Author Topic: Essence vs Signature electronics (Read 631 times)

willie · « **on:** June 22, 2009, 05:58:36 PM »

I have an Essence that has a Small Standard body with a crown peghead, sustain block, 2 purple heart neck lams with Essence electronics with a added Q switch. I'm thinking of upgrading the electronics to Signature ones. Its already close to a Stanley Clarke bass the way it is. I figured the upgrade would make it even closer. I had the honor of playing one
of Stanley's basses that was on consignment at Guitar Villa. I loved the bass and the tone options with that electronic package. I was wondering if anyone has ever done that or knows if its possible. I realize there may need to be some routing on the back to fit the electronics and obviously some new holes drilled on the front which would have to be done at the Mothership. I have an e-mail in to Mica asking her about this. I just want to hear some opinions of the very knowledgeable and helpful people here. I wish I had had them installed when it was built but just like ebony neck lams, side LED's back laminates and all the other options I had to draw the line somewhere money wise. Let me know what you think. By the way the bass has the narrower Pickups like an Essence or Europa and is tuned as a tenor bass and is a short scale.
Thanks
Willie

David Houck · « **Reply #1 on:** June 22, 2009, 06:21:10 PM »

I don't see why it wouldn't be possible, given that it's a Small Standard body. I think it's a great idea!

jacko · « **Reply #2 on:** June 23, 2009, 05:04:45 AM »

I had the honor of playing one of Stanley's basses that was on consignment at Guitar Villa.

If it really was one of Stanley's basses and not an SC signature then it would have had series 2 electronics and not the signature that you're hoping to upgrade to. Having compared my signature with Georgie Boy's series, there's a world of difference in tonal possibilities. That's not to say the signature isn't an excellent package - I love mine and probably won't ever go for a series - just be sure you know what you heard ;-)

Graeme

(Message edited by jacko on June 23, 2009)

georgie_boy · « **Reply #3 on:** June 23, 2009, 07:16:28 AM »

Thanks for the heads up Graeme!!

George

georgie_boy · « **Reply #4 on:** June 23, 2009, 07:22:34 AM »

Graeme........I think you don't like Series basses.
I can understand why..after hearing your basses.
I suppose it's just horses for courses.

George

jacko · « **Reply #5 on:** June 23, 2009, 07:26:27 AM »

That's not at all true George. I loved the tone of your bass (and many others - stanley, JJ, JoS etc). However, I can't see me ever needing one as the signature electronics do everything I want.

Graeme

p.s. If you ever decide to sell up I'll be first in the Queue ;-)

georgie_boy · « **Reply #6 on:** June 23, 2009, 08:21:17 AM »

(Message edited by georgie_boy on June 23, 2009)

willie · « **Reply #7 on:** June 23, 2009, 11:55:00 AM »

Graeme
Thats a good point. The bass was definitely Stanley's. He had to sell it as part of a deal having to do with a divorce according to the salesman. He wasn't even goint to let me touch it. It was up in a display case above other basses. Once I starting naming the people at Alembic and could tell him their phone number off the top of my head and told him I had already at that time had 2 Alembic's built for me. Than he said Oh, let me get you a cord sir and what amp would you like to try it through. It could have been Series 2 electronics, there were so many knobs it took a while to figure them out. I only owned up to Europa electronics. The reason I thought they were signature was because he pluggeed it in with just a 1/4 jack. I thought you needed the 5 pin cable for series 2 but I did see some pictures of Series 2 basses with both types of outputs. Either way, changing to the Signature electronics would make it more like a S.C. model. But above that would give it way more tone flexibility. Plus I'm sure the Series 2 electronics are alot more money.
It was nice playing his actual bass though. Knowing whose fingers wore that finish down was cool. Played it for more than an hour but had to go back to work. Didn't have an extra $7000 they wanted for it though.
Thanks
Willie

keith_h · « **Reply #8 on:** June 23, 2009, 12:18:28 PM »

I'm not sure your model would support the Series electronics. They require a thicker body that is not typical on non-Series instruments (the Brown Bass is the exception as I recall).

