springs, cushioning, etc behind the pickup. I too dig the G&L/Alembic combo. I have a L2000 that I love.. You may have convinced me to pick up a used G&L and scrap the electronics and find a set of electronics to drop in..... | ||
| mike1762
Senior Member Username: mike1762 Post Number: 529 Registered: 1-2008 |
I'm a HUGE Music Man fan, but I've never had a G&L. I just assumed the G&Ls were active. | ||
| fdeeptone
Junior Username: fdeeptone Post Number: 23 Registered: 3-2009 |
Well IM glad my post may have helped someone but me! (picture anyway:P)Pace brings up an interesting point. I dont think the electronics on this bass have any type of q-switch but if i were to buy a new updated module i wonder if it would have a q switch? Ans Tbrannon brings up something I had just noticed today. My spoiler has the pickup mounts that he is speaking of and the G&L doesnt.Ill pull the PU's to see if they needed mounting differently. although look at this link. It describes adjusting PU by loosening 2 top screws then adjusting the heighth with the 2 bottom screws.http://www.alembic.com/support/care.html Thanks again for all the help everyone! | ||
| tbrannon
Senior Member Username: tbrannon Post Number: 1174 Registered: 11-2004 |
Mike, I've owned 3 G&L's and all of them have been active... of Leo's 3 creations (Fender, Musicman, G&L), I prefer the G&L's. They're the least popular of the three, but that makes them far more affordable, which is fine by me! | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 6739 Registered: 6-2000 |
OK, I think I can clear up some confusion about the timeline for Alembic Activators. If I can see under that pickgaurd sometime, I can be of more specific assistance. Anyway, we stopped making 2-volume Activators some 20 years ago. Spares were exhausted 10-12 years ago for the volume pots. Now, we suggest replacing the original 2-volume harness with a volume and pan. The volume pan arrangement is actually an improvement when it comes to noise. The 2-volume setup had the filter gain at 100% all the time, so even if the volumes were turned low, the filter gain was at max, so low volume settings were noisy. With the volume pan setup, the filter gain is proportional to the volume, so the noise doesn't increase as the volume turns down. | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 9286 Registered: 5-2002 |
Interesting Mica; thanks! | ||
| fdeeptone
Junior Username: fdeeptone Post Number: 24 Registered: 3-2009 |
Mica thanks for the information. ever play telephone game? Just couldnt remeber this conversation we had over a year ago. it was the top pot that was replaced a year ago when we talked. The center pot is the scratchy one that the shaft was torn out recently. Guess i should consider ordering the new setup and save everyone alot of pain, but interesting conversation. Thanks again everyone! |
