| Author | Message | ||
| rickb
New Username: rickb Post Number: 1 Registered: 3-2010 |
I bought this bass brand new and have never adjusted the trimpots, is their a big difference in sound when changing the gain. | ||
| slawie
Senior Member Username: slawie Post Number: 702 Registered: 8-2002 |
Put a mark on the pot where they are currently set before you move them just so you can get back to the original setting. slawie | ||
| adriaan
Moderator Username: adriaan Post Number: 3176 Registered: 6-2002 |
Welcome to the Club! The trimpots adjust the gain for the two preamps (there's one for each pickup). This allows you to to set the height of the pickups to where you like the sound (closer to the strings tends to sound hotter) and compensate any difference in output level between the two. If you haven't checked it out already, the FAQ & Must Reads section is a good starting point. Most members here will recommend Joey's Post On Setting Up Your Bass - it's all you need to know to take care of your bass all by yourself. Enjoy the ride! | ||
| rickb
New Username: rickb Post Number: 2 Registered: 3-2010 |
Thanks for the quick response, I'll just have to experiment! | ||
| bigredbass
Senior Member Username: bigredbass Post Number: 2283 Registered: 9-2002 |
Rick, the trims set your gains for each pickup which then combine that mix thru your volume pot. Alembic classically places the two pickups near the end of the fingerboard and often right next to the bridge. Not only is there a tone difference, but a difference in volume due to the fact that the string is vibrating in a much bigger arc over the neck pickup (louder) than it is right next to the bridge over the bridge pickup (noticeably less gain than the neck pickup if the two pots are set at identical positions). So since Spoilers don't have a pan pot, you set your 'both' pickups position tone on the rotary selector by using the trim pots to get a more twangy sound (back pickup louder) or a bassier sound (front pickup louder). You can experiment with those gains, bearing in mind the difference you can live with when soloing either pickup if you play that way. And your pickup heights will affect tone and volume a little. These are low impedance pickups, so typically they aren't as 'spike-y' regarding pickup heights but you will hear a difference as you raise or lower them. And remember the Alembic pickup adjustment drill: Loosen the two screws you can see, then reach through and adjust your heights with the two screws you can see through the other two holes. When you get them where you want them, then just snug up the two screws you can see. Just snug, NOT hard tight, snug is enough. You can experiment endlessly with these adjustments if you can truly hear the tweaks: Some can, some don't. And there's no 'right' answer, just set it where YOU like it. I'd also recommend doing this with new strings, they will be the most honest in what you're hearing, and you can avoid a few aural mirages that old strings can sometimes supply . . . . Joey | ||
| rickb
New Username: rickb Post Number: 3 Registered: 3-2010 |
Thanks Joey, That's just the information I was looking for, now I am going to make some adjustments that fit my style of playing. I bought this bass brand new but didn't use it on the road that often, so now it is time to have a little fun with it! | ||
| bigredbass
Senior Member Username: bigredbass Post Number: 2286 Registered: 9-2002 |
I for forgot to tell you, I do this with the backplate off, just be careful. BTW, on mine, I can solo the neck pickup, 'scoop' the amp tone and run the filter wide open, play with a pick back by the bridge, and you get the 'Rickenbacker from Hell' tone: Lemmy tell you about it . . . . it's roundabout a BIG Chris Squire riff. Joey | ||
| rickb
New Username: rickb Post Number: 4 Registered: 3-2010 |
Thanks, I just looked up the You Tube Chris Squire bass isolation track for Runabout. I tried it & I see what you mean, great Rickenbacker tone! I had mine set last night at the gig that sounded like an earlier Mark King tone, that was the first time I changed the trim pot gains from factory settings. |
