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grooveman
Junior
Username: grooveman

Post Number: 26
Registered: 6-2007
Posted on Thursday, July 05, 2007 - 3:10 am:   Edit Post

Maybe advice needed!
For the complete story, link to my introduction-page.

But ...

... does anyone have a complete set of original Alembic '4-Button'-Electronics for sale? (pickup's not needed)

I'm going to use this for the 'restore project' of my modified spoiler!

Note: I have to fill the 4 holes in the body with it, and I also want more sophisticated electronics then the Spoiler has original! Specialy the 800Hz-mids are very important!

Below is a picture of my Spoiler with the 'AGuilar OBP-3' electronics wich is also a beautifull preamp!!

Button left = General volume
Button mid(upper) = Pickup balance
Button mid(lower) = (duobutton) Bass/Treble
Button Right = Mid gain +/- 16db
Switch = 400/800Hz switch

Wich original Alembic electronics are most simular to this OBP-3 ?

Aguilar OBP-3 electronics

(Message edited by grooveman on July 05, 2007)
adriaan
Senior Member
Username: adriaan

Post Number: 1543
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Thursday, July 05, 2007 - 3:33 am:   Edit Post

There are several standard electronics packages that you can buy from Alembic, but the one thing missing in all of them is a mid control - it's just not part of the Alembic philosophy. They have done custom jobs with some sort of mid control, but custom jobs will take time.

Do you find yourself adjusting the mid control a lot, while playing? If not, then why not check the tone shaping in your rig, or perhaps add an outboard parametric EQ.

With four holes, I would suggest getting the Signature package ... you'll have to drill one extra hole for the second Q switch, but having a separate filter for each pickup is a bonus over having just one filter for the whole sound.

Visit Edwin's store in Hilversum - he should have a couple of basses with different packages in stock.
grooveman
Junior
Username: grooveman

Post Number: 27
Registered: 6-2007
Posted on Thursday, July 05, 2007 - 6:55 am:   Edit Post

the Mid's are very important for me on this Spoiler! That's what make's the sound of this bass sound so beautifull! I've heard a lot of "high end's" but never heard such a nice low clear 'grummy' sound as this one! In all registers, from top to bottom!

My settings in general for fingerwork on my OBP-3 customized Spoiler:

- Only bridge-pickup (no neck-PU)
- Full bass in
- Full or 'Half' mid boost at 800hz(switch)
- Treble flat or sometimes 'full turn down'

That's all! Result from this setting is a very deep low 'grummy' punchy sound but with a beautifull precence in the higher regions! Even with those Aguilar electronics I still can hear a lot of detail exact as where we are used to with Alembic! Great for both groovin' and solo-ing with one setting! For solo-ing I use a subtil extra boost from my amp! I can tell you; You don't know what you hear ... even Jako should be jalous! This is different then the mid's Mica's tryed to explane in her topic about 'mids' wich will 'mudd-up' or 'mess-up'(?) all the frequencies in total! Because I was a producer for 14 years and I did a lot of 'mix-downs', I know exactly where she's talking about and she's absolute right about that. I also know where I'm talking about and my 800hz is not 'muddy' or messing-up! If placed in a right balance (depending on your amp) you can make your lows more detailed and more defined wich wil make your low's more 'understandable' but not disturbing the frequency's from your fellow-musician's! Playing or recording a bass, for me is much more then only fill-up your band with undefined low notes!(cause that's what I hear on most bands!) For me It's just like the others an very important autonomic instrument, with his own clear place in the frequency-spectrum! The trick is to find that place!

But Okay ....

For slapping I use my also beloved '89 Stingray!
If necesary I also can make a very nice slapping sound on my Spoiler but to be honest; the neck construction from a (my) spoiler is not mine for slapping! For me it's to 'thick' and not tight enough, but for heavy duty fingerstyle the Spoiler is very nice to play with and much better than a Stingray! My experience; nothing can beat a (real true old) Stingray in general just/only for slapping! Tight as a rock! That's because they're made for it! (not the crap from Ernie-OLP and other MM-clones)

If the sound of original Alembics-elecs doesn't work for me in this Spoiler, I think I leave the situation for what it is now. I'm very happy with this sound and give me a lot of inspiration and pleasure to play. Again; My Alembic in this state is absolute my sound and the best I've ever heard! For both of live- and recording situations!

For slapping; Maybe I have to try another Alembic models first (more expirimental, more detail. I only did some short tryout's)!


Any suggestions, comments or questions? Let me hear ...
grooveman
Junior
Username: grooveman

Post Number: 28
Registered: 6-2007
Posted on Thursday, July 05, 2007 - 7:04 am:   Edit Post

Thanks Adriaan, I also was thinking about the Signature electronics! But I first want to try it!

I think I'm going to visit this guy! Maybe, who know's, I come back with my second Alembic!
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 5238
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Friday, July 06, 2007 - 2:33 pm:   Edit Post

Another thing to consider when buying a used set of electronics is that sometimes more than one component will share the same pc board; thus, the shafts might no necessarily line up with your existing holes.
grooveman
Junior
Username: grooveman

Post Number: 31
Registered: 6-2007
Posted on Saturday, July 07, 2007 - 12:16 am:   Edit Post

You have a point here Dave!
But is it with Signature electronics?

Does anyone have a picture of Signature electronics?

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