Alembic Guitars Club

Alembic products => Owning an Alembic => Troubleshooting => Topic started by: lvmax on July 10, 2017, 01:12:00 AM

Title: Increase output of Alembic spoiler
Post by: lvmax on July 10, 2017, 01:12:00 AM
Hello,

I would like to know if there is a way to increase the output of my Alembic Spoiler.
Sound is good, but I have to turn the gain knob of the amplifier to around 7/8 out of 10 to have the "overload" led start blinking. The blue pots are fully turned to the right and battery is new. Compare to my other bass, the "overload" led starts blinking at 4/5.

Thanks for your help.

Laurent
Title: Re: Increase output of Alembic spoiler
Post by: jazzyvee on July 10, 2017, 01:31:10 AM
Have you looked at the pickup height? That might be something to consider.
http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=20803 (http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=20803)
Title: Re: Increase output of Alembic spoiler
Post by: edwardofhuncote on July 10, 2017, 03:42:34 AM
Try that^ first.   ;)

There is a thread here somewhere, on a mod for increasing output of Spoiler or Distillate models... it's a tricky process, and not advised for the inexperienced, but from what I hear - quite effective. I'll look for it.

*not sure if it's the exact same, but here's the one on increasing output of a Distillate: http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=5165

**another, still Distillate: http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=21925.0
Title: Re: Increase output of Alembic spoiler
Post by: haircuttingcowboy on July 10, 2017, 08:05:08 AM
May seem counter intuitive, but to explain:

 Increasing the resistance in the signal chain reduces signal loss to ground.

Not sure what the resistance of the pots are. No matter, the circuit is designed to use a particular value. Adding the 2.7K resistors to each pot, increases resistance and keeps the signal hotter when it gets to the hot side of the output (input is not really the correct descriptive word) jack of the guitar.
Title: Re: Increase output of Alembic spoiler
Post by: gearhed289 on July 10, 2017, 09:05:12 AM
That second link is a thread about my Distillate. As you can see, I'm very happy with the results! Hope you can do this to your Spoiler.
Title: Re: Increase output of Alembic spoiler
Post by: adriaan on July 10, 2017, 09:34:36 AM
Spoilers and Distillates do not have the same electronics (as a rule). So I would be hesitant to apply the same modification, without confirmation from the Mothership.
Title: Re: Increase output of Alembic spoiler
Post by: edwardofhuncote on July 10, 2017, 10:13:37 AM
Quote from: adriaan on July 10, 2017, 09:34:36 AM
Spoilers and Distillates do not have the same electronics (as a rule). So I would be hesitant to apply the same modification, without confirmation from the Mothership.

Definitely ^

I can't find it to save my life, but somewhere in here, Mica talks about Spoiler/Distillate preamps being of similar design. I had inquired about replacing the standard 2-position Q-switch on my Distillate with a 3-position... was how it came up Spoiler and Distillate boards were 'related'. I may be totally mis-remembering some details, but I do remember her saying it was a fairly delicate procedure for those two, specifically.

Maybe she'll chime in with the skinny after while... :D

I bet FC Bass knows too.   ;)
Title: Re: Increase output of Alembic spoiler
Post by: gearhed289 on July 11, 2017, 07:15:40 AM
Functionally speaking, the only difference is the deletion of the bass and treble cut/flat/boost switches on the Spoiler. Electronically speaking, I have no idea how similar or not they are, but it seems like there might be hope.