Author Topic: Pluto electronics (Read 404 times)

sparechaynge · « **on:** December 31, 2010, 04:23:11 PM »

Hey all,
I have noticed a lot of talk about pluto electronics but I can't seem to find very much information about them. I know that Casady and Lesh used them on some gear, but what happened to the company that the internet has no info of it ever existing?

811952 · « **Reply #1 on:** January 01, 2011, 03:08:29 PM »

Isn't Pluto Electronics simply what they called the superfilters built into those instruments at the time?

John

jagerphan84 · « **Reply #2 on:** January 01, 2011, 04:18:13 PM »

IIRC, Pluto Electronics were made by George Mundy.

elwoodblue · « **Reply #3 on:** January 01, 2011, 04:29:22 PM »

Here's a pic of a filterbank that was up for auction a while ago:

sonicus · « **Reply #4 on:** January 01, 2011, 06:14:06 PM »

Mr.George Mundy installed Pluto Filters into my Old Guild Starfire Bass back in the mid 1970's. In the pedal form they were controlled by a dual action pedal. Here is a link to my Old Bass;
http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=8984.msg105586#msg105586

They are a variation of a State Variable Filter

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_variable_filter

In my experience the Alembic SF-2 is the most musically desirable variation of such a circuit design.

sonicus · « **Reply #5 on:** January 01, 2011, 06:22:06 PM »

They were not in production long and have not been as far as I know for aprox, over 3 decades . George was very cool when he installed them in my Bass at the time considering I was the Kid with a million questions , LOL _____!

sonicus · « **Reply #6 on:** January 01, 2011, 07:12:12 PM »

We had this topic here not that long ago;
http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=11687

elwoodblue · « **Reply #7 on:** January 27, 2011, 11:13:56 PM »

Here's a Pluto Dual Filter with foot pedal on ebay.

sonicus · « **Reply #8 on:** January 28, 2011, 12:31:20 AM »

That it it. I remember when Mr. Mundy Let me try one out . It was fun.
George was cool to let me check it out over 30 years ago ! It was quite a novel device then !
As far as this current eBay auction goes with the bidding starting @ $3500 ______ ; I would much rather have 2 brand new ALEMBIC SF-2 units for that kind of money, here and now . I am having lots of fun with my SF-2 connected directly after the DS-5R in stereo then going into an F-2B then to my one of my Crest power amps. A great set up for any Series I & Series II or other stereo out instrument .I also had an F1-X connected from the mono out of the F-2B as part of an experiment with separate overdrive and auxiliary biamp with overdrive experiments, FUN ! I will be happy when I will have an IN-2 so I can provide a dry signal feed at the beginning of the signal path instead using my racked direct box.

Sonic Regards ______

sparechaynge · « **Reply #9 on:** January 29, 2011, 08:50:30 AM »

Wow. this guy must be pretty down-and-out to sell something as rare and awesome as this.

Interesting thought Sonicus, I was hesitant to jump to the SF-2 as a next best thing replacement for Pluto gear, but it seems like you favor the SF-2 as being better than the Pluto. Any specific reason for this, or is it just personal preference?

sonicus · « **Reply #10 on:** January 29, 2011, 10:00:12 AM »

sparechaynge, __________ I don't think he has to be down and out at all ! I think that he is aware that there is someone out there that will buy it for that price because of its rarity, there are not many of these around . Will you be able to have any proprietary work done on it ? perhaps not! The Pluto Circuits in MY Bass were potted in epoxy . Consider that this Pluto Pedal is over 30 years old! There is NO way that it can be considered as the Next best thing It was however FUN TO PLAY WITH ! The SF-2 is available now and in production now and is the ONLY product currently available that I know of that can do what it does . Alembic is Here And Now ! Have you had an opportunity work with any Pluto gear How about an Alembic SF-2 ? If you can say yes to both questions your own perceptions will validate your own decision. Thank you very much .

Sonic Regards___!

jseitang · « **Reply #11 on:** January 29, 2011, 10:20:05 AM »

wolf , that sounds amazing your set-up.
what basses are you currently playing with this set up?
Jimy

sonicus · « **Reply #12 on:** January 29, 2011, 02:29:38 PM »

Hi Jimy,
The set up that I describe in my post #1571 is part of my on going experiments for my Series I & II. My Series I is medium scale and Series II is long scale ; both Standard Point body shape . I have the option of adding other 19 rack mount signal processing from other manufactures but I wanted to try and incorporate 100% Alembic signal processing before the power amp & speakers. I am really looking forward to the new IN-2 units when they become available.

sparechaynge · « **Reply #13 on:** January 30, 2011, 12:32:51 PM »

Sorry Sonicus, I didn't mean to insult anyone. I have not had the chance to work with any unit at all even roughly similar to either the Pluto of SF-2 units, hence the admittedly novice question. It's just that this is my first foray into anything hi-fi, and I didn't want to fall into the What gear do I use to sound like this guy trap. My choice of words was not the best, because what I meant was that I have heard great things about Pluto gear, and I didn't want to jump all over another effect of any kind by any manufacturer and then find out that it wasn't a same-sounding kind of thing. Not that I doubt Alembic's judgment in being able to make excellent gear that may of may not be what I am hearing in my head, it's just that I'm such a Newbie that I don't even know what questions to ask.

sonicus · « **Reply #14 on:** January 30, 2011, 12:49:48 PM »

sparechaynge, Absolutely no offense taken! I think that it is a needed part of the natural learning process to ask lots of questions. I still do because there are so many things that I know nothing about. I am sorry if I came across a bit intense. However I can tell you from experience that the SF-2 is a current piece of equipment that you can get awesome results from. The manufacturer to customer care is the best ! it is here and now!