Author Topic: 9 volt add to Distillate, total 18 volts (Read 146 times)

81distillate · « **on:** January 23, 2008, 07:44:29 PM »

Hey there, does anyone know if you can safely add an extra 9 volt to 1981 Distillate circuit? I could still use some more headroom and output after adding 2 2.7k resistors. Thanks

811952 · « **Reply #1 on:** January 24, 2008, 11:34:36 AM »

Mica will have to have the last word on this, but my inclination would be to wire them in parallel if you're going to do it, so the voltage is the same but circuit will have more current potential available if it's needed.

Why did you add the resistors, just out of curiosity?

John

81distillate · « **Reply #2 on:** January 24, 2008, 12:38:27 PM »

There is a post on here under Distillate, I think its in FAQ but anyway, Mica helps another guy out by giving him a mod to increase his output. The mod helps, but I still find that Im having to increase input gains on preamps to compensate for the lack of output of the Alembic. Its just because Im not used to it. I have played Sadowsky and other basses with high output for so long, I just am used to that, and now, Im slowly learning on day 3 with my Alembic, that the beauty is that it gets these tones, but yet retains a certain passive vibe to it.

811952 · « **Reply #3 on:** January 24, 2008, 04:42:08 PM »

I've always liked the Distillate circuitry. You can get the crux of Alembic tone flexibility with minimal forethought. Those are great sounding basses! It never was apparent to me that they had less output than anything else at the time (they probably didn't, but times change!). The nicest thing about Alembic tone circuitry is that you can change the overall tonal character without it sounding like you've changed the overall tonal character of the instrument, if that makes sense. I digress...

John

(Message edited by 811952 on January 24, 2008)

David Houck · « **Reply #4 on:** January 24, 2008, 05:28:10 PM »

John; the resistor mod is here. Apparently, the '81s, being the first year, had lower output than later models.

Jeffrey; just thought I would check, are the blue trim pots inside the control cavity turned all the way up?

81distillate · « **Reply #5 on:** January 24, 2008, 05:41:18 PM »

Well, not all the way up. I tried that, but noticed I seemed to be distorting when I dug in. However my higher output basses, i.e. Sadowsky, doesnt distort at all. Could it be the pickups themselves have collected distortion over the years. 27 year old pickups you know. I would say that the bridge pickup is all the way up and the neck is at 3 oclock.

David Houck · « **Reply #6 on:** January 24, 2008, 05:43:33 PM »

This previous thread indicates that circuits made prior to 1995 would need new capacitors to run on 18 volts.

David Houck · « **Reply #7 on:** January 24, 2008, 05:56:15 PM »

I couldn't find any previous mention about what effect running 18 volts would have on the circuit or the output.

terryc · « **Reply #8 on:** January 25, 2008, 06:34:18 AM »

ever thought of turning the pre gain on your amp up, sorry if I am stating the obvious but this would seem easier!
Personally I think messing around soldering components on the pre amp board with the potential disasterous results of damaging the board whilst soldering is risky

81distillate · « **Reply #9 on:** January 26, 2008, 12:12:20 AM »

No problem with stating the obvious, but we all have our way of doing things. My rig isnt set up for changing gain structures very easily. My gear is used to the outputs of my Sadowsky and my customized Ibanez 4 with East U Retro preamp and EMG pickups. Both are very high output basses and thought the Alembics sounds just as good, it just isnt hot enough for me. Im learning to find ways around the problem, and I might even drop playing the other two and just play the Alembic and set the gain structure for just that bass. The only other problem I face with the Alembic is its lack of midrange, especially in the low-mid territory. But again, when I listen to recordings, Im not missing it that much, its just different.