Alembic Guitars Club

Alembic products => Dreaming... for now => Topic started by: robinc on May 10, 2008, 09:18:51 PM

Title: How's that Q-switch treatin' ya?
Post by: robinc on May 10, 2008, 09:18:51 PM

I'm wondering how all of you fine Alembic owners feel about the Q-switch with a few positions vs. a continuously variable one. Do you find the former of the two limiting?
 
 How much do you think it would run me to have the mothership install continuously variable switches in place of the other ones? Thanks,
-Robin

Title: How's that Q-switch treatin' ya?
Post by: rob_the_fiend on May 11, 2008, 04:00:39 AM

From what I understand, they only use the CVQ on series instrument. Maybe You can get them to make one with 1dB steps (0-15dB), total 16 steps.

Title: How's that Q-switch treatin' ya?
Post by: keurosix on May 11, 2008, 06:23:59 AM

Good question!
Robin, what model Alembic bass do you own?
CVQ pot is standard on Series 2. Series 1 has a three position Q switch. Most other models have a two position Q switch (3 position is special order), and some models have a fixed-Q with no switch (ex: Essence). Some models don't have the filter & Q at all. You would have to contact Alembic to see if they can add a CVQ to your specific circuit, and what would be the cost. Space inside the control will also determine if it is possible. I'm not sure if a CVQ can be added to a non-series instrument. I only have experience with switched Q circuits on my basses and the SF2 which has a CVQ (Damping Ratio). I prefer the switches because it limits the possibilities. Sometimes too much control can be hard to manage especially live on stage. However, for studio work I think I can see the advantage of the CVQ for greater flexibility.
Kris

Title: How's that Q-switch treatin' ya?
Post by: bassman10096 on May 11, 2008, 04:42:09 PM

I found the CVQ hard to take advantage of on my S2 -- too many options to relate to intuitively (Let's face it - with everything else I have to do on stage, I don't have the patience for subtlety.).  The two position Q's on my Brown Bass are far more useful because they limit me to a finite range of useful options.  Would 3 position switches be better?  The jury's still out on that.

Title: How's that Q-switch treatin' ya?
Post by: robinc on May 11, 2008, 07:21:31 PM

I found the CVQ hard to take advantage of...
 
Yeah, my thoughts exactly. As cool as a CVQ sounds, it seems like it could offer too many choices. I suppose it could be useful in a studio situation, but in that case you would probably have enough time to play with your amp or mess with the boards until you get the sound you want.

Title: How's that Q-switch treatin' ya?
Post by: adriaan on May 13, 2008, 02:30:13 AM

I had my Spoiler electronics modified a couple of years ago. The major thing for me was to have a blend pot instead of the pickup switch, but I also found the standard 8 dB setting far too harsh. Like Robin, I had the idea of a Q switch with 1 dB steps. Mica confirmed that they could make one, but it would have to go on the waiting list for Ron W's bench time. In the end, I decided on a 0/3/6 dB switch.
 
To my ears, the difference between the three settings is subtle but definitely noticeable. If I ever order a custom Alembic the Q switches will probably be for 0/3/6/9 dB. And if there's only a 3-position option, then 3/6/9.

Title: How's that Q-switch treatin' ya?
Post by: David Houck on May 13, 2008, 12:55:33 PM

CVQ is not available for non-series instruments.
 
In past discussions, some members have suggested that less than a 3db difference in positions is a bit insignificant.  I don't have an S2 (yet), so I don't know.  On my S1, I use all three positions (0-6-9) and find them very useful.  It's all very subjective and probably depends to some degree on your particular instrument and rig and the way you use the tone controls on both.

Title: How's that Q-switch treatin' ya?
Post by: briant on May 13, 2008, 06:13:01 PM

I have Series electronics in both my Alembics that have 2-position Q switches.  I use them a lot and don't find myself wanting more.  A CVQ would be a bit overwhelming me thinks - especially when trying to make fast tone changes on stage; which I do quite often.

Title: How's that Q-switch treatin' ya?
Post by: jazzyvee on May 17, 2008, 12:44:49 AM

id' be interested in a 3 position q-switch for my SC Deluxe and Europa. I wonder how much they would cost?
 
Jazzyvee

Title: How's that Q-switch treatin' ya?
Post by: jorge_s on May 22, 2008, 05:57:13 AM

I've nicknamed my SII the Kaleidoscope.  You never get the same combination twice.  It's not that bad actually but on my new guitar I am going with the SI electronics (3 position q switch)to be able to find the sounds quicker.

