| Author | Message | ||
| willie
Intermediate Member Username: willie Post Number: 127 Registered: 11-2003 |
I have an Essence that has a Small Standard body with a crown peghead, sustain block, 2 purple heart neck lams with Essence electronics with a added Q switch. I'm thinking of upgrading the electronics to Signature ones. Its already close to a Stanley Clarke bass the way it is. I figured the upgrade would make it even closer. I had the honor of playing one of Stanley's basses that was on consignment at Guitar Villa. I loved the bass and the tone options with that electronic package. I was wondering if anyone has ever done that or knows if its possible. I realize there may need to be some routing on the back to fit the electronics and obviously some new holes drilled on the front which would have to be done at the Mothership. I have an e-mail in to Mica asking her about this. I just want to hear some opinions of the very knowledgeable and helpful people here. I wish I had had them installed when it was built but just like ebony neck lams, side LED's back laminates and all the other options I had to draw the line somewhere money wise. Let me know what you think. By the way the bass has the narrower Pickups like an Essence or Europa and is tuned as a tenor bass and is a short scale. Thanks Willie | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 8242 Registered: 5-2002 |
I don't see why it wouldn't be possible, given that it's a Small Standard body. I think it's a great idea! | ||
| jacko
Senior Member Username: jacko Post Number: 2288 Registered: 10-2002 |
"I had the honor of playing one of Stanley's basses that was on consignment at Guitar Villa." If it really was one of Stanley's basses and not an SC signature then it would have had series 2 electronics and not the signature that you're hoping to upgrade to. Having compared my signature with Georgie Boy's series, there's a world of difference in tonal possibilities. That's not to say the signature isn't an excellent package - I love mine and probably won't ever go for a series - just be sure you know what you heard ;-) Graeme (Message edited by jacko on June 23, 2009) | ||
| georgie_boy
Senior Member Username: georgie_boy Post Number: 808 Registered: 8-2005 |
Thanks for the heads up Graeme!! George | ||
| georgie_boy
Senior Member Username: georgie_boy Post Number: 809 Registered: 8-2005 |
Graeme........I think you don't like Series basses. I can understand why..after hearing your basses. I suppose it's just horses for courses. George | ||
| jacko
Senior Member Username: jacko Post Number: 2289 Registered: 10-2002 |
That's not at all true George. I loved the tone of your bass (and many others - stanley, JJ, JoS etc). However, I can't see me ever needing one as the signature electronics do everything I want. Graeme p.s. If you ever decide to sell up I'll be first in the Queue ;-) | ||
| georgie_boy
Senior Member Username: georgie_boy Post Number: 810 Registered: 8-2005 |
(Message edited by georgie_boy on June 23, 2009) | ||
| willie
Intermediate Member Username: willie Post Number: 128 Registered: 11-2003 |
Graeme Thats a good point. The bass was definitely Stanley's. He had to sell it as part of a deal having to do with a divorce according to the salesman. He wasn't even goint to let me touch it. It was up in a display case above other basses. Once I starting naming the people at Alembic and could tell him their phone number off the top of my head and told him I had already at that time had 2 Alembic's built for me. Than he said "Oh, let me get you a cord sir and what amp would you like to try it through. It could have been Series 2 electronics, there were so many knobs it took a while to figure them out. I only owned up to Europa electronics. The reason I thought they were signature was because he pluggeed it in with just a 1/4" jack. I thought you needed the 5 pin cable for series 2 but I did see some pictures of Series 2 basses with both types of outputs. Either way, changing to the Signature electronics would make it more like a S.C. model. But above that would give it way more tone flexibility. Plus I'm sure the Series 2 electronics are alot more money. It was nice playing his actual bass though. Knowing whose fingers wore that finish down was cool. Played it for more than an hour but had to go back to work. Didn't have an extra $7000 they wanted for it though. Thanks Willie | ||
| keith_h
Senior Member Username: keith_h Post Number: 1309 Registered: 2-2005 |
I'm not sure your model would support the Series electronics. They require a thicker body that is not typical on non-Series instruments (the Brown Bass is the exception as I recall). I don't know what cavity size your bass has but Signature or Anniversary electronics should fit. However it might require routing if the cavity is too small. Keith | ||
| willie
Intermediate Member Username: willie Post Number: 129 Registered: 11-2003 |
