New Alembic Owner! Question about 2008 Rogue electronics

[Alembic AZ]

I just purchased this bass. “Behind Every Note”. It’s in the custom section on Alembic.com.
  http://www.alembic.com/info/fc_ben.html.
You may need to copy and paste the link.  I love the bass but am not sure exactly what the electronics do.  The lowest toggle is for the side LED’s the next one up doesn’t seem to do anything, the top 2 are 3 way toggles.  The top seems to be the pick up selector.  As for the knobs the closest is the master volume and the other two seem to be filters but not sure how they are working.  I am able to get the sound I am looking for plus a whole array of others but I’d still like to know what they are.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[JimmyJ]

Wow, that's a beauty and a monster of a bass.  Congratulations and welcome to the club.  Info on the "Rogue" and "Europa" electronics is here:
https://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=238.0

Enjoy that thing!
Jimmy J

[hammer]

If your bass has “typical” Rogue electronics (keeping in mind nothing Alembic makes is typical and while your bass might have a Rogue body it doesn’t necessarily mean it has Rogue/Europa electronics) you’ll have three knobs one each for volume, pan (adjustment for more or less bridge/neck PU) and filter which attenuates frequencies. Think of the latter as operating as a low pass filter. At one extreme (I believe counter clockwise on most basses) everything below 350 hz is let through (think mellow/basses tone) and everything above is shut off. As you turn the control clockwise the tone becomes more trebly because more of the higher frequencies are allowed to pass through the filter. The switches add an accent immediately after you pluck a note" or a boost. Some basses have 2 (flat and 8 db boost) and others 3 position switches (flat, 6db, or 9db).
[/size]
[/size]Congrats on your new bass…enjoy

[pauldo]

Thomas,
Welcome to the camp!  You really jumped into it with both feet,  what a beautiful bass.  I know nothing about those electronics but will offer this (assuming it is you first Alembic).   

These are nothing like anything you played before. Design and function are Master level, meaning that nuances are magnified.   Everything from picking/plucking style, “fretting” pressure, position of plucking hand, and the subtlest of knob turns will result in significant tonal variation. 

Keep asking questions and also approach it with a fresh mind… this is all completely new.  Explore and enjoy.

[Alembic AZ]

Thank you everyone!  Jimmy, your link to the photo of the rogue electronics is extremely helpful! Thank you! 

Yes, Pauldo, I really did jump in with both feet. After I decided I was going to pull the trigger and buy the bass of my dreams, an Alembic, I was trying to decide between a few basses.  I play upright and mostly jazz and have been playing fretless for over 40 years but am aware a fretted instrument is good to have.  I was trying to decide between a few basses so I figured I would go all out and get a series 2.  Mind you, I have never played an Alembic and i have been playing bass for over 50 years!  So I decided on an “86 series 2 that is in mint condition, like it has never been played other than one ding…this bass is incredible and has exceeded any and all expectations, but I couldn’t get this six string fretless I had seen for sale out of my head.  I love a six string bass and have been playing one for over 30 years..so I bought it as well!  I received the Series 2 on Tuesday and the fretless on Thursday!  Needless to say this has certainly been one of the most amazing weeks of my life!  The series 2 is like a force of nature and unlike any bass i have ever touched in my 50+ years of playing!  I love it!  But I can see this 6 string fretless becoming my main ax.  It too is unlike any bass I have ever played. It’s like frickin’ buttah!  I must say I am in bass heaven! 

Quick back story, I just got married 2 months ago at 63 years old. My new wife was freaked that i would spend 10,000.00+ on a bass after I already have about 9, so I didn’t tell her for a few days that I bought another one…she’s cool, doesn’t understand but hasn’t left me yet.  I will be selling a Jeep to help pay for this little shopping spree.  Well worth it!  I wish I could post some pictures but I guess the files are too big.  The Series 2 is absolutely amazing and gorgeous.  You can see the fretless by clicking the link in my original post.  Thanks everyone!  Glad to be here!🙏✌️

[Alembic AZ]

Can anyone be a bit more specific of what the “Q” toggle is supposed to be doing on the Rogue?  I can hear the difference using the “CVQ” on my series 2 but not sure what I should be hearing with the toggle on my rogue…TIA

[rv_bass]

Congratulations, beautiful bass! 

[rv_bass]

Can anyone be a bit more specific of what the “Q” toggle is supposed to be doing on the Rogue?  I can hear the difference using the “CVQ” on my series 2 but not sure what I should be hearing with the toggle on my rogue…TIA

The Q switch on a Rogue provides a boost at the point of attack at the upper threshold of where your low pass filter is set.

If you have a two position Q switch you have either 0:9 or 0/6/9 boost for three position Q switch (I think it is also available with 0/3/6 db three position Q switch.

[Alembic AZ]

Thank you rv_bass!  I found a description in another thread on the Q switch for a signature bass.  It is very subtle on my rogue.  I believe because it’s a fretless.  The attack is with string on wood as opposed to string on metal as with a fret.  I can hear it but again very subtle.  IAM amazed at the tones I can get out of this baby!  Now I just need to decide which is me.  I like a lot of them!  Thanks again for your reply!

[pauldo]

<snip>
I must say I am in bass heaven! 
<snip>
Thanks everyone!  Glad to be here!🙏✌️