Author Topic: Mica - question about a Spoiler (Read 277 times)

adriaan · « **on:** December 22, 2003, 11:44:53 AM »

Hi Mica,

The December Special I was thinking about is just a bit over budget for me at this point - I'd have to trade in my Epic, which I'd rather not do.

Another opportunity to widen my arsenal would be this 1988 Spoiler. I have three questions that you should be able to answer without the serial number (which I don't have).

Are those pickups similar to the MXYs on my Epic? Using the neck pickup only, it seemed to sound more agressive than what I was used to.

Second: is it easy to replace the pickup selector with a panpot? Is it just a matter of taking out the selector, putting in the panpot and matching the connectors?

Third: I didn't really test, but I think it's a two position Q-switch, 0 dB or 6 dB. I've also heard about 3 position switches (0, 3 and 6?) and was wondering if that's a DIY option as well?

Thanks!
Adriaan

adriaan · « **Reply #1 on:** December 23, 2003, 08:10:13 AM »

Hi Mica,

Just wondering if Gaia's thunderous lows reached as far as Santa Rosa this time? Hope everyone in the area is alright.

--- Well, it's definitely a Q switch. The spec sheet says something lie SB-II for electronics. A half-way position on the switch would be a plus.

I made a downpayment on the bass, and will be picking it up tomorrow ...

David Houck · « **Reply #2 on:** December 23, 2003, 08:52:47 AM »

I too have been watching the news about the earthquake and have been hoping none of our California members were affected.

Adriaan; while you are waiting for a response from Mica or Val I thought I might be a little help. On my '84 Spoiler the pickup selector is mounted on a printed circuit board with the filter control. Whether this circuit board can easily be replaced with something else, I don't know. The Q switch is probably a two position switch; and I believe the boost is 8 db. Unlike adding a two position Q switch to an Essence, the three position switch has not to date been a DIY option but a factory upgrade.

David Houck · « **Reply #3 on:** December 23, 2003, 08:59:40 AM »

I believe the settings on the three position switch are 0, 6, & 9 db.

adriaan · « **Reply #4 on:** December 23, 2003, 11:37:11 AM »

Thanks for the info, Dave.

It certainly has some great sounds without the boost, but with boost it's just a bit over the top to my ears. I'll have to open it up to see if they were using the same single circuit board in '88.

My father and brother are very good at building filters and pre-amps so perhaps it doesn't need to be a factory-upgrade (plus it would have to be sent halfway across the globe).

Amazing thing #1 - there was no hiss or anything eventhough all the stock active basses from Fender or Yamaha, some 15 years younger, were picking up all sorts of signals in the test booth (using the same amp). Amazing thing #2 - how well it responds to the slightest change in fingering.

Less nice: it is just a touch neck-heavy.

dannobasso · « **Reply #5 on:** December 23, 2003, 12:01:01 PM »

Personally, I love spoilers, I have 6 in all. 4,5,6 & 7 string models in various woods. I always play them with the q on, middle position and the knobs up full with the F1X with the bright & deep switches up and all eq at 12 o'clock. I have my latest Excel outfitted with 2 fatboys and spoiler electronics. I actually wanted to have the pan on myu SC deluxe changed to a 3 position switch like my Spoilers, but never got around to it. I'd never sell my spoilers.

adriaan · « **Reply #6 on:** December 23, 2003, 12:22:51 PM »

Hi Daniel,
With my Epic, the pan control is always just a bit away from the center detent, in either direction, so I feel a pan control would be a good addition for me.
Thanks!

mica · « **Reply #7 on:** December 23, 2003, 05:02:34 PM »

Just checked with dad on the pan pot. He said that you need to replace the pan pot and also a couple of resistors and caps. It's and advanced DIY, but it sounds like something you could handle.

SB-II is the Spoiler electronics on a printed circuit board. SB-I was a handwired board. Both have the same functionality: volume, pickup selector, filter, 2-position Q switch.

We've never made a Spoiler with a 3-position Q, so the answer is yes but we'd have to figure out the cap values first.

Glad you're enjoying the bass. We didn't even feel that last earthquake, but no doubt we'll have one before too long.

adriaan · « **Reply #8 on:** December 24, 2003, 12:20:08 AM »

Thanks, Mica.

I guess a CVQ pot would be even better than a 3-position Q switch, but I'd be very happy already with a decrease in the boost on the 2 position switch.

About replacing the pickup selector with a pan pot: can you actually fit a pan pot to the existing circuit board? I'm picking up the bass in an hour, so I'll take a look inside.

If you could send the technical details through e-mail that would be great; my e-mail address is in my profile.

Thank you in advance.

David Houck · « **Reply #9 on:** December 24, 2003, 07:13:52 AM »

Adriaan, congrats on the new bass! I really like my Spoiler a lot. As I understand it, the CVQ pot is only available with Series electronics. Let me know what you learn about the 3 position switch.

Enjoy.