I don't know what cavity size your bass has but Signature or Anniversary electronics should fit. However it might require routing if the cavity is too small.

Keith

willie · « **Reply #9 on:** June 23, 2009, 02:24:36 PM »

I figured it might need routing. And some new holes for the different knob and switch setup. I just hope if it needs routing that the finish doesn't get damaged and the whole bass have to be refinished, which it doesn't need. Its like new.
Probably too much too ask that they would just fit in with a couple new holes in the front and be done. I can't afford the series electronics right now anyway as far as body thickness.
Willie

willie · « **Reply #10 on:** June 23, 2009, 02:30:16 PM »

What is the difference between Signature and anniversary electronics and are Anniversary electronics available?
Willie

keith_h · « **Reply #11 on:** June 23, 2009, 04:46:27 PM »

The Anniversary Electronics have two volume controls and a stereo/mono switch for the output. The Signature has a pan and volume. Both have filters and Q-switches for each pickup. Which setup to go with is personal preference. If you look in the Must Read there is a thread with a link to a discussion on volume/volume versus volume/pan.

Keith

ajdover · « **Reply #12 on:** June 23, 2009, 08:05:52 PM »

I've owned/still own Alembics with:

Essence electronics
Signature electronics
Europa electronics
Anniversary electronics

I'd offer that if you like simplicity, the Essence electronics are the way to go. Personally, it is one of my favorite setups.

If you like something a bit more complicated, but less flexible in terms of being able to manipulate each pickup independently tone-wise, the Europa electronics are the way to go. I recently sold my Europa not because I didn't like it, but because I liked the Signature and Essence electronics more - it was more me.

If you like to be able to tweak each pickup independently, the Anniversary or Signature setup is the way to go (2 X filter and Q). The main difference, as Keith has noted is in the pickup selector/pan pot option. For me, the pan pot works better. If you're running something stereo, the Anniversary electronics should be your option of choice.

I will say the Anniversary electronics are very, very trebly to my ear, but that's only my personal observation.

The Signature electronics sound more woody to my ear as well.

If it is possible, I suggest you contact other Alembic owners in your area and see if you can play their basses. This way, you can figure out exactly what works for you (and at a far lower cost than buying a lot of Alembics!).

Good Luck!

Alan

willie · « **Reply #13 on:** June 23, 2009, 09:06:27 PM »

Thanks Alan
I have a Europa and love the electronics in that bass. The reason I considered the signature electronics for this bass is that when I speced it out I was going for a Stanley Clarke bass but cheaper cost with the specials at the time. The only thing about this bass left from an Essence is the electronics and I had a Q switch added because although I almost always have it on I wanted the option of turning it off. It also has the narrower pick ups of an Essence or Europa and same fingerboard dimensions at the nut and 24th fret as my Europa with the same profile which is very comfortable and a satin finish on the back of the neck.. I also added the two purple heart stringers in the neck and the sustain block. SO if I just upgraded the electronics it would be fairly close to a S.C. It was built from the start to be a tenor bass. But your right. The Essence electronics in it sound great, in fact the bass sounds really good. Alot of fun to play too with the shorter neck and way lighter strings. Especially after playing my 35 5 string Roscoe.
So its not that the bass sounds bad that made me think of considering this change, its just that I thought I could make it better. I've had 3 Alembics built for me so I'm familiar with their basses and I don't know anyone in this area who has an Alembic to try that has signature or anniversary electronics to try their bass out. Thats why I figured I'd just ask the people who know, this club.
Thanks for all the input from everyone. I haven't heard back from Mica yet on cost so no decision yet, but keep the idea's and suggestions coming, much appreciated.
Willie

David Houck · « **Reply #14 on:** June 24, 2009, 08:36:08 AM »

Willie; if you haven't already, check this thread out.