Epic Information Request

[gaby]

Hi
I just purchased a used Alembic Epic 5 Strings, with the following Serial No.:
93W7974 USA
It has what look like two Q Switches/filters, on top of the four knobs.
Thanks for the help.
Gaby

[locutusofborg10]

gaby
if these are indeed q switch/filters please let me know.  i have an epic 4 and would love to put a q switch/filter on mine.  if they are q circuits, we'll find out how to put them in.
locutus

[David Houck]

Hi Gaby; I'm a bit confused by your description, could you post a picture?

[bsee]

The description sounds like signature electronics.  I suppose it is possible that someone would have ordered an Epic that way, but we'll see when the wood card gets pulled or a picture shows up.

[gaby]

Hi there  Thank you all for your replies; maybe you've noticed that this was my first posting (on this forum), as this is my first Alembic - definitely not my last, if this 93' Epic is a (cheap?) example of the Alembic extraordinary sound quality and versatility.  The first time I've plugged it in, I was literally blown away by its sound, the sustain and since then I almost every day find a new tonal option - I guess the two filters help also (please bear in mind that all this happened after I just tried my new/ used Zon 5, which isn't a bad bass either).  OK. I know you like pictures  more than words, so just a word of precaution before: I found this bass on eBay, and it has seen heavy duty service, from its appearance - but by the way it handles itself, that's just another testimonial to the amazing durability of the Alembic products, I think.  Without further a do

 

 

 

 

[lowlife]

Hi Gaby and welcome to the club.  Great looking bass; enjoy.
 
Ellery (Lowlife)

[gaby]

Sorry for the mess - I'm still sorting out the photos department.
I'm a new member, what can I say... here's a picture  of my Zon 5, as a way to say sorry
 

[David Houck]

My guess is that you have signature electronics, but that they were added sometime after the bass was built.  Hopefully, Val will notice this thread and clue us in.

[bsee]

Have to agree on that.  You can know for sure by setting the volume up and panning fully to one pickup.  Then spin one of the filter knobs back and forth.  to see if it has a wah-wah effect.  If it doesn't, flip a toggle switch and try it again.  If you find a set that works together, spin the pan fully the other way and the other filter/switch should now do the same thing.
 
The typical signature setup is that each filter is applied only to one pickup.  The Q switch controls the amount of boost applied at the knee frequency of the filter.  When the Q switch is off, the filters are simply a hi-cut.  With the Q switch on, there is an additional mid-boost that sweeps with the filter.  This is what creates the wah-wah effect when you spin the filter knob.
 
It's possible that there's something else in there, but this would be the most likely.
 
-Bob

[gaby]

Thank you Ellery for the welcome.
Regarding the electronics, I still haven't heard from Val, but I think I can hear the wah-wah effect that Bob mentioned (or it's just in my head). Either way, the bass sounds fabulous.
Could any of you help me with finding once an forever what each knob is supposed to do (except the volume one, which is the top left one when holding the guitar and looking down on it)?
Thanks again for the replies, guys.

[bracheen]

Hi Gaby, let me extend my welcome also. The knob next to the volume is a pickup pan. The two on the bottom are treble and bass. At least that's the set up on my Epic but it hasn't been modified.
Anyway it's a great bass and since they seem to be somehow underappreciated Epics can be had at very good prices. Enjoy.  The Zon is nice too BTW.
 
Sam

[bsee]

Probably the knob just back toward the bridge from volume is the pickup pan (bottom left in your terms).  Set all the other knobs at full and spin the pan knob.  The bassier direction will be the neck pickup.
 
Once you know this, set the pan to fully favor the neck pickup and sustain a note.  Spin the filter knobs and one should change the tone while the other has no effect.  The one that matters will be the neck filter and the other should be the bridge filter.
 
Now, spin the neck filter looking for the wah-wah sound.  Flip one of the toggle switches and try again.  The switch that makes the wah-wah appear and disappear would be the neck Q switch.
 
The remaining switch would then have to be the bridge Q switch.  Set the pan fully in favor of the bridge pickup and repeat the filter and Q switches to verify this.
 
-Bob

[gaby]

Thank you Sam
I agree with you - the Epic seems to be an unknown model to the masses that would rather buy a factory Fender for the same amount of money, not knowing what they're missing (I had Fenders before, and the Epic is in a different class altogether, in my subjective opinion).
At least it keeps the price of used entry level Alembics relatively low, which is great.
After my experience I believe every bass player should at least try the Alembics once in his lifetime - to have something to compare the other brands by.
I must lend a hand or two to the domestic chores now, or my wife will sell the bass on eBay when I'm not at home - not enough time left in a day to play this instrument; Bob, thank you for your time - I'll let you know what I've found after I try your instructions.
And where is Val when he's needed?
Regards to all.
Gaby

[bsee]

Alembic is very busy these days.  Not only is it prime vacation season, but they're furiously answering questions for all the people trying to make ordering decisions before the end of the year.  It's got to be worse than usual over there in terms of traffic right now.

[gaby]

Bob, your last instructions did the trick, and they were spot on; so these toggle switches are the signature electronics?
Which Alembic models have these usually?
Thank you for your help in sorting my knobs and switches - electronically speaking, of course.
Regards
Gaby