Author Topic: Vari Q control for Signature Bass (Read 133 times)

terryc · « **on:** June 03, 2010, 06:33:17 AM »

Can the variable Q control that is on the Series II basses be retro fitted to Signature basses ie Mark King and Stanley Clarke Standard & DeLuxe models??
And if so can the owner perform it or does it require a whole new pre amp board?

adriaan · « **Reply #1 on:** June 03, 2010, 07:06:59 AM »

As far as I'm aware, they will only install CVQ on Series electronics. I heard they tried adding it on a Spoiler once, and that it's not something they wish to repeat.

On my Spoiler I have a 3 position Q switch with 0-3-6 dB settings. The 3dB increments are noticable, but already fairly subtle. The 6 dB is a lot less harsh than the standard 8dB.

When I had the switch upgraded, we played around with the idea of a rotary switch with fixed dB settings. This idea wasn't rejected (it was me who didn't want to wait for benchtime) so it may be something to look into.

terryc · « **Reply #2 on:** June 03, 2010, 07:12:47 AM »

Adriaan..sometimes I find the fully open filter setting with Q's activated just to harsh, with the variable you can dial off some of the boost but still reatin the high tone.
Maybe Mica can answer this one for me

adriaan · « **Reply #3 on:** June 03, 2010, 07:46:34 AM »

The CVQ does the same thing as the Q switch: it sets the amount of boost at the cut-off frequency. The amount of treble is controlled by the filter knob - fully open means the whole frequency spectrum (up to 6.5 kHZ) passes through, then as you close the filter you're cutting off the higher part of the spectrum at an increasingly lower point.

With the Q boost engaged, you can use the filter knob as a refined sort of wah pedal - you're moving around the frequency at which the boost is applied to the signal.

The difference between CVQ and a simple Q switch is that a CVQ is not limited to two or three settings, and that the maximum boost is higher (12 dB?).

David Houck · « **Reply #4 on:** June 03, 2010, 08:43:11 AM »

What I've noticed with my rig is that how the Q setting sounds is significantly dependent on how my rig is setup. Last night, the Q setting on my bridge pickup was quite high, but there was no 'harshness' at all since that setting was working with other elements in my signal path, F-2B, SF-2, etc., to give me an overall balanced output.

What you might want to try, if you haven't already, is start with the Q switch turned on and EQ your rig to where the 'harshness' disappears.

terryc · « **Reply #5 on:** June 04, 2010, 05:45:57 AM »

Adriaan..yes I know what you mean, maybe I wasn't explaining myself properly, Dave has seemed to given me a solution to which I will try, even after 12 years of ownership I am still learning how to get the best out of my MK Signature.
Thanks to both of you.