Author Topic: 3 way electronics and 2 way electronics (question) (Read 485 times)

fdeeptone · « **on:** May 06, 2010, 06:40:42 PM »

HI everyone.
could someone give me the breakdown on the differences of Alembics original 3 way controls and their newer 2 way controls?
Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks,

mike1762 · « **Reply #1 on:** May 06, 2010, 07:03:32 PM »

I'm not sure what you mean by 3 way and 2 way.

fdeeptone · « **Reply #2 on:** May 06, 2010, 07:10:54 PM »

Well I have a G&L bass with Alembic pickups.
three pots that control tone. Volume has to be adjusted at the head. I had one of the pots broken and contacted Alembic sometime ago.
They said they didnt make the three way controls anmore but that i could purchase a 2 way module kit to replace it. I managed to repair the existing pot si i still have the three way setup.
Just wanted to understand better what the differences were. For better or worse.
Does anyone use this 3 way setup anmore or not.
Advantages,disadvantages ect. I cant explain it any better.

Thanks for reply. i hope this helps clarify my question. (BTW my other bass is a 1983 spoiler and im not sure if this is the 2 way thay are speaking about. Alembic said that all their PU are made tha same.

mike1762 · « **Reply #3 on:** May 06, 2010, 07:35:57 PM »

You must have an Activator in the G&L. The set-up on most Activator systems is Volume-Pan-Filter. There is one that has a traditional Bass-Treble in place of the Filter. Perhaps that is what you mean by 2 way? Did Alembic ever make an Activator with Bass-Mid-Treble (thus 3-way)? They all have a volume control, so I'm a little confused...

fdeeptone · « **Reply #4 on:** May 07, 2010, 01:34:55 AM »

I couls try and poat a pic of the electronics
if that would help after I wake up a bit ;P
Mica was the one who explained it to me over a year ago, maybe im not remebering right but
the controls all seem to effect tone, not volume
per say.

David Houck · « **Reply #5 on:** May 07, 2010, 06:48:37 AM »

A picture of the electronics might help.

David Houck · « **Reply #6 on:** May 07, 2010, 07:07:42 AM »

While were waking up (I'm headed for my second cup of coffee), try this. Turn all three pots fully counter clockwise. Do you still have sound?

David Houck · « **Reply #7 on:** May 07, 2010, 07:22:46 AM »

Were the G&L electronics completely replaced by the Alembic electronics?

Are there any switches, or just the three pots?

Are any of the pots scratchy, noisy, when you turn them?

fdeeptone · « **Reply #8 on:** May 07, 2010, 09:33:59 AM »

Ok I think I can explain thisa a bit better.
three knobs. First one seems to effect only tone *( one closet to jack. The center knob has a dead spot in it I am guessing becaise as i turn clockwise the pickup gets more sensitive then cuts out totally, When turned counterclockwise all the way you can still faintly hear the bass. Still very loud before cutoff point. the top knob controls the neck pickup and no volume at full counterclockwise. I followed Daves counterclcowise test to determine this. Apparently the bridge control has a malfunction
Which brings me back to ariginal question.
the comparison between this old setup and Alembics 2 way setup.

fdeeptone · « **Reply #9 on:** May 07, 2010, 09:45:44 AM »

you know I was just thinking, when my brother and I were replacing the knobs on this bass my brother accidently pulled the pin out of the pot
on the center knob, is it possible that when it was put back in it was turned the wrong direction? The knob is functional but seems to operate the opposite of the others and has a dead spot at about 12 0 clock. and no sound at full clockwise. Loudest volume is right before immediate cutout.

fdeeptone · « **Reply #10 on:** May 07, 2010, 09:52:03 AM »

OK last post till reply lol. I am asking these questions because I also have a spoiler bass 1982 and it does not seem as hot as the pu on the G&L in fact nowhere near. The electronics are different setup no doubt.So I guess I am curoius as to if I replace the current module in the G&L (which is discontinued)to the new setup Alembic offers am I losing any tonality. And if the pickups are the same why is the G&L run so much hotter? man I need to take an electronics course;P

lbpesq · « **Reply #11 on:** May 07, 2010, 09:57:48 AM »

Mark:

Personally, I've never heard of Alembic's two-way vs. three-way setup. I think perhaps you are mis-recalling your conversation with Mica. By dead spot in the center knob, are you perhaps referring to a center detent? Does the knob seem to click in the middle of the rotation? For example, thinking the typical 1-10 potentiometer, (no Spinal Tap 11 here), does the center knob seem to have a very defined resting place at about 5? If so, it is a pan that should choose one pickup at the furthest range (1 or 10), and blend them both in between (both pickups on and equal volume at 5). If there is a detent, but it's not panning between pickups, there may be a problem. As for the typical Alembic electronics, there is usually a volume, a low pass filter, and some type of pickup selector, either rotary (off-neck-bridge-both) or a pan as described above. A Q switch is often added to accentuate the filter's cut off frequency, but your's clearly doesn't have a Q.

Bill, the guitar one

lbpesq · « **Reply #12 on:** May 07, 2010, 10:10:52 AM »

Mark:

You posted as I was writing. If I understand correctly, your brother pulled the shaft right out of the pot and then just shoved it back in? I'm no electronics expert, but it seems to me that this alone would lunch the pot. As for the Alembic pickups being less hot than the G&L, have you adjusted the trimpot on the preamp? I would think you should be able to set the Alembics much hotter than standard passive pickups. As for tone, if your electronics are in order and calibrated properly, the tone from the Alembics should far outshine any passive system I've ever heard. If you have a lunched pan pot, I suspect that could effect the overall sound and perceived hotness

Bill, tgo

fdeeptone · « **Reply #13 on:** May 07, 2010, 10:13:04 AM »

So lets see if i got this straight?
The controls are bottom knob is a low pass filter which effects the overall tone of the bass, center knob is a pan. possible detent as the bass does act strangly at the center point
but thats also where the scratch sound is.
And the top is a rotory selector,
So with this setupthe top knob is a selector for both neck and bridge? It kind of seems like the center knob controls the bridge and the top controls the neck at least thats how I have always set the bass.But the panning is an interesting thought that never crossed my mind.

fdeeptone · « **Reply #14 on:** May 07, 2010, 10:27:22 AM »

Well Im not comparing it to a passive setup as the G&L has Alembic pickups. My brother was removing a speed knob and pulled the shaft out of the pot which he carefully put back in but it has changed the way that pot reacts. Overall the bass sounds great and runs alot hotter then my spoiler, I adjusted the preamp on the spoiler sometime ago Ill take another look at it maybe its not adjust enough. I was more concerened on balance at the time over output. Clockwise with the trimpot will increase sensitivity correct?