| Author | Message | ||
| slicknickhaas
Junior Username: slicknickhaas Post Number: 44 Registered: 10-2009 |
so today I was playing around with my Epic 5 and my Modulus quantom 5 and couldn't help but notice the difference between the volume of the two. the Epic is pretty standerd as Epics go, I love it and use it the most and use my Modulus mostly as a back up. but I love how loud the q5 is compared to the Epic. while the tone of the epic is far wider.( the Q5 has emgs with the agular E.Q. so its a lil on the trebly side of tone) so the question is, is there anyone out there how has added an extra 9 volts to there bass? could the electronics handle the voltage? Just wondering..... not sure if I would really mod my Epic but the thought is danc'in round in my head. so I ask you my fellow alembican's, what do you think? 9 or 18 volt, whitch is better for a clear bright sound? | ||
| slicknickhaas
Junior Username: slicknickhaas Post Number: 45 Registered: 10-2009 |
and on an other note, edwin, how's that custom series Guild Starfire coming along? | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 10317 Registered: 5-2002 |
Just thought I would check; is the gain trim pot in the control cavity turned all the way up? | ||
| slicknickhaas
Junior Username: slicknickhaas Post Number: 46 Registered: 10-2009 |
hummm, good question. opening her up to take a peek now, any preferences on a position? | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 10318 Registered: 5-2002 |
The trim tab has no effect on the tone of the bass. Turned all the way up, it could overdrive some amps. Generally, players that use two or more basses on stage at a time will adjust the trim tab so that the output matches that of the other basses. I can't recall but I think I have mine all the way up; I just like sending a lot of signal to the preamp. | ||
| slicknickhaas
Junior Username: slicknickhaas Post Number: 47 Registered: 10-2009 |
WOW! its a whole new bass now! it was at about 50%, with it all the way up it really stands out. but now I just noticed no mater where the gains at theres a hum that come up every time I touch the treble nob, interesting. | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 10319 Registered: 5-2002 |
Here is the FAQ on trim pots. Note that the total travel is less than 360°. | ||
| slicknickhaas
Junior Username: slicknickhaas Post Number: 48 Registered: 10-2009 |
I hear you on the over driving of some amps, i'll have to mess around with it more since I think it might overdrive my tube amps but it sounds great through my Eden | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 10320 Registered: 5-2002 |
The hum wasn't there before? | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 10321 Registered: 5-2002 |
There shouldn't be any hum. Have you put the cover back on yet? | ||
| slicknickhaas
Junior Username: slicknickhaas Post Number: 49 Registered: 10-2009 |
now i with i could upgrade the electronics in my Q5 to Alembic electronics, it might be nice to have adjustment for both pickups rater than one over all to, thank you dave, its nice to have such advice just a post away! | ||
| slicknickhaas
Junior Username: slicknickhaas Post Number: 50 Registered: 10-2009 |
yes even with the cover on it still has a hum but only when I touch the nob though,I'm noticing a slight wiggle to the shaft of the pot too, might be time to get some replacement parts? | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 10322 Registered: 5-2002 |
It could be that the nut holding the pot tight to the body is loose; and since the pot is grounded when tight against the shielding inside the cavity, that could be causing the hum. Go here for instructions on how to remove the knob. Once the knob is removed, tighten the nut with a box-end wrench. You may want to put a polishing cloth between the body and the wrench. You should remove the control cavity cover to make sure the pot doesn't turn when you tighten the nut; you don't want the pot turning to where it's touching anything else inside the cavity except the top. | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 10323 Registered: 5-2002 |
I'm headed for bed. If the nut wasn't loose, then maybe there's a problem with the pot. Let us know what you find. | ||
| slicknickhaas
Member Username: slicknickhaas Post Number: 51 Registered: 10-2009 |
Check and check, noticed the vol pot was a lil loose to, the tone pot shaft is still wiggling a bit, cant notice the hum at the moment but its more noticeble at higher volumes so I'll give it a proper check when the kids aren't sleepin, thanks again dave your a great help! | ||
| slicknickhaas
Member Username: slicknickhaas Post Number: 54 Registered: 10-2009 |
Well after playing around with the gain a bit I'm much happy with the sound. I also found the hum to be gone from the treb pot | ||
| edwin
Senior Member Username: edwin Post Number: 1009 Registered: 5-2002 |
