Author Topic: Preset tones for Series basses? (Read 464 times)

altgrendel · « **on:** February 05, 2009, 08:29:27 AM »

I was wondering if anyone knows how difficult it would be to have one or two presets for each pickup on a Series bass. The idea is kind of like that dragon bass Starburst, but with a two or three position switch that would allow you to change between preset 1, 2, and the knobs.

The reason I was thinking about this were some threads where someone thought there was too much tweaking to mod your sound live. You could have to basic tones setup and still have the option to tweak during a solo and quick change back to where you were without having to go to the footpedals or the amp.

FC Bass · « **Reply #1 on:** February 05, 2009, 10:09:11 AM »

I think I also mentioned something like this a while ago...
Something like a Series 1 + 2 with a 4 position switch
Position 1: off, position 2: 6dB, position 3: 9dB, position 4: CVQ

adriaan · « **Reply #2 on:** February 05, 2009, 11:03:32 AM »

Flip, I think the idea is to have presets for the combined settings of filter pots, volume pots and Q switches, so you can switch between different presets, instead of having to change all those controls one by one --- plus the option to use the normal controls.

keith_h · « **Reply #3 on:** February 05, 2009, 02:20:44 PM »

How about something like the quick change switches on the Europa electronics?

Keith

altgrendel · « **Reply #4 on:** February 06, 2009, 06:00:34 AM »

adriaan has the idea.

I don't think Europa electronics would work that way. Can the quick tone switches be adjusted by the end user?

(Message edited by AltGrendel on February 06, 2009)

keith_h · « **Reply #5 on:** February 07, 2009, 07:22:38 AM »

No they are preset. Basically they are bass and treble boost/flat/cut switches. I brought them up as I found them quite versatile and easier to use than the filter for quick changes. I was just throwing them out there as an idea that might work for you.

Keith

David Houck · « **Reply #6 on:** February 08, 2009, 04:18:09 PM »

My guess is that it could be done. For instance I'm guessing it would be possible to have a circuit built that would set the low pass filter at 3kHz and the Q at 6db, and a second circuit for 2kHz and 3db, and then a switch position to choose the normal circuit. I'm guessing that because of the bench time involved, it would not be inexpensive. I'm also thinking that it might be impractical, because the sweet spot that you like today might change a few months from now, especially if you change amps or speaker cabs. And if you change guitar players, the tone that cuts through against a strat might not be the same tone that cuts through against an LP. And if this mod were for a new instrument order, you wouldn't know where the sweet spot was to begin with. To make it user variable, you would probably have to have an extra set of low pass filters and CVQs for each switch setting.

jseitang · « **Reply #7 on:** February 10, 2009, 11:36:02 PM »

it would be interesting to have that electronic set p, but a moveable CVQ for the whole electronic within the guitar... sort of like a mass shift within the electronics.

briant · « **Reply #8 on:** February 11, 2009, 01:27:55 AM »

Or you could just spend some quality time with your new instrument and figure out where to set the knobs by yourself.

Don't mean to be brutal... but I am. I only have signature electronics on my basses and I know roughly where to twist the knobs quickly to make a certain sound happen. All it takes is a little bit of time.

altgrendel · « **Reply #9 on:** February 13, 2009, 07:18:23 AM »

Well, yes, that's true.

But the whole point of this topic is discussion of possibilities.

Is it practical? Probably not. I doubt that the Mothership would entertain actually doing this. But I though it was a cool idea worthy of discussion.

Sorry you don't think so.

hieronymous · « **Reply #10 on:** February 13, 2009, 11:08:50 AM »

I still think it would be cool for Alembic to work with Moog and their RAC (real analog control) technology - it's used in their recent Little Phatty synth. It's hard to find a good succinct description, but basically the parameters can be controlled or preset by MIDI, but the knobs themselves are analog. If that makes any sense!