Alembic Guitars Club

Alembic products => Alembic Basses & Guitars => Topic started by: kimmo on May 10, 2012, 08:44:39 AM

Title: Adding a Q switch to an Essence
Post by: kimmo on May 10, 2012, 08:44:39 AM

So - I have been reading a lot about the q switch, and if I have understood what I've read, the q filter on my Essence is always on. Adding the switch will enable me to take away the boost at the top frequency, thereby getting less attack from the strings, right? I think this would benefit some of my playing.  
 
So - where can I get one? I tried emailing Alembic, but have had no answer. I guess they are really busy, which is good. Busy builders thrive, resulting in more great instruments.  
 
I can't find an ordering option for the q switch, and would like to know how to get one. I have a very qualified tech where I live, that can do the work, but would like to use original parts.
 
The Essence has the most wonderful sounds I've heard and has cured my longing for another graphite necked bass, but being able to reduce the attack would be great.  
 
Thanks!
 
Kim

Title: Adding a Q switch to an Essence
Post by: jbybj on May 10, 2012, 09:28:05 AM

I've always gotten what I needed by calling. Of course, I'm in the same time zone as Santa Rosa, so it's not too difficult for me, but if you can be awake during their business hours, call them.

Title: Adding a Q switch to an Essence
Post by: mica on May 10, 2012, 12:24:29 PM

Hi Kim,
 
I've checked all my incoming emails, including the Helpdesk, and I don't have a match for your email address in your profile in my filters or inbox. Weird.  
 
Anyway, you need a switch and a capacitor and instructions. It's actually pretty easy. I'll add the AE-2 Upgrade Kit to the Alembic online store later today and post a link here. That will probably be the easiest way for you to order.  
 
Glad to hear you are enjoying your Essence, I'm rather fond of mine too.

Title: Adding a Q switch to an Essence
Post by: tmoney61092 on May 10, 2012, 08:43:02 PM

i'm also interested in this upgrade for the Persuader I'll be getting next week :D
 
~Taylor

Title: Adding a Q switch to an Essence
Post by: kimmo on May 10, 2012, 11:19:18 PM

I'll get the kit once it is available in the store. Thank you very much for your help!
 
Kim
 
(Message edited by kimmo on May 10, 2012)

Title: Adding a Q switch to an Essence
Post by: mica on May 11, 2012, 11:01:55 AM

I couldn't find this assembly last night when I had planned to take the picture, so Tony gave one to my this morning. You can find the part in the store here:
http://alembic.stores.yahoo.net/qforac.html (http://alembic.stores.yahoo.net/qforac.html)

Title: Adding a Q switch to an Essence
Post by: mario_farufyno on May 11, 2012, 11:34:59 AM

Cool, and what about a 3 position switch option, Mica?

Title: Adding a Q switch to an Essence
Post by: kimmo on May 15, 2012, 07:57:17 AM

What is the middle position for?

Title: Adding a Q switch to an Essence
Post by: jazzyvee on May 15, 2012, 09:03:07 AM

With a 3 position switch there would be off and two top frequency positions. I'm not sure what the dB boost settings would be.
 
Jazzyvee

Title: Adding a Q switch to an Essence
Post by: jazzyvee on May 15, 2012, 09:04:46 AM

With a 3 position switch there would be off and two different dB gain settings for the remaining positions applied to the cut-off frequency set by the filter. I'm not are what those db settings would be though.
 
Jazzyvee

Title: Adding a Q switch to an Essence
Post by: adriaan on May 15, 2012, 09:41:53 AM

I think the regular 3-position is off/6/9 dB. The one on my Spoiler is off/3/6 dB, and it was added at the Mothership - can't tell you if it would be as simple a DIY job like adding a 2-position switch.
 
I usually have it off or at 3 dB, which is rich enough to my ears. But then I don't have to cut through wall-to-wall Marshall stacks . . .

Title: Adding a Q switch to an Essence
Post by: tmoney61092 on May 15, 2012, 10:35:38 PM

well luckily for me I only have 1 Marshall stack to compete with :p I'd still be interested in seeing if it could be a DIY job and how much it'd be for the 3 position, still highly considering the 2 way anyways
 
~Taylor

Title: Adding a Q switch to an Essence
Post by: kimmo on May 15, 2012, 11:44:22 PM

I think I'll be happy with the one listed in the store, so I'll go with that.
 
Kim

Title: Adding a Q switch to an Essence
Post by: mica on May 16, 2012, 12:41:23 PM

I added the 3-position option to the  order page (http://alembic.stores.yahoo.net/qforac.html).

Title: Adding a Q switch to an Essence
Post by: jazzyvee on May 16, 2012, 01:16:53 PM

Will that switch work with signature electronics Mica?
 
Jazzyvee

Title: Adding a Q switch to an Essence
Post by: mica on May 16, 2012, 02:03:49 PM

Yes, Signature electronics have Activator filter modules.

