Alembic Guitars Club

Connecting => Miscellaneous => Topic started by: Deltaphoenix on September 18, 2019, 12:04:11 PM

Title: Is it Possible? 2 Alembic Activator Preamps in 1 Bass?
Post by: Deltaphoenix on September 18, 2019, 12:04:11 PM

Hi All,

I recently purchased a Jery Drozd Obsession Legend 4 string Fretless Bass. I really like this bass a lot - it plays well, has a nice tone except for one issue: the Bartolini EZQ preamp is pretty noisy. The EZQ is no Alembic preamp but I could live with it if it wasn't noisy.
 
The bass has 5 knobs and 2 switches, I am pretty sure it would drive me nuts to have any dummy controls.

My ideal situation would be something like Signature Series +EMW:
stacked volume/blend pot
Mag Filter Cutoff
Mag Filter Q
Piezo Filter Cutoff
Piezo filter Q
Bass Boost/nul/cut switch
Treble Boost/null/cut switch

I would be cool if in order to make this work I had to use a stereo output jack (I have a Series 1 bass so I have implemented stereo in my bass rig).

I did email Alembic but does anyone know if this can or can't be done?
If not, any other ideas? ACG EQ01? Or?

Thanks,
Dustin

Title: Re: Is it Possible? 2 Alembic Activator Preamps in 1 Bass?
Post by: Deltaphoenix on September 18, 2019, 12:09:32 PM

Also, alternatively - I could live with a control set-up like this:
Blend Pot
Mag Volume
Mag Cutoff
Q switch
Piezo Volume
Piezo Cutoff
Q switch

Title: Re: Is it Possible? 2 Alembic Activator Preamps in 1 Bass?
Post by: xlrogue6 on September 19, 2019, 10:06:48 AM

The piezo won't work with Activators--it needs a very high impedance input. Also, given the sonic profile of piezos, connecting one to a Q filter with the boost engaged would slice the top of your head clean off.

Title: Re: Is it Possible? 2 Alembic Activator Preamps in 1 Bass?
Post by: Deltaphoenix on September 19, 2019, 11:53:54 AM

Thanks for clearing that up!

Alan from ACG said that his EQ01 would work fine with piezos, guess I will look closer at that route.

In relaity, this isn't some emergency that makes the bass unusable - it is really noisy when changing settings. I am going to take a look at the preamp and make sure everythin glooks good - maybe a bit of grounding will clear the issue up.

Title: Re: Is it Possible? 2 Alembic Activator Preamps in 1 Bass?
Post by: lbpesq on September 20, 2019, 12:19:37 AM

My “Ferlembic”, modified Fernandes Masterhand, linked below, has three Alembic pickups and RMC piezo bridge saddles.  I have a knob to pan between the Alembics and the piezos.  Both go through the Alembic electronics - volume, filter, 3-way Q.

Bill, tgo

http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=20043.msg205426#msg205426 (http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=20043.msg205426#msg205426)