Alembic Guitars Club

Alembic products => Owning an Alembic => Troubleshooting => Topic started by: Sparky on April 07, 2023, 12:11:33 PM

Title: swap electronics from standard to "Elan Plus" possible
Post by: Sparky on April 07, 2023, 12:11:33 PM: Hey there,
sometimes my filter pot creates an ugly "crack!" when turning to fully open.
any ideas how to fix it? The pot is completely closed and i don't know, if a special spray can help.

Another option I thought about:
Installing the plus electronics, to have the two 3-way-switches for treble and bass (yes, i need to drill the baby... :-\)
Is this possible?

Thank you in advance and
best wishes!
Title: Re: swap electronics from standard to "Elan Plus" possible
Post by: KR on April 07, 2023, 12:17:07 PM: No spraying to be done for those sealed pots. When they get noisy it's best to rotate the pot back and forth fully 50 to 100 rotations. This will fix the issue in most cases.
Title: Re: swap electronics from standard to "Elan Plus" possible
Post by: jazzyvee on April 07, 2023, 12:28:40 PM: Yes you can upgrade the electronics. What you are looking for is the europa/ rogue electronics. Call or email Mica and she will let you know what you need to do that on your elan. Mine has that setup.
Title: Re: swap electronics from standard to "Elan Plus" possible
Post by: Sparky on April 07, 2023, 01:03:32 PM: Thank you both for quick and helpful answers!
I'll send her a pm, little late in Germany now... :-/ :-)

@jazzyvee: yours is original, not added, right?
Can you help me with a pic where the switches are located on yours, please?
Title: Re: swap electronics from standard to "Elan Plus" possible
Post by: jazzyvee on April 07, 2023, 03:07:27 PM: Yes mine is original issue. in fact my elan is so bright i almost always use the treble control in cut position to calm it down.
Title: Re: swap electronics from standard to "Elan Plus" possible
Post by: Songdog on April 08, 2023, 08:54:16 AM: My custom (http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=27289.msg277322#msg277322) has the Europa/Rogue/Elan Plus electronics. Fantastic! The variety of sounds is mind-boggling. The bass and treble boost/flat/cut switches are a great complement to the filter (my bass is bright too, and I also use the treble cut a lot). The only thing I'd wish for would be a 3-position Q switch - if you're upgrading, consider that.
Title: Re: swap electronics from standard to "Elan Plus" possible
Post by: Sparky on April 08, 2023, 11:51:13 AM: Yes, FOH-killing brightness at least. Same cause, why I'm looking four the cut of treble and some boost in bass for some modern sounds.

@Jazzyvee: thank you for the ouc, totally different pattern than my old lady.

@songdog: thanks for your idea! what is the 3-step? +6 or +9db, right?
Title: Re: swap electronics from standard to "Elan Plus" possible
Post by: Songdog on April 08, 2023, 01:29:09 PM: I've seen the numbers somewhere around here, I don't remember though. I think they were "a little less" and "a little more" compared to the two-position switch's "on" position.
Title: Re: swap electronics from standard to "Elan Plus" possible
Post by: StephenR on April 08, 2023, 03:52:00 PM: I was never sure that I could see the utility if having a 2-position Q-switch when a three-position switch takes up the same amount of space and gives a wider tonal choice. The boost/cut toggle switches are quick and easy but for the most tonal flexibility the variable bass and treble controls are really impressive... recommended if you have enough cavity space. You are going to have to drill to add the boost/cut switches anyway so worth considering that option, too.

Good to hear how much you are enjoying your new bass! Play on...
Title: Re: swap electronics from standard to "Elan Plus" possible
Post by: rv_bass on April 09, 2023, 04:28:13 AM: Quote from: Sparky on April 08, 2023, 11:51:13 AM
Yes, FOH-killing brightness at least. Same cause, why I'm looking four the cut of treble and some boost in bass for some modern sounds.

@Jazzyvee: thank you for the ouc, totally different pattern than my old lady.

@songdog: thanks for your idea! what is the 3-step? +6 or +9db, right?

For a non-Series Q switch, looks like:

Two position = 0, 8
Three Position = 0,6,9

https://alembic.stores.yahoo.net/qforac.html

I have always replaced my two position Q switches with three position, favoring the middle 6 and using the 9 as an extra clarity boost and extended tonal variety (you can get some cool sounds manipulating the filter and Q).
Title: Re: swap electronics from standard to "Elan Plus" possible
Post by: Sparky on April 09, 2023, 06:29:31 AM: Thank you both for your help, I'll take into account after Mica answered to me on PM.
A good option.
Title: Re: swap electronics from standard to "Elan Plus" possible
Post by: adriaan on April 09, 2023, 08:13:29 AM: They can do 0/3/6 dB too. The 8 dB standard boost sounded a little too harsh to my ears, with a single filter. Not sure by how much I'm boosting at my favourite settings on the Series II, so YMMV.
Title: Re: swap electronics from standard to "Elan Plus" possible
Post by: edwardofhuncote on April 09, 2023, 10:13:19 AM: Both of my 5-strings have Q-switches with the 0-3-6 values. I liked it so well on my restored/upgraded Persuader that we included the feature in the Custom fretless companion bass that followed it. Highly recommended for subtlety in Q-ness! ;D
Title: Re: swap electronics from standard to "Elan Plus" possible
Post by: jon_jackson on April 10, 2023, 06:29:44 AM: I had 0-3-6 Q-switches installed on my Dragon Wing build and recently ordered a set of 0-3-6 switches to replace the standard set on my SC.
Title: Re: swap electronics from standard to "Elan Plus" possible
Post by: Sparky on April 10, 2023, 11:08:34 AM: Thank you for your experience shared! 3 and 6 seems to be enough for me too. So, an easy mod. - to be made. 8)