I figured it might need routing. And some new holes for the different knob and switch setup. I just hope if it needs routing that the finish doesn't get damaged and the whole bass have to be refinished, which it doesn't need. Its like new. Probably too much too ask that they would just fit in with a couple new holes in the front and be done. I can't afford the series electronics right now anyway as far as body thickness. Willie | ||
| willie
Intermediate Member Username: willie Post Number: 130 Registered: 11-2003 |
What is the difference between Signature and anniversary electronics and are Anniversary electronics available? Willie | ||
| keith_h
Senior Member Username: keith_h Post Number: 1310 Registered: 2-2005 |
The Anniversary Electronics have two volume controls and a stereo/mono switch for the output. The Signature has a pan and volume. Both have filters and Q-switches for each pickup. Which setup to go with is personal preference. If you look in the Must Read there is a thread with a link to a discussion on volume/volume versus volume/pan. Keith | ||
| ajdover
Senior Member Username: ajdover Post Number: 722 Registered: 11-2003 |
I've owned/still own Alembics with: Essence electronics Signature electronics Europa electronics Anniversary electronics I'd offer that if you like simplicity, the Essence electronics are the way to go. Personally, it is one of my favorite setups. If you like something a bit more complicated, but less flexible in terms of being able to manipulate each pickup independently tone-wise, the Europa electronics are the way to go. I recently sold my Europa not because I didn't like it, but because I liked the Signature and Essence electronics more - it was more "me." If you like to be able to tweak each pickup independently, the Anniversary or Signature setup is the way to go (2 X filter and Q). The main difference, as Keith has noted is in the pickup selector/pan pot option. For me, the pan pot works better. If you're running something stereo, the Anniversary electronics should be your option of choice. I will say the Anniversary electronics are very, very trebly to my ear, but that's only my personal observation. The Signature electronics sound more "woody" to my ear as well. If it is possible, I suggest you contact other Alembic owners in your area and see if you can play their basses. This way, you can figure out exactly what works for you (and at a far lower cost than buying a lot of Alembics!). Good Luck! Alan | ||
| willie
Intermediate Member Username: willie Post Number: 131 Registered: 11-2003 |
Thanks Alan I have a Europa and love the electronics in that bass. The reason I considered the signature electronics for this bass is that when I speced it out I was going for a Stanley Clarke bass but cheaper cost with the specials at the time. The only thing about this bass left from an Essence is the electronics and I had a Q switch added because although I almost always have it on I wanted the option of turning it off. It also has the narrower pick ups of an Essence or Europa and same fingerboard dimensions at the nut and 24th fret as my Europa with the same profile which is very comfortable and a satin finish on the back of the neck.. I also added the two purple heart stringers in the neck and the sustain block. SO if I just upgraded the electronics it would be fairly close to a S.C. It was built from the start to be a tenor bass. But your right. The Essence electronics in it sound great, in fact the bass sounds really good. Alot of fun to play too with the shorter neck and way lighter strings. Especially after playing my 35" 5 string Roscoe. So its not that the bass sounds bad that made me think of considering this change, its just that I thought I could make it better. I've had 3 Alembics built for me so I'm familiar with their basses and I don't know anyone in this area who has an Alembic to try that has signature or anniversary electronics to try their bass out. Thats why I figured I'd just ask the people who know, this club. Thanks for all the input from everyone. I haven't heard back from Mica yet on cost so no decision yet, but keep the idea's and suggestions coming, much appreciated. Willie | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 8246 Registered: 5-2002 |
Willie; if you haven't already, check this thread out. | ||
| hb3
Advanced Member Username: hb3 Post Number: 388 Registered: 2-2005 |
I've been using the Anniversary Electronics and while they can be made to sound very trebly, I don't find any shortage of low end at all. | ||
| terryc
Senior Member Username: terryc Post Number: 916 Registered: 11-2004 |
here's a question to coincide with willie's question. Do you all think that the Signature package(which I only know as my MK has them) tries to incorporate as much of the Series electronics but without the complexity and cost. It must be nice to have S2 electronics with Vari Q and individual vols etc but the Signature with it's pan pot(for me) is easy to use and still get an almost infinite array of tones. | ||
