| Author | Message | ||
| the_lad
Junior Username: the_lad Post Number: 16 Registered: 12-2004 |
Hi all, Question for anyone with more Alembic electronics experience: I have a new order in for a hybrid Essence with a '70's small standard body, and I've requested a "Q" switch for more tonal versatility. I've been reading different comments in the Alembic club and after reading someone say "imagine putting in 2 "Q" swithces on the Essence what more tonal varieties can be had" or something to that effect. I'm trying to stay within my budget (I'd love to get anniversary electronics, but I fear the price will be higher than a Signature electronics which is a bit steep for me as it is.), so what would adding 2 instead of one "Q" switch do for my Essence? One sound I'd luv to be able to get out of my Essence with the help of the 1 or two "Q" swithches is that great, killer tone John Entwhistle got on his Spyder/Exploiter in the film "The Kids Are Allright", playing "Baba O'Riley" & "Won't Get Fooled Again" live! Any thoughts, outside of suggesting that I buy a pricey J.E. Limited Edition signature Spyder? LOL ! Thanx in advance! Cheers, Robes | ||
| the_lad
Junior Username: the_lad Post Number: 17 Registered: 12-2004 |
One More thought? How about a second low pass filter to go with a second "Q" switch for my Essence to get me closer to that big, cutting Entwhistle Spyder sound? Can anyone tell me the upcharge cost for an extra low pass filter to be added to an Essence? I know an extra "Q" switch is quite reasonable. Thanx! Cheers, Robes | ||
| serialnumber12
Junior Username: serialnumber12 Post Number: 16 Registered: 12-2004 |
If you can afford it i say go for it, you cant lose! adding another "Q" switch will create a whole new bass for you! it will certanly bring you closer to that "series bass sound" | ||
| bsee
Senior Member Username: bsee Post Number: 671 Registered: 3-2004 |
I was actually wondering if Q switches could be additive, but a Q switch does work in conjunction with a filter. Thus far, I believe you can only get one switch per filter. There is a multi-position switch for an upcharge over the regular switch and I have them on order for my new bass, but I don't know how much it will buy me. The 'regular' Q switch is off/8dB boost. The 3-way is off/6dB/9dB boost. The big win is the CVQ where it's a 0-15dB adjustable pot, but you have to buy Series II electronics to get those. Having dual additive Q switches associated with a single filter that would give you off/8dB/16dB might be interesting if it were possible. I don't know if the base Essence electronics package will support two filters either. You may need dual preamp electronics to support two filters, and I don't know if the Essence is a single preamp like my Persuader or dual like the Europa and Signature models. Also, two filters and two Q switches is the Signature electronics package. According to the configurator, that is generally not available in an Essence body for size reasons. You are getting an alternate body shape though, so that may not be a problem. Of course, your bass may no longer be called an Essence by the time you're done. I had some crazy idea about starting with an Essence, changing the body and adding Series electronics. I was told that if you upgrade the body and the electronics that it's no longer an Essence, which seemed a pretty reasonable policy to me. I went in another direction. Also, Anniversary is (was?) a $300 upcharge from Signature electronics. If your order is already in, you may want to be a bit delicate about making changes, and I don't want to guide you into any. That said, you might look into using the AXY pickups so you can have a fatboy at the bridge. My understanding is that it's a higher output pickup that provides greater harmonic content. -Bob | ||
| the_lad
Junior Username: the_lad Post Number: 18 Registered: 12-2004 |
Hey guys, Wow! Such great info & details you shared with me! It's all in my head now & I am going to get two "Q" switches. By the way, due the fact I've ordered a small standard body for my Essence, it will automatically come with the AXY pickups Val said. That's a plus. The extra "Q" switch is a small price. Well guys, thanks a bunch once again, you came thru with solid advice & did so FAST! Always a pleasure friends! Cheers, Robes P.S. Have a great weekend! | ||
| bsee
Senior Member Username: bsee Post Number: 672 Registered: 3-2004 |
You really can get two Q switches with only one filter? Is that confirmed from Alembic? How does it work? | ||
| kungfusheriff
Advanced Member Username: kungfusheriff Post Number: 242 Registered: 8-2003 |
Robes, Sounds like you might be happiest with a straight-up Brown Bass. The Essence package comes with vol-pan-Q controls, so a second Q switch would be pointless without a second tone pot to be coupled with--the switch turns a regular treble rolloff into a notch filter, which is basically a wah pedal set in one position, but with a much broader range. Each switch acts on only one town control. Which brings you into Signature electronics, which have two sets of vol-tone-Q switch controls, or maybe vol-pan-tone/Q-tone-Q, I can't recall. Anniversary electronics, such as those used in the Brown Bass, add a four-position switch that allows quick changes to the neck or bridge pups, both together, or standby mode. You can also have a switch that selects between stereo and mono output from the 1/4" output, I believe. Many options, each offering incremental increases over the last. If you order this last option, you could ask Alembic to prep it for Series electronics, which are mindblowing, and you could lay out the extra cash later after your bank balance recovers. You sound like a fellow tone tweaker.;) Go for the gusto, already! I fooled around for years before I laid out big money for what I really wanted, and now I don't need other basses. I might want them, but when it comes down to justifying another bass, I blow the idea off. | ||
| pace
Intermediate Member Username: pace Post Number: 112 Registered: 4-2004 |
Kungfusheriff is right~ there is no reason for an extra Q switch w/out it's own dedicated filter.... Unless you'd want to create an extra notch (or on the other extreme scoop) somewhere else in the freq spectrum... It's location would be fixed unless you tie it to a filter..... The best upgrades to the Essence package (imho) would be the Europa treble & bass cut/boost 3-ways and also a 3-way Q. I never thought I'd use the treble & bass toggles until I owned a bass w/ them... -Mike | ||
| the_lad
Junior Username: the_lad Post Number: 19 Registered: 12-2004 |
Thanks for all the great info & advice guys! Something unforseen came up (call it Murphy's Law if you will) over this past weekend regarding my financial situation & I had to immediately call the music store & Alembic to cancel my order for my new bass before they started production. I have to recoup my finances & clear my depts before even thinking of a new Alembic. I may only be in a position, in the not too distant future, to buy a used Alembic when the time is right. I'm seeling some music gear to help with my financial situation. I'm selling my mint Marcus Miller Jazz bass & my mint (only used twice live!)Ampeg SVT Classic rig. Well guys, that's the scoop as it stands now. Let's see what tomorrow brings. Cheers, Robes | ||
| wideload
Member Username: wideload Post Number: 77 Registered: 6-2003 |
Small world! I am late checking this thread, and I didn't check your profile until I saw your sig today. I must have your old Rogue 5, with the ramp between the pups ( and your engraved truss rod cover!). I've had her about a year and a half, and am happy with her (forgiving the GAS I feel when roaming this site!). I make sure she gets to church every Sunday, and take her out for some redneck rock'n'roll the rest of the week. One question-did you add the shims under the pickups, or was that "feature" already there when you had the bass? Larry |