Title: Adding a Q switch to an Essence
Post by: flpete1uw on May 19, 2012, 08:35:19 AM

Well that explains a couple of things about my Persuader, the Q is always on! And able to get the famous WaaWaa. This Mod sounds intriguing because most of the time it?s off on my Distillate. Such is life a newbie Alembic owner. Now, drilling into this Beautiful Instrument? Any advise out there if I chose to go this route?

Title: Adding a Q switch to an Essence
Post by: mario_farufyno on May 21, 2012, 06:36:46 AM

Great Mica, time to gather some dimes!

Title: Adding a Q switch to an Essence
Post by: ojo on May 21, 2012, 06:55:44 AM

This is exactly what I'm looking for. I have an alembicized jazz bass with a fixed Q, and I wanted the flexibility to turn it on and off. Thanks Mica!
 
Joe

Title: Adding a Q switch to an Essence
Post by: briant on May 21, 2012, 12:06:02 PM

I can see myself opening the control cavity of my none-more-black Essence when I get home from work to see if there is room to stuff a 3-way switch into it.  It's already a Swiss Army Knife of tone.  Adding a 3-way would do nothing but good things.

Title: Adding a Q switch to an Essence
Post by: Bradley Young on May 21, 2012, 10:17:05 PM

Brian: none-more-black, you're killing me. lol.
 
I saw your 80's hair metal cover band flyer downtown, the things you do for art, man.

Title: Adding a Q switch to an Essence
Post by: kimmo on June 20, 2012, 05:35:32 AM

I am having a hard time deciding which to get. How much use is there in the 6db setting?

Title: Adding a Q switch to an Essence
Post by: David Houck on June 20, 2012, 12:51:19 PM

I would guess how much use you would get out of it would be dependent on how you play, the context in which you play, and how your rig is set up.
 
On my S2, I quite often make small adjustments to the CVQ and Filter on the neck pickup.  The way my rig is setup and the context in which I'm playing make these small changes very noticeable and valuable to me.  So I would tend to recommend a 3-way switch over a 2-way switch since it expands your pallet of sonic choices.  But that's just me; for others the 2-way switch does what they need.

Title: Adding a Q switch to an Essence
Post by: kimmo on June 21, 2012, 03:39:56 AM

Good point - there is hardly any reason to not go for the 3-way.

Title: Adding a Q switch to an Essence
Post by: jon_jackson on June 21, 2012, 05:08:13 AM

I have a three way on one of mine, but rarely use the 9db setting. Generally just the 6db.

Title: Adding a Q switch to an Essence
Post by: adriaan on June 21, 2012, 11:45:11 AM

I use the 3 dB setting a lot, and move to 6 dB when the strings start losing their brightness.

Title: Adding a Q switch to an Essence
Post by: flpete1uw on July 15, 2012, 06:55:48 PM

Curious if anybody has done this yet and how it worked out for them. The only thing holding me back is the thought of a drill bit entering my Bass. AAHhhhhh

Title: Adding a Q switch to an Essence
Post by: keith_h on July 16, 2012, 05:03:18 AM

I added a two position Q switch to my 5 string Orion shortly after I bought it. In addition to drilling the hole I had to counter sink the back side to reduce the thickness of the top veneer. I then touched up the shielding paint.  
 
Keith

Title: Adding a Q switch to an Essence
Post by: flpete1uw on July 16, 2012, 03:12:06 PM

Thanks Keith,
  I trust all went as planned and you were happy with the results. I'm a half a step from buying and installing one as well. (As soon as I get over the whole drill bit thing.) Where did you get the shielding paint? Or should I ask is there a recommended type?  
 
Peace
Pete

Title: Adding a Q switch to an Essence
Post by: keith_h on July 16, 2012, 03:52:33 PM

Pete,
Yes I am satisfied wit the results. I think the Q-switch makes a big difference over the always on without it.  
 
I got my shielding paint from a hardware engineering friend where I was working at the time. I used a nickel based paint. I know StewMac carries some but it is kind of expensive. You might be best trying a local electronics repair place to see if they will sell you a small amount. Depending upon your location you might not even need to touch it up. For me I live in a radio alley so need as much help as I can get to shield a particular station.  
 
Keith

Title: Adding a Q switch to an Essence
Post by: jazzyvee on January 12, 2013, 10:52:12 AM

I've recently got two of these for my sc sig bass and like the options I get from them. My sound is normally filter closed and q off on the neck and full open and q on for the bridge and use the pan to control my tone. Since the mod though it seemed like there was a bit more attack when the q switch was off. But after a few weeks I think I may be hearing things. Just put some new strings on this week and it's awesome. Pierre-Yves recommended some strings D'addario EPS 170m regular light pro steel strings which sound great, have slightly less tension than the alembics and easier to bend.
I a thinking of putting the standard q back in the neck position on this bass and using the 3 position in the bridge of my ?lan/Europa as I rarely use q on the neck pickups on my basses.
 
All in all I can highly recommend it.  
Jazzyvee