Author Topic: Anniversary X Signature (Read 194 times)

gregduboc · « **on:** April 30, 2009, 11:54:29 AM »

Alright! It is almost time to get a new Alembic!! I'm really excited... (obviously!)
So, the thing is: I'm a short scale guy, no doubts on that, so the bass is definitely going to be a Stanley Clarke model. But I've narrowed my search into two basses:
It's either going to be a Brown Bass with the Anniversary Electronics, or a Stanley Clarke Deluxe.
Now, here is where you, nice folks from this nice club, come in!
What are the main differences between them? Which electronics should I go for? Is the Anniversary really close to the Series I? What about the Signature Deluxe?
The main problem is, I cannot go down to a store and try them, because they don't exist here in Brazil. So I'm counting on you to help me out!
I know you are the only guys that can save me on this terrible doubt!!
And please don't say: When in doubt, get'em both!!

Greg

keith_h · « **Reply #1 on:** April 30, 2009, 01:06:52 PM »

I have a Brown Bass. I believe the actual filter/preamp electronics are the same. The difference is Anniversary has two volume controls and a stereo/mono switch whereas the Signature has one volume control, one pan control and no stereo/mono switch.

For a discussion on volume/volume versus pan see this.

Go here for Anniversary electronics and here for Signature electronics.

I don't think you can go wrong with either one.

Keith

terryc · « **Reply #2 on:** May 01, 2009, 03:34:41 AM »

Gregduboc..as keith h says, you cannot go wrong with either one, it's all a matter of what you prefer.
My MK has the pan control which I use as a third 'tone' control in addition to the filters & Q switches, moving the pan to front & back pu produces another variation in sounds which is there is an already vast selection with the filters/Q's
You could always go for S2 if you have the money and Alembic will build whatever scale you want.
Oh such hard decisions!!!!!

briant · « **Reply #3 on:** May 01, 2009, 07:51:14 PM »

Two of my three have Signature electronics and on the custom I ordered I added a master bass and treble control as well. Lots of knobs but the tone options are just ridiculously wonderful. I'm a huge fan of the Signature electronics.

81distillate · « **Reply #4 on:** May 01, 2009, 10:17:14 PM »

I have Anniversary Electronics in my Custom 4 String EVH, and I love it. I want to send it back to the mothership and have a Master Volume knob and Bass and Treble switches (a la Distillate) for each pickup added, so even in stereo mode, I have complete control of what's going to the board. I use a stereo Y cable from the bass to my two wireless units, then to separate amps and cabs live, and in the studio, the same Y cable to two separate tube direct boxes and then to 2 separate Neve 1073's, with the outputs from the Direct Boxes feeding my Amplifiers, with each cabinet miked with a simple Shure SM57 off axis. Only Boris the spider could have better tone! J/K, but seriously, its worth it to have the stereo output.

gregduboc · « **Reply #5 on:** May 03, 2009, 03:56:29 PM »

Alright guys, thanks for the info... I'll share with you the info that Ed, from Bass Central, sent me regarding the same question:
Signature Electronics are both in the same 'family' of Alembic preamps.
Between the two, the main differences are that Signature has Master
Volume/Blend and Anniversary has Vol/Vol for the pickups. Between the two,
the Signature has the most versatility while the Brown is the
warmer/fuller sounding. Keep in mind that the wood (neck & body) in the
Brown bass adds a lot to the warm/full sound just as the more 'open'
sounding wood combinations on the deluxe series contributes to a more
complex tone. The Brown also has Fat Boy pickups, which are slightly fuller
sounding. Mica from Alembic described it as this... The Signature is the
bass you take to handle anything (slap/etc), the Brown is the comfortable
bass that you feel at home with (blues/rock)

Greg

Enzo · « **Reply #6 on:** May 03, 2009, 06:47:23 PM »

Ok, I'll go with the Signature !
Oops, sorry I got carried away, I thought it was me chosing my dream bass !
I have to be patient.

gregduboc · « **Reply #7 on:** May 04, 2009, 12:15:46 PM »

Relax Enzo, your time will come!!!!
And boy, it is a hell of a good time!!!
I just love this indecision!

Greg

eligilam · « **Reply #8 on:** May 04, 2009, 02:00:32 PM »

I have a SC Sig Deluxe, and I'm able to get just about any tone I would ever want...I keep both filters clicked on the whole time. Other than that, it doesn't take long to get to where you can dial in what your brain wants to hear by sweeping the Q knobs and the pan. I can do it now on the fly without even looking down---

neck Q, bridge Q, pan (in o'clock units):

slap: 9, 9, 5
fat: 3, 4, 6
hollowed out: 10, 3, 8
honk: 5, 6, 4

etc., etc. For me, it's sort of a left-brain kind of thing. Good luck!

jazzyvee · « **Reply #9 on:** May 04, 2009, 04:50:09 PM »

(Message edited by jazzyvee on May 04, 2009)

jazzyvee · « **Reply #10 on:** May 04, 2009, 04:56:03 PM »

(Message edited by jazzyvee on May 04, 2009)

jazzyvee · « **Reply #11 on:** May 04, 2009, 04:58:23 PM »

I also have a SC Deluxe and my settings for most things is neck pan fully closed (ACW), Q-off to give me a loads of bottom end, then Bridge, fully Open (CW) and Q-on. pickup blend is turned fully towards neck then just slightly anti clock wise to get the crisp edge to the bass sound. Majority of my tone changes then come from rolling back the bridge filter, turning the blend control anti clockwise towards the bridge and where i pluck the strings.

I do find the controls to be amazingly flexible and am always finding new tones from them. They do take some getting used to compared to regular bass controls.
Jazzyvee

keith_h · « **Reply #12 on:** May 04, 2009, 06:07:20 PM »

I find the Brown Bass quite good for slapping and popping. It is the bass I take with me all of the time regardless of the music style I will be playing. I agree it does have a rounder sound than other basses I've heard but it can still get quite bright. For general playing I leave the neck pickup filter set back about 2/3's and the Q switch on. For the bridge I leave the filter on full with Q switch off. When I want to slap or solo I turn the neck filter wide open and turn the bridge Q switch on. To get a Fender'ish sound I set the neck controls the same and cut the bridge filter back a bit. I also cut the neck pickup volume some.

Keith

David Houck · « **Reply #13 on:** May 05, 2009, 04:42:55 PM »

Will; excuse for being picky, but for the sake of consistency so that we don't confuse new members and the non-members that read but don't post - the standard nomenclature is that the knob is the filter, the switch is the Q. Of course you can call 'em what ever you want; it'll still sound great.

eligilam · « **Reply #14 on:** May 07, 2009, 01:18:34 PM »

Thanks Dave, I always get those mixed up.