Title: How's that Q-switch treatin' ya?
Post by: David Houck on May 24, 2008, 04:51:07 PM

Jorge; I would think you could use that beautiful grain as indicators for setting the controls!

Title: How's that Q-switch treatin' ya?
Post by: terryc on May 26, 2008, 02:07:21 PM

Sometimes less is more, I remember Mark King saying that he justs turns everything to max on his Alembics so subtlety was an issue with him when he used his Series II basses back in the late 80's/early 90's.
I find the 2 position Q switch useful to boost the frequency when the guitarist goes into a solo or to give more 'meat' when playing a song which requires more bass.
The Q switch whether variable or fixed must be the most useful tool on Alembic instruments, one which is not on any other makers instruments.
In a nutshell I couldn't do without it!!!

Title: How's that Q-switch treatin' ya?
Post by: jorge_s on May 28, 2008, 06:03:43 AM

I agree.  The Q switch is like a little magic wand.  I've seen where Mica stresses that one can hear the effect of the Q more with the initial attack of the note rather that the sustain.  To my ears this really makes a difference.  When I am in the pocket locked with the drummer just a little movement of the Q is the difference between having that great piano Alembic attack and completely getting lost in the mix.  Finding the sweet spot can be tough because it changes from gig to gig.  Sometimes I think it changes from song to song.  When I find it though, that is when I think to myself: Yes! this is why I have an Alembic.

Title: How's that Q-switch treatin' ya?
Post by: robinc on May 30, 2008, 03:08:59 PM

so only the SI comes standard with a 3 position Q, correct?

Title: How's that Q-switch treatin' ya?
Post by: keith_h on May 30, 2008, 03:19:49 PM

Yes only the S1 comes standard with 3 position Q-switch. However it can be ordered on any bass with a filter and should be an easy retrofit to an existing bass. You can also get the Q-switch set up with boost levels other than the default 9db.  
 
Keith

Title: How's that Q-switch treatin' ya?
Post by: robinc on May 30, 2008, 03:28:16 PM

I believe I read something about that but now I can't quite remember what it said. What would the boosted levels be? And how would that work, is there a boost switch that you can flip?

Title: How's that Q-switch treatin' ya?
Post by: robinc on June 09, 2008, 10:28:02 PM

Would anyone be able to post a sound clip of the wah-wah sound that is supposed to be doable with a filter and Q? I would be very grateful!

Title: How's that Q-switch treatin' ya?
Post by: hieronymous on June 10, 2008, 05:06:03 AM

You can hear it near the end of this clip:
 
double doubleneck (http://hieronymous.us/music/double_doubleneck.mp3 target=_blank)
 
I had just received the bass when I recorded this track - I don't know what possessed me to do it! It's a Series I (doubleneck) and I probably had the Q switch on +6, though it could have been +9 since I was putting it through its paces.
 
No wahwah on this one, but I was changing the frequency position with each phrase - this one is a Spoiler which only has two positions, and it was definitely on +8:
 
circumambulate (http://hieronymous.us/music/circumambulate.mp3 target=_blank)
 
Hope this helps!

Title: How's that Q-switch treatin' ya?
Post by: robinc on June 10, 2008, 09:42:03 AM

Very nice! Is that all you? I dig the track, but I'm not sure I heard the wah-wah. I'm listening for an effect like a wah-wah peddle in reggae guitar, but that might not be what it sounds like... I'll have give that some more listening time.
 
the changes in tone are very distinguishable in the second track, though. I can't wait till I have one of my own to play with!!!!
 
thanks for the tracks, Harry.

Title: How's that Q-switch treatin' ya?
Post by: tbrannon on June 10, 2008, 10:46:56 AM

Robin,
 
I'll go home and quickly record the wah-wah effect + a few basic turns of the filter for you and send it via email as an MP3 if you'd like... is the email in your profile current?
 
Toby

Title: How's that Q-switch treatin' ya?
Post by: robinc on June 10, 2008, 12:32:13 PM

The email is good. Many thanks, Toby!

Title: How's that Q-switch treatin' ya?
Post by: tbrannon on June 10, 2008, 02:04:56 PM

No problem Robin,
 
I'll get that email off to you sometime late this evening.

Title: How's that Q-switch treatin' ya?
Post by: robinc on June 10, 2008, 02:36:16 PM

Awesome. Much appreciated.

Title: How's that Q-switch treatin' ya?
Post by: robinc on June 10, 2008, 06:54:15 PM

Toby, the clips were extremely helpful. Thanks again! :-)

Title: How's that Q-switch treatin' ya?
Post by: tbrannon on June 10, 2008, 08:17:45 PM

No problem Robin!