Quote from: gregduboc on July 27, 2026, 07:16:14 AM

Quote from: Barend on July 25, 2026, 11:01:45 PMAmazing top!

What are your thoughts on pan/master volume vs volume for both pickups? Is there a difference in sound or is it just more practical?

I actually really like this configuration. Makes it very easy for quick on-the-fly adjustments.
I'm a big fan of having a Master Volume knob, I always like to cut the volume when I'm not playing and a Master knob makes it much easier for my muscle memory.

This configuration doesn't allow a super fine adjustment as having the two volumes separate... but for me it's more than enough.

Thanks. I am unsure what you can do more with separate volumes for each pickup as opposed to a pan knob?

Quote from: Barend on July 30, 2026, 12:46:56 AMThanks. I am unsure what you can do more with separate volumes for each pickup as opposed to a pan knob?

With a pan control, you are mixing to add up to 100%. You can have 100% + 0%, 90% + 10%, 50% + 50%, etc. 

With 2 volumes, you can mix any amount. You can have 100% + 10%, 75% + 40%, 75% + 41%. I think you get the idea here. 

But then you want the master volume to preserve the mix you carefully dialed in. 

Quote from: mica on July 31, 2026, 11:48:16 AM

Quote from: Barend on July 30, 2026, 12:46:56 AMThanks. I am unsure what you can do more with separate volumes for each pickup as opposed to a pan knob?

With a pan control, you are mixing to add up to 100%. You can have 100% + 0%, 90% + 10%, 50% + 50%, etc.

With 2 volumes, you can mix any amount. You can have 100% + 10%, 75% + 40%, 75% + 41%. I think you get the idea here.

But then you want the master volume to preserve the mix you carefully dialed in.

So the summed pickup signal from the 2 volumes is potentially twice as hot as the blended pickup signal from the pan?

Quote from: mica on July 31, 2026, 11:48:16 AM

Quote from: Barend on July 30, 2026, 12:46:56 AMThanks. I am unsure what you can do more with separate volumes for each pickup as opposed to a pan knob?

With a pan control, you are mixing to add up to 100%. You can have 100% + 0%, 90% + 10%, 50% + 50%, etc.

With 2 volumes, you can mix any amount. You can have 100% + 10%, 75% + 40%, 75% + 41%. I think you get the idea here.

But then you want the master volume to preserve the mix you carefully dialed in.

Thanks Mica!
It's clear to me now in theory. But it is still unclear to me what exactly this does to the sound.

My understanding would be like this for the two volumes.
Think of each pickup having it's own channel in a 2 channel mixer.
You can set the tone of each channel using the filter, then with the volume you can decide how much of each tone is mixed together to set the overall tone at the output.

Quote from: jazzyvee on August 01, 2026, 01:21:59 AMMy understanding would be like this for the two volumes.
Think of each pickup having it's own channel in a 2 channel mixer.
You can set the tone of each channel using the filter, then with the volume you can decide how much of each tone is mixed together to set the overall tone at the output.

Thanks. But still don't see how that differs from a pan knob. You can do the same thing with a pan knob. Most basses I have have a pan knob. Two of then having two separate volumes. My Alembic EvH and a jazz bass.

I can see the advantage of the two volumes over the pan knob though if you have a stereo output with a pick up selector, like the series 1. But if you just play mono I don't see any advantage or disadvantage. But just trying to understand.

How about this: In mono with a pan pot you can adjust your pickup balance on the fly without affecting the overall volume. As in, if you need a suddenly bright sound for a musical passage you can pan over to the bridge pickup and without losing output level. With individual controls, suddenly turning down the neck pickup would substantially reduce your volume.

You're right that in stereo it might not be as useful although I'm sure there are some creative spins on that too.

Jimmy J

Quote from: JimmyJ on August 01, 2026, 06:24:01 PMHow about this: In mono with a pan pot you can adjust your pickup balance on the fly without affecting the overall volume. As in, if you need a suddenly bright sound for a musical passage you can pan over to the bridge pickup and without losing output level. With individual controls, suddenly turning down the neck pickup would substantially reduce your volume.

