Changing / enhancing Essence Electronics

[tomhug]

I am not sure if this post belongs in "Alembic Basses & Guitars", "Owning an Alembic/Troubleshooting", or "Dreaming... for now". Mods - feel free to move this to a more appropriate area if warranted.


So in the space of about 2 weeks (about 5 months ago), 2 different Essence basses became available to me:









I love the Essences' physical playing platform, and I really like that both of my 5-strings now have the same shape. What's not working quite so well for me is the stock filter EQ circuit for these. I am evaluating my options, and I'd like hear any ideas or experiences that others have had.


Option #1) If I could snap my fingers, I'd just wish both of these basses to be East-meets-West and I think that would totally cover my bases (er - basses). Problem with that is I'd need to have significant routing done, plus the additional holes in the top. Is this type of modification even viable to consider?


Option #2) On the other end of the least destructive mod, would be the addition of a 3-position Q switch.


Option #3) Somewhere in between of those two options, my thoughts would be to simply swap the "Activator with Filter" circuit for the "Activator with Bass/Treble" circuit. This is the option I am leaning towards, for the following reasons: 1) The basses that preceded these two (an Epic and an Orion) both had the Bass/Treble and I know these worked for the genres I play most frequently 2) When I feel that I need the Alembic Filter sound, I have my Series I with CVQ upgrade to "scratch that filter itch".


Any other options/approaches I should consider?

[growlypants]

Why don't you send me that fretless, and I'll see if I can't work on it at some point.  (She's a beauty!!)

[rv_bass]

I recommend starting with the 3-way Q-switch.  I added one to my Orion with Essence controls and it made a world of difference.

[tomhug]

Why don't you send me that fretless, and I'll see if I can't work on it at some point.  (She's a beauty!!)

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind. :-)

[tomhug]

I recommend starting with the 3-way Q-switch.  I added one to my Orion with Essence controls and it made a world of difference.

Yeah, I've been wavering between swapping to the Bass/Treble circuit or just adding the Q. I could even leave it in the cavity until I decide I like it (without drilling a hole). I don't really switch between Q values that often. I think getting something to attenuate the peak in the filter circuit would get me very close to my sonic goals. I am just wondering if it will get me all the way there...

Thanks

[olacy]

I'm owner of  Essence V and I'm not happy about tone controls. High-pass filter is not enought. I bought John East BTB01 that I use it as an external preamp. It works very well. I can adjust the bass and treble in a double potentiometer. I highly recommend such a solution. It works outside of guitar but I'm thinking about set up this onboard.

[Twocan]

Definitely add the Q switch. I'm doing the same with my Essence 5, and did the same with my prior Essence 4. The upgrade is worth it


I'm also using the Yamaha NE-1 (Nathan East Pre Amp) and the SFX AY2 (NE-1 inspired) - those pedals really add a lot of tonal options on the fly.

[tomhug]

I'm owner of  Essence V and I'm not happy about tone controls. High-pass filter is not enought. I bought John East BTB01 that I use it as an external preamp. It works very well. I can adjust the bass and treble in a double potentiometer. I highly recommend such a solution. It works outside of guitar but I'm thinking about set up this onboard.

One of my friends uses an on-board John East. These are very effective preamps. However that preamp is probably not the correct choice for my particular specific application. One of the things I love about my Alembics is when other bassists or musicians are shocked to learn that I am playing an active bass. With either the filter or the Bass/Treble circuits, there's something about these circuits that are somehow more "organic" than most preamps.

Definitely add the Q switch. I'm doing the same with my Essence 5, and did the same with my prior Essence 4. The upgrade is worth it

I'm also using the Yamaha NE-1 (Nathan East Pre Amp) and the SFX AY2 (NE-1 inspired) - those pedals really add a lot of tonal options on the fly.

I wasn't aware of of the Nathan East or the SFX Preamp.

My preferred style is to run my amp very flat and use the on-board bass for any tone control. I've never considered running an out-board preamp. I probably still wouldn't consider it for no other reason than I am stubborn and set in my ways (!). In fact I am probably too reluctant to use my amp's tone controls to make other adjustments. (because I am stubborn and set in my ways (!))


I guess why I posted this question is because the Bass/Treble circuits in my recently departed Orion and Epic got me where I needed to be while still running pretty flat on the amp. And, of course, East-meets-West is "all of the above"


Thank you both for the suggestions.