Upgrade Orion/Epic electronics to filters

[doctorj]

Just wondering if anyone has upgraded their Orion or Epic from the bass & treble cut/boost to using filters? I'd love to maybe install a filter for each pickup and keep the pickup blend & volume. Is this possible or would Q switches also be needed?

[edwardofhuncote]

Sounds like you're talking about upgrading to Signature electronics doctorj, and there may be some space constraints with the size of the control cavity, depending on where the battery compartment is in your bass. The East-Meets-West package may be an alternative for you though, since it adds a filter into the mix for the Orion/Epic type controls.  
 
There's some discussion and a picture on this thread:  
 
http://club.alembic.com/Images/402/197665.html?1415757876
 
And welcome to the forum. If it has to do with an Alembic, these folks know.

[keith_h]

EMW would require a larger cavity than is standard in the Orion. This is what I have on my fretless Orion.
 
You can fit Essence electronics with a Q-switch in the cavity but you would have to make some type of plate to utilize/cover the extra hole. This is the electronics package that came on my 5-string Orion. I added the Q-switch after having the bass for a while.
 
I'm not sure about Signature electronics fitting or not. My Anniversary electronics bass has a larger cavity than the Orion but leaves plenty of open space. If you wanted Q-switches you would have to drill and I would think it would be a very tight fit.  
 
Personally if it were me I would look at Essence electronics with a Q-switch. Having the Q-switch allows to turn off the boost at the current filter frequency setting. It is something I would not go without again. You could also look into a 3 position switch which would give more subtle degrees of boost.

[adriaan]

fcspoiler changed his fretless from Essence electronics with a Q, to the full Signature package. For pictures of the cavity go  down this thread, that should give you some idea.
 
(Message edited by adriaan on January 03, 2015)

[keith_h]

Flip's is based on a Europa which has a larger cavity with separate battery compartment like I have on my EMW fretless. My fiver has a smaller cavity with battery in same compartment. Pics of my Orions are here. They will give an idea of the different cavity types.  
 
If I get some time and assuming Mica doesn't respond first I will haul out my fiver and Brown Bass to see if the parts would fit. Flip might be able to answer also as I recall he has/had a standard Orion 5 string fretless. After having been through the upgrade on the other bass he should have a good idea of the feasibility of installing Signature electronics.  
 
Keith
 
Keith

[FC Bass]

As you can see on the pics in the above linked topic, there's one filter with a modified output. Wouldn't fit with the standard (upright position) output.  
 
Currently I'm looking for a filter unit and would like to upgrade my 5 string fretless to  some kind of Signature EMW setup (double filter and bass/treble controls)
That will also require some excessive routing (+ new backplate) and I might add a separate battery compartment.
 
Btw: You can have any Filter based circuit without the Q switch, in that setup the Q is always on. With the Q switch you can turn the boost off (and have a mid setting with a 3 way switch)
 
For me the switch is more important on multiple filter setups for extra flexibility, on my single filter basses I always have the Q on.

[doctorj]

Thanks guys, that's very helpful. I hadn't thought of leaving the bass and treble controls in there like Keith's, more in line like Flips (both absolutely stunning, by the way) and losing the bass and treble but with a filter for each pickup, then running that into the pan and volume.
 
I hadn't heard of EMW before, I'll do some more trawling and read up.
 
Thanks again!
 
Justin

[edwardofhuncote]

I'll offer the same sage advice I received here not so long ago... spend some quality time on these pages:
 
 
 
Good luck, & enjoy.