Author Topic: Electronics calibration (Read 295 times)

smokin_dave · « **on:** September 01, 2004, 08:41:12 PM »

I would like to know more about the process of calibrating Alembic eltronics.How is this done and whats involved?I keep seeing references to it and I'm just curious.Can you relate?

bob · « **Reply #1 on:** September 02, 2004, 12:01:04 AM »

Great question, by coincidence (prompted perhaps by reading recent posts) I've been kind of curious about this myself over the last few days.

More specifically, if you built two identical bases, same physical measurements, same woods, etc., would they end up being calibrated differently? I assume your parts tolerances are quite high, so it's a bit puzzling to me why calibration seems to be such a major endeavor.

Not asking for trade secrets, of course, just a little insight.

David Houck · « **Reply #2 on:** September 02, 2004, 07:38:05 AM »

Bob;

When each set of Series electronics is fired up for the first time, the moon's position relative to the earth, relative to the sun, relative to the center of our galaxy is unique. Thus, each set is calibrated differently.

Dave

adriaan · « **Reply #3 on:** September 02, 2004, 08:03:12 AM »

Dave,

More likely it's to do with the discovery of new Pauls within 30 lightyears of the rest of the pack.

Adriaan

David Houck · « **Reply #4 on:** September 02, 2004, 08:18:46 AM »

Another possibility.

When each Alembic owner calls the shop, their voice is recorded. The recording is then analyzed by a computer program that uses this unique voice print as a gateway to understanding each person's true nature. The electronics are then calibrated accordingly.

adriaan · « **Reply #5 on:** September 02, 2004, 08:23:45 AM »

As yet unsubstantiated, no less.

Fear not the intrafonous cagliorism.

David Houck · « **Reply #6 on:** September 02, 2004, 08:43:08 AM »

As the word Alembic means a still or apparatus for distillation, then the calibration process might have something to do with distillation; and perhaps alchemical distillation. Something cooked up from a recipe passed down through the generations, refined and purified; a few drops of which are soaked into the printed circuit boards.

adriaan · « **Reply #7 on:** September 02, 2004, 08:55:38 AM »

As Series indicates a declination of parentage, atavists unite to cast pints of bitter into the barracks of old.

811952 · « **Reply #8 on:** September 03, 2004, 12:39:37 PM »

As each fine instrument is unique in size, shape and form to some degree, the pint markings on each must be unique as well. While a pint may come up only to the tailpiece on one, it may reach as high as the hum-canceller on another. It's a variation on the Steinway used by P.D.Q. Bach...

mica · « **Reply #9 on:** September 03, 2004, 01:19:12 PM »

I'm not sure if I'll be in the right conversation here, but I'll try to address the calibration issue.

The calibration/upgrade only applies to Series I/II family electronics. It's a calibration on a new build, it's an upgrade on an older instrument. There is a revision of the PF-6B Series I/II electronics in the works, so probably by mid 2005 new instruments won't need to go through the procedure.

Here's the why on the procedure:

Series I and II instruments use single coil pickups. Our original design is quite effectve in eliminating low-frequency noise (60Hz hum). Recently high frequency noise sources and changes to radio broadcast requirements have introduced possible problems on these models made before 1999. If you play in a rural or undeveloped area, there will likely be few high frequency noise sources and you probably won't notice a problem. If you live in a city or travel to one to play, you'll notice the problem there. The symptoms that your Alembic needs upgrading are:

1. persistent high frequency noise
2. directional noise

Presently, the only remedy is to send the guitar or bass to us for an upgrade. There is a sliding scale of prices for this service, depending on the age of the instrument. Ron builds a high fequency noise cancelling network and prevents these signals from ever entering the instrument's signal path. It will not change the tone of the instrument at all, it merey removes the annoying noises. Instruments are quieter than when they were new after the upgrade.

We first try to use the original pickups unless they prove to be part of the source of the problem. For any parts that we need to replace we return the originals to you when we send back your instrument.

Ron has built a large coil for the purpose of testing the effectiveness of his modifications. He calls this the meanest place in the world for guitars. He makes it quiet in there, and it's quiet all over the world.

bassman10096 · « **Reply #10 on:** September 03, 2004, 02:22:05 PM »

I love the concept of there being a meanest place in the world for guitars.

David Houck · « **Reply #11 on:** September 03, 2004, 02:44:08 PM »

Thanks Mica!!

adriaan · « **Reply #12 on:** September 03, 2004, 02:51:57 PM »

Ah, finally it's all starting to make sense. Thank you Mica for calling the shots.

palembic · « **Reply #13 on:** September 04, 2004, 02:23:06 AM »

I didn't dare to mention it before but that thing happened 1 time on a gig with Bonnie. I took the DI line from the F1-X to the sound-engineer. There was a very high-frequency directional noise in the bass. I didn't understand what happened and was very embarrassed. The guy muted manually my bass between numbers.
So sending in for an Upgrade?

Yeah ...right ***sigh*** off we go with the nylon stockings to another bank.
Not possible the first years I am afraid!

Paul the bad one