I'm stalled installing the Series electronics as I discovered that some of the parts needed to be replaced. However, even with the two pickups installed without the humcanceller, it's probably the one of the best sounds I've ever gotten out of a bass. It's just perfect. There is some noise that changed according to orientation, so I am really looking forward to getting it all completed, but in the meantime, it is so much fun to play. From subterranean lows to really crisp highs (and nice growl through a Sarno Earth Drive), it's like scratching an itch I've had since 1974. So, yeah, it's great! :-) I'll try to get some clips posted somewhere. | ||
| elwoodblue
Senior Member Username: elwoodblue Post Number: 1265 Registered: 6-2002 |
Great news Nick , ...and I'm really looking forward to hearing clips Edwin, Elwood | ||
| slicknickhaas
Member Username: slicknickhaas Post Number: 55 Registered: 10-2009 |
Can't wait to hear the bass Edwin, a photo or to would be cool to, (Message edited by slicknickhaas on August 03, 2011) | ||
| edwin
Senior Member Username: edwin Post Number: 1011 Registered: 5-2002 |
Here ya go! Since this picture I have added a copper sheet to ground the interior.  | ||
| elwoodblue
Senior Member Username: elwoodblue Post Number: 1268 Registered: 6-2002 |
That makes me smile, ...yummy : ) | ||
| benson_murrensun
Senior Member Username: benson_murrensun Post Number: 490 Registered: 5-2007 |
I heard that bass on Monday when Edwin was playing with Shakedown Street. As you said, Edwin, it took you 30 years to finally get "that" sound... but you definitely got it! | ||
| slicknickhaas
Member Username: slicknickhaas Post Number: 56 Registered: 10-2009 |
you shure that photo wasn't takin in 72? on anther note I just had and interesting talk with a man called "fat dog" at subway guitars in berkly, WOW! blu my mind, The mans been doing buisness since 1968, Jerry, Phil, Jack, Carlos, all the heavy players where shopping there back in the day, He said he has Instruments that the guys traded in over the years, Jerry's guitars be for alembic! Vintage Alembic parts from the 70's! I'm picking up an old Guild starfire bass from him here in the next couple months, He said he haddent seen it in a few years but he recalls some one turning it in to a fretless, depending on what I want he could refret in no time, he even ofered to install Alembic Pickups and Electronics! My jaw is still on the floor! ether way I'm sending him a down payment. I debated weather or not to post this but I feel that what he has currently is just to much to not sare with my fellow Alembicans so check out this link, the guild starfire bass is sold, http://www.fatdawg.com/elks/ | ||
| cozmik_cowboy
Senior Member Username: cozmik_cowboy Post Number: 1037 Registered: 10-2006 |
I heard Edwin's bass with Shakedown Street a month ago - "that" sound, indeed! And while he told me it was having directional noise problems, I didn't hear it from the floor. Peter | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 1972 Registered: 5-2009 |
I have known " Fatdawg" since the I moved to the " East Bay" in the early '80s . I have been in his shop a "few" times checking out his "piles of stuff" . I see him around town occasionally as well .A while back he was taking donations of used old bass strings to give to players who were "in need" . I gave him about a dozen or so old sets . LOL , it seemed like a " hip" thing to do at the time . (Message edited by sonicus on August 03, 2011) | ||
| edwin
Senior Member Username: edwin Post Number: 1012 Registered: 5-2002 |
Yeah, I 've hung with the dog a few times. I asked him about the mythical starfires he had lying around but somehow they would never materialize. I hope you have better luck than I did! Before he installs the Alembic stuff he has, make sure that it's what you want. He has a lot of AXY and jazz pickups and both would require serious routing. You might want to have a hand in making decisions around that process as you don't want to hack up the bass more than you have to. Those things are best done in person. When I was getting the Series pickups installed, it took a few months and many meetings and discussions to get it just right. It looks like a simple process, but once the wood is removed from the bass, it's gone. I'm not trying to rain on your parade, I just want you to end up with what you really want, not something that shot past it in haste to get there. In any case, please keep us posted! | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 1973 Registered: 5-2009 |
Edwin , Thanks for saying what was also on my mind ! I would concur with Edwin 10O% +++++ ! We have both had a few Starfire projects. I would like to add this ;_____buy that Starfire as is ! Have it shipped to you without having "Fatdawg and Crew" change anything. Get a current NEW picture of it as well before you commit to the purchase . Happy Star-firing ! | ||
| slicknickhaas
Member Username: slicknickhaas Post Number: 57 Registered: 10-2009 |
thank you guys, I agree totally, he said it would take some time to dig up, And as far as the Alembic pickups and what not I wouldn't want anything done to the bass till I had an idea of just what he had as far as parts. |
