Alembic Guitars Club

Alembic products => Dreaming... for now => Topic started by: briant on July 12, 2008, 11:13:18 PM

Title: Alembic electronics in a Modulus Q4
Post by: briant on July 12, 2008, 11:13:18 PM

I know I should just be calling the Mothership about this but I'm hoping to get an early answer from all you people who know.
 
I have a Q4 and I'm wanting to replace the pickups and electronics with something like the Signature electronics.  So how accurate are my thoughts here?
 
I want the full-on Signature electronics sound all the time on this bass. I don't care about having filters with this bass.  I am thinking the Signature sound with no filters but add a bass and treble control.  Will that work?  Does the Signature electronics with no filter controls still sound basically like the Signature electronics with a filter cranked all the way to full?  And how close are the pickups to the EMG HZ humbuckers?  How much will I have to route out?
 
Inquiring minds want to know.

Title: Alembic electronics in a Modulus Q4
Post by: David Houck on July 13, 2008, 04:46:33 PM

I'm guessing here, but I think an AE-3 (http://www.alembic.com/prod/prices.html#ACTIVATORS) set of Activators will do what you are wanting.  Pickup sizes are here (http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=216).

Title: Alembic electronics in a Modulus Q4
Post by: tbrannon on July 13, 2008, 09:03:11 PM

I'm pretty sure that Kris (Keurosix) has an Activator equipped Modulus....

Title: Alembic electronics in a Modulus Q4
Post by: adriaan on July 14, 2008, 10:26:02 PM

The filter adds a little resonance peak at the cut-off point (3500Hz?) even before the Q boost. Without the filter, you don't have that specific peak. Not sure if you would completely miss having it.

Title: Alembic electronics in a Modulus Q4
Post by: David Houck on July 15, 2008, 05:58:43 PM

I didn't think about that Adriaan, but I think you're right; I do seem to recall reading that it's the filter circuitry that does produce a slight peak at the cutoff point even without the boost.  So there would be a difference in tone with no filter circuit.  Wide open would be 6000Hz.  So the difference in the lack of that peak would be noticed at the high end.

Title: Alembic electronics in a Modulus Q4
Post by: keurosix on July 23, 2008, 09:29:59 PM

Toby is correct, however, my Modulus has an unconventional setup: 3 pickups with 3 on/off switches, a vol and a filter with a 2 position Q switch. I believe it is one of my best sounding basses! Here she is 3rd from left:  
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/402/54021.jpg)
  Here's a solo shot:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/402/54022.jpg)
 I would think a "Signature setup" without filters would not be a "Signature setup". The filters are what makes the classic sound, even for the series circuits, which the signature design is following. However, adding Q switches will require drilling, and a finsih touchup or total refinish. Something to consider. I did not want to commit to that with mine, so I opted for a simple circuit to occupy all the original holes that came with my Modulus TBX Quantum 5. Kris