Author Topic: Extremely boomy neck pickup on Orion with EMW electronics (Read 257 times)

mtjam · « **on:** April 19, 2012, 04:53:52 PM »

I just purchased a used Orion with East Meets West electronics. I love this bass, but I am having some problems with getting it to sound just right. My bass has a pan knob, and if I pan all the way for the neck pickup, it is extremely (and I mean extremely) loud, particularly on the G note. In comparison, the bridge pickup is not as loud. I played with the pickup heights and that seemed to help even the pickups' volume a bit, but I can't seem to get rid of that incredible loudness on the E string when I use the neck pickup only.

I guess what I am looking for is to have consistent, or close, volume from both pickups and not have the neck pickup be so loud. It is adjusted all the way down, and I can't really go lower with it.

I e-mailed Mica about it, and she wanted a pic of my electronics. I took a few, but they didn't turn out very well. Does anyone out there have a good pic of EMW electronics you could share here? Does anyone have any advice for me? Have you ever experienced similar problems?

Sorry for the long-winded post; I'm just eager to get this bass setup to sound as great as I know it can. Thanks!

mica · « **Reply #1 on:** April 19, 2012, 05:35:01 PM »

I have pictures of EMW electronics (I even have some in hand). I really need to see the electronics in your bass to see what is going on.

One thing that I didn't understand from your email is that one string was particularly loud. That usually doesn't make any sense, since the pickup can't even tell how many strings are on the bass. Unless one side of the pickup is MUCH closer to the strings, you really can't hear one particular string.

I also wanted to see your electronics to confirm if you were indeed using the pan control. For instance, the bass control also has a center detente, and if you push it all the way to the bass-boostiest position, it is rather, well, boomy.

To confirm you have identified the pan control, pan to one extreme, then tap each pickup lightly with something ferrous like a screwdriver. Only one should respond. If you hear both taps loud and clear, you need to find the pan control.

Hope this gets you started, and please report back what you find.

wishbass · « **Reply #2 on:** April 19, 2012, 05:51:24 PM »

Trim pots? I had a similer problem w/my Elan (p/j pups),but not on individual strings.

mica · « **Reply #3 on:** April 19, 2012, 06:02:21 PM »

Nope, I don't think so - because turning the volume control down on the outside would have the same impact as turning down the internal gain, and that will make no change in the tone.

BUT

There are 2 trimpots in EMW - but you need to only use one for gain. Usually (but I don't know if it's like this in yours) the signal goes through the filter control first, and that is the gain you use to control the maximum output level. The trimmer on the bass and treble module should be turned completely counterclockwise to unity gain. If you turn up this buffer amp, it will overload the system.

This is what I wanted to explain with pictures because I'm not sure I can do a very good job of it in words, but maybe it will help.

(Message edited by mica on April 19, 2012)

wishbass · « **Reply #4 on:** April 19, 2012, 06:05:43 PM »

Check,makes perfect sense m'lady!

mtjam · « **Reply #5 on:** April 19, 2012, 06:43:36 PM »

Problem solved, Mica! I sent you an e-mail. Thanks! : )

jacko · « **Reply #6 on:** April 20, 2012, 04:13:30 AM »

care to share your findings with the rest of us Rob?

Graeme

mtjam · « **Reply #7 on:** April 20, 2012, 08:37:53 AM »

Haha, no comment. We'll call it operator error and leave it at that. It's sort of like that moment when you think your guitar or amp doesn't work, but then you realize it's not plugged in. Now I understand why Lesh had something on his bass at one time to tell him what the knobs did. Boy, does my bass sound great now (on all settings!)! Enjoy your weekend, everybody!

hieronymous · « **Reply #8 on:** April 20, 2012, 04:35:38 PM »

Glad you got it sorted out - don't be embarrassed, when I had Alembic Activator pickups put in a P-Bass, it took me quite a while to figure out what the controls were!

mtjam · « **Reply #9 on:** April 20, 2012, 05:57:06 PM »

Thanks! I guess my brain has locked up lately trying to finish my grad class and the school year! My students are wound up, and so am I. I have a Distillate, too, and had no problem with those controls. It's all good now. I would have felt really stupid if I had done anything radical inside of the bass to rectify the problem. It's a good story to tell!

I bet those Activators sound great in a P!