Author Topic: An interesting series Bass (Read 228 times)

jazzyvee · « **on:** April 03, 2011, 02:07:27 PM »

I found this bass on Harmony Central forums.
Is it an early version of Mica's Knobfest bass or is it a genuine bass with some serious electronics done to it

Jazzyvee

glocke · « **Reply #1 on:** April 03, 2011, 02:30:12 PM »

Used to be mine...Sweet bass. I think the current owner has a better understanding of how exactly the electronics function. Somewhere on here there is a thread of mine with a photo that has labels of how I thought the knobs functioned.

pace · « **Reply #2 on:** April 06, 2011, 11:02:30 AM »

It's basically a Series 1 1/2.

the neck pup has a regular 3way Q, and the bridge has a CVQ

There's some other stuff in there, but no Superfilter(s):

dfung60 · « **Reply #3 on:** April 06, 2011, 12:07:39 PM »

The picture of the cavity is pretty interesting. It's definitely more complicated that regular Series wiring (and that really says something). The two tops in the picture look like regular volume pots. There's definitely a regular Q switch and a CVQ pot in there as well (mini switch on the left, and the minipot that has Alembic stamped on the back).

But what look like the middle set of knobs actually appear to be connected to a set of switched. Were there two vari-tone type setups on this bass?

The mini-switch near the 1/4 jack looks like it might be a mono/stereo switch.

Any guesses as to what the mini-switch between the volume knobs does? The one under the ribbon cable here?

David Fung

skyboltone · « **Reply #4 on:** April 06, 2011, 12:35:14 PM »

It's interesting too from the standpoint of the almost to center top laminate. Can one reach both neck adjusting rods? Maybe it didn't have two rods but a single two way rod? I like it except for the lack of frets. With all those knobs on there it reminds me of some of my old Ham Radio equipment. Keeps you busy!

pace · « **Reply #5 on:** April 06, 2011, 01:46:35 PM »

David, you are correct~ the center knobs in each cluster are 4 position rotary switches, one position is wide open, the other three each have a different cap, much like a Vari-tone circuit.

The mini switch between the two volume knobs bypasses the volume knobs, and the one by the 1/4 jack is your mono/stereo.

Inside the cavity it looks like someone penciled in a mark for another potential knob just above the 5-pin jack~ I'm guessing for a LED dimmer.

Mica's file for the bass notes nothing about custom electronics, LEDs or a fretless board. The bridge & tailpiece were most likely swapped at the same time the master volume, CVQ, and rotaries were added.

Daniel, the bass has your typical 5-piece neck. The outer maple laminates match the body really well. Being a '75 model, this bass only has one truss rod.

I know there's at least three previous owners of this bass in the Club. I'd love to hear from anyone else who spent time with #241.

musashi · « **Reply #6 on:** April 06, 2011, 10:26:10 PM »

What's the original link on Harmony Central?

bob2 · « **Reply #7 on:** April 06, 2011, 10:51:46 PM »

here's glocke's pic of suspected controls: