Author Topic: 9 volt/18 volt electronics questions (Read 414 times)

slicknickhaas · « **on:** July 31, 2011, 08:32:27 PM »

so today I was playing around with my Epic 5 and my Modulus quantom 5 and couldn't help but notice the difference between the volume of the two. the Epic is pretty standerd as Epics go, I love it and use it the most and use my Modulus mostly as a back up. but I love how loud the q5 is compared to the Epic. while the tone of the epic is far wider.( the Q5 has emgs with the agular E.Q. so its a lil on the trebly side of tone) so the question is, is there anyone out there how has added an extra 9 volts to there bass? could the electronics handle the voltage? Just wondering..... not sure if I would really mod my Epic but the thought is danc'in round in my head. so I ask you my fellow alembican's, what do you think? 9 or 18 volt, whitch is better for a clear bright sound?

slicknickhaas · « **Reply #1 on:** July 31, 2011, 08:39:20 PM »

and on an other note, edwin, how's that custom series Guild Starfire coming along?

David Houck · « **Reply #2 on:** July 31, 2011, 08:47:48 PM »

Just thought I would check; is the gain trim pot in the control cavity turned all the way up?

slicknickhaas · « **Reply #3 on:** July 31, 2011, 08:53:30 PM »

hummm, good question. opening her up to take a peek now, any preferences on a position?

David Houck · « **Reply #4 on:** July 31, 2011, 09:00:29 PM »

The trim tab has no effect on the tone of the bass. Turned all the way up, it could overdrive some amps. Generally, players that use two or more basses on stage at a time will adjust the trim tab so that the output matches that of the other basses. I can't recall but I think I have mine all the way up; I just like sending a lot of signal to the preamp.

slicknickhaas · « **Reply #5 on:** July 31, 2011, 09:01:48 PM »

WOW! its a whole new bass now! it was at about 50%, with it all the way up it really stands out. but now I just noticed no mater where the gains at theres a hum that come up every time I touch the treble nob, interesting.

David Houck · « **Reply #6 on:** July 31, 2011, 09:04:58 PM »

Here is the FAQ on trim pots. Note that the total travel is less than 360?.

slicknickhaas · « **Reply #7 on:** July 31, 2011, 09:06:03 PM »

I hear you on the over driving of some amps, i'll have to mess around with it more since I think it might overdrive my tube amps but it sounds great through my Eden

David Houck · « **Reply #8 on:** July 31, 2011, 09:07:05 PM »

The hum wasn't there before?

David Houck · « **Reply #9 on:** July 31, 2011, 09:09:19 PM »

There shouldn't be any hum. Have you put the cover back on yet?

slicknickhaas · « **Reply #10 on:** July 31, 2011, 09:13:59 PM »

now i with i could upgrade the electronics in my Q5 to Alembic electronics, it might be nice to have adjustment for both pickups rater than one over all to, thank you dave, its nice to have such advice just a post away!

slicknickhaas · « **Reply #11 on:** July 31, 2011, 09:17:32 PM »

yes even with the cover on it still has a hum but only when I touch the nob though,I'm noticing a slight wiggle to the shaft of the pot too, might be time to get some replacement parts?

David Houck · « **Reply #12 on:** July 31, 2011, 09:26:31 PM »

It could be that the nut holding the pot tight to the body is loose; and since the pot is grounded when tight against the shielding inside the cavity, that could be causing the hum.

Go here for instructions on how to remove the knob. Once the knob is removed, tighten the nut with a box-end wrench. You may want to put a polishing cloth between the body and the wrench. You should remove the control cavity cover to make sure the pot doesn't turn when you tighten the nut; you don't want the pot turning to where it's touching anything else inside the cavity except the top.

David Houck · « **Reply #13 on:** July 31, 2011, 09:34:22 PM »

I'm headed for bed. If the nut wasn't loose, then maybe there's a problem with the pot. Let us know what you find.

slicknickhaas · « **Reply #14 on:** July 31, 2011, 10:23:10 PM »

Check and check, noticed the vol pot was a lil loose to, the tone pot shaft is still wiggling a bit, cant notice the hum at the moment but its more noticeble at higher volumes so I'll give it a proper check when the kids aren't sleepin, thanks again dave your a great help!