| keith_h
Senior Member Username: keith_h Post Number: 1313 Registered: 2-2005 |
I think all of the electronics go for that "Alembic sound". There is a definite difference between the Series and non-Series electronics to my ears. This is just my opinion but I think the single coil pickups of the Series instruments have a lot to do with this. As far as the pan versus separate volume controls I think that is down to a personal choice and that one is not better than another. Keith | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 1555 Registered: 6-2002 |
Willie, I think the signature setup is great, very flexible and very fast to use once you get to grips with the controls. The master volume and pan pot makes good sense and is just right for me and is more intuitive for my needs. I certainly think for live work if you need to make fast tonal changes it would be far easier than using a series bass. Jazzyvee | ||
| jacko
Senior Member Username: jacko Post Number: 2298 Registered: 10-2002 |
Having been able to do a direct comparison between my Signature and george's series, I think the difference can best be shown using a photographic analogy. Think of a really nice well taken photo, perfect colours, perfect composition etc, the kind of picture you'd hang on your wall. That's the signature. Add a polarising filter and while it's the same picture, everything is just that bit richer. That to me is the difference between sig and series. I'd also agree with jazzy that, for live playing, the signature (for me) is that much easier to work with although George would probably disagree having played his series for many years. I guess it's whatever you're used to. Graeme | ||
| georgie_boy
Senior Member Username: georgie_boy Post Number: 813 Registered: 8-2005 |
That about sums it up perfectly Graeme! | ||
| willie
Intermediate Member Username: willie Post Number: 132 Registered: 11-2003 |
Well thanks for all the insight everbody. I haven't heard back from Mica yet so still no decision. There has been some comparison between Signature and Series but how about the difference between Essence + Q switch and Signature sound. Thats the most likely change, if anything changes at all. Willie | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 8258 Registered: 5-2002 |
The Signature opens up more possibilities. For instance having the bridge filter open with Q switch on, and neck filter closed with Q switch off, is something you can't get from Essence electronics. That's a setting I use on my Series bass a lot. The opposite is also possible, closing down the filter on the bridge and opening up the neck filter; again something you can't get on the Essence. An alternative is to get an SF-2. This can add a lot to your tone, though not as immediate as having the controls on your bass. | ||
| willie
Intermediate Member Username: willie Post Number: 133 Registered: 11-2003 |
Thanks Dave I have an SF-2 in the effects loop of my FI-X. But what you said about Essence VS. Signature is what I like about the Signature. Having different Q setting and switches for each pick up would give this bass more flexibilty for tone shaping. But I must admit, this bass sounds great as it is. Unfortuately I have not heaed back from Mica about this to be able to consider the change. Is there a better way to get an estimate from her than just sending her an e-mail? | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 8265 Registered: 5-2002 |
You might try giving her a call, between maybe 10:00 and 4:00 pacific time. If it sounds great the way it is, and you've got an SF-2 in the rack, then you may want to just sit and think some more about what you want to accomplish. Between the pan, filter, and Q switch you can do a lot. Another consideration might be a three position Q switch to add a little more flexibility; maybe a 9-6-0. | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 1558 Registered: 6-2002 |
Dave I like that setup with my Signature too. Bridge open fully and Q-on and neck closed and Q-off. I then have the pan fully clockwise to neck pickup and then cracked just a tad anti-clockwise to get some edge to the tone off the bridge pickup. Gives me just what I want. Lots of bottom end but with a crispness to the tone. Jazzyvee | ||
| keith_h
Senior Member Username: keith_h Post Number: 1318 Registered: 2-2005 |
And just to show how different we all are. With my Brown Bass I like the neck filter turned back about 2/3 and the Q-switch on. I leave the bridge filter wide open and the Q-switch off. For soloing I open both filters and turn on both Q-switches. For my Orion with Essence electronics I generally leave the Q-switch off, filter almost full open and the pan slightly turned toward the bridge pickup. Keith |