You're right that in stereo it might not be as useful although I'm sure there are some creative spins on that too.

Jimmy J

Yes that makes sense. But that actually is an advantage of a pan knob. Yet most people here seem to prefer two volumes knobs or say it is better. Maybe it's a more 'pure' sound?

Neither one is better than the other, it's whatever YOU prefer. 

The traditional design since the beginning of Alembic, likely based on all electric guitars at that time, was two individual volume controls.  I don't think the pan pot option appeared until many years later.  And maybe only when active electronics became more popular.  Anybody know of any passive instruments with pan pots?  Seems like that would load the pickups in a weird way...

But it's all up to you which you might prefer.  Alembic can build whatever you dream up! 

Jimmy J

Quote from: JimmyJ on August 02, 2026, 07:33:53 AMNeither one is better than the other, it's whatever YOU prefer. 

The traditional design since the beginning of Alembic, likely based on all electric guitars at that time, was two individual volume controls.  I don't think the pan pot option appeared until many years later.  And maybe only when active electronics became more popular.  Anybody know of any passive instruments with pan pots?  Seems like that would load the pickups in a weird way...

But it's all up to you which you might prefer.  Alembic can build whatever you dream up! 

Jimmy J

I have a Yamaha RBX60 bass; P-J p/ups, passive with V-P-T.
Being a guitarist (as much I'm anything; even saying that's a big stretch) I don't play it much, but it works just fine, and I like it.
I'm sure there are others, but I couldn't name them.

Peter

[Discussion split off from this Showcase topic.]

Agree that a master volume vs pan pot is a personal choice and playing style and how frequently you alter your tone on the fly would affect that choice. Cosmetics comes into play, too, especially if you prefer the look of minimalistic controls.

I prefer having two volume pots and a master volume on my basses. If you look at Mica's explanation of how both choices work it seems clear to me that the pan-pot option is slightly limiting tonally.

Here is why I see it that way... say you really like the sound of the neck pickup at full volume and just want the bridge pickup to contribute a bit more high end so you don't have to make adjustments at the amp. If you add 10-20% bridge pickup the tone will be brighter but the neck pickups tone/volume will not change and I can still turn up or down using the master volume. When I play a bass with a pan pot and try to do the same thing by panning slightly to the bridge pickup to add treble it always changes the output and tone of the neck pickup slightly, too. I can hear and prefer the sound of adding 10-20% of the bridge/treble pickup for more high end response and high-mids punch to subtracting 10-20% of the sound of the neck pickup and losing some of the tone that provides. The difference can be subtle, but real, even with mono-output. With stereo it is more pronounced.

On a related note, after having a Series I for years I came to the realization that I do not care for two volume controls and no master volume. The Alembic electronics are sensitive enough that it is pretty much impossible without a volume pedal or master volume to increase or decrease the output volume on the fly without loosing the tonal balance between the pickups. Adding a master volume to my Series I made it way more user friendly and enabled me to start taking it out to gigs regularly again, wish I hadn't waited 30 years to do so. I don't use effects pedals and dislike the clutter a pedal-board brings to the stage so I didn't want to use a volume-pedal for the same reason.

Barend: You need to come over here in the north and check out my Elan.
It has both a pan pot an pickup selector, config can easily be changed by switching the pickup leads. Might be a nice subject for a new vid :-)
I might even be willing to lend it out to you for a while, it's currently being unplayed (since I got the SII) and it would be great to see a vid with a capable player like you featuring this bass! :-)


It is a 5 string though... :-)

QuoteI prefer having two volume pots and a master volume on my basses. If you

hwat he said.  unfortunately, i have only 1 bass that does this and lately it's been getting difficult to do long shows with.  i always drive with the filters wide open and use the pan pots on the mono basses as my tone control.  kinda the same thing on the SII except i can juggle the pickup volumes for tone and use thte master to even it out.  either way, it all comes out unmistakably alembic.  at least to me.  ymmv

I've always been a fan of a master volume and a blend knob, that way you can solo one pickup and blend in the other up to 50/50, which is a little bit different than the pan.