Author Topic: Adding a Q switch to an Epic (Read 832 times)

godoze · « **on:** October 28, 2004, 01:31:33 PM »

Is it possible to add a Q switch to an epic ?

mint_bass · « **Reply #1 on:** October 28, 2004, 03:07:34 PM »

hello

i do beleive it is but i no little about it one of the group will no more welcome to the club by the way do you just have an epic or do you have other basses. I have an epic with a bubinga top i think its the best bass there

i have often thought about adding a q switch myself and i am sure it is possible i think the pickup blend knob is replaced by the new q switch

talk to you soon
andrew

mint_bass · « **Reply #2 on:** October 28, 2004, 03:08:46 PM »

hello

i do beleive it is but i no little about it one of the group will no more welcome to the club by the way do you just have an epic or do you have other basses. I have an epic with a bubinga top i think its the best bass there is

i have often thought about adding a q switch myself and i am sure it is possible i think the pickup blend knob is replaced by the new q switch

talk to you soon
andrew

bsee · « **Reply #3 on:** October 28, 2004, 03:42:59 PM »

I doubt it. Since you have bass/treble controls instead of a filter, the Q switch wouldn't have anything to interact with.

mica · « **Reply #4 on:** October 28, 2004, 04:03:03 PM »

You can add a Q switch to an Epic, but you have to exhance the existing bass and treble module for a filter and Q switch module. You can do this yourself, without soldering.

Call 707 523 2611 and Valentino or I can take your order for the part. Please tell us you're swapping out bass and treble controls, because we'll supply a larger washer for the Q switch to mount in the original hole.

Bob is right, there isn't anything for the Q to work with on a stnadard Epic. The Q is an aspect of a filter, so you've got to have at least one filter to get to Q-land.

hollis · « **Reply #5 on:** October 28, 2004, 04:51:32 PM »

Hey Bob,

This is a little off thread...

Is my memory playing tricks on me again or did you ever get a chance to add a Q switch to your Persuader? If so, how'd it work out?

If that wasn't you, please disregard...

bsee · « **Reply #6 on:** October 28, 2004, 05:57:26 PM »

Hollis, I was considering it, but never acted. I love the tone the way it is and I guess I couldn't imagine that I would ever want to turn it off. I suppose there are a few more tones in there that I can't reach, but I can't say that I am missing them. As simple as I thought the Persuader controls were, very subtle tweaks to the filter make such lovely changes to the tone that work so well. If I had a Europa, Signature, or Series bass to A/B it with, I might change my mind. Maybe I just don't know what I am missing.

hollis · « **Reply #7 on:** October 28, 2004, 06:09:07 PM »

Bob,

I know what you mean about the tone of a Persuader. Yours must sound killer with the purpleheart lams. And the simplicity of the controls is indeed very deceptive. I wonder, doesn't the Q switch boost what's already there? I'm considering the switch, but I don't want to turn off any of the sounds I've already got, I just thought some boost might be fun....

(Message edited by hollis on October 28, 2004)

bsee · « **Reply #8 on:** October 28, 2004, 06:17:47 PM »

By default, you get the 8 db or so boost at the filter cutoff frequency. The Q switch gives you the ability to turn off that boost. The three position Q switch oves you the ability to choose between 0, 6, and 9 db of boost for a bit more control. I suspect that this boost is a part of what makes an Alembic different from anything else out there.

One thing is that I am primarily playing blues / classic rock type music. If I were playing more varied styles, I might feel the need for tones that can't be achieved with these electronics.

hollis · « **Reply #9 on:** October 28, 2004, 06:25:15 PM »

So the zero boost shuts the filter off? I thought it just gave the filter no extra boost.

Looks like another day of learning for me.

adriaan · « **Reply #10 on:** October 29, 2004, 02:12:57 AM »

The Q switch works on the twangy accent that the filter adds to the attack of the note, at the cut-off frequency. That is an effect that comes 'naturally' with low-pass filters.

The 'signature' Alembic sound is to boost that accent by another 8 dB. On the Essence package, and apparently also on the Persuader package, this boost is always on.

A 2-way Q switch allows you to turn the boost off: you still get the natural accent of the filter, and you can add the 8 dB boost if you want to. Spoilers come with the Q switch, as do the Signatures.

A 3-way Q switch (standard on Series I) allows you to turn off the boost, or add a 6 or 9 dB boost.

Finally, on a Series II you can turn a pot to determine the exact amount of boost that you want.

godoze · « **Reply #11 on:** October 29, 2004, 06:52:02 AM »

Could i add a filter or would i now be getting into the realm of eonomically unfeasable ? would i get the natural Alembic sound with an Essence ?

Thanks !

Don

godoze · « **Reply #12 on:** October 29, 2004, 06:54:41 AM »

I want to be in Q-Land !

geddy · « **Reply #13 on:** October 29, 2004, 08:41:30 AM »

So mica this would work on an orion as well?

how much is it for the filter swap out kit and the q-switch installation? Also are we limited to a 2 way switch in this case or can a 3-way be installed?

mica · « **Reply #14 on:** October 29, 2004, 11:57:00 AM »

Yeah it's the same story on an Epic or Orion. A regular AE-2 module (filter with 2-position Q switch) is currently $350. For a filter with 3-position Q switch, add $45. You can swap between the bass/treble and filter/Q arrangements in probably 15 minutes. Probably a good idea to hold onto your original controls, you may want to swap them back for a particular sound.