Author Topic: Ideal Alembic (Read 231 times)

tsarter · « **on:** August 27, 2003, 08:50:12 PM »

After buying (and selling) many, many Alembics I may have finally found my ideal Alembic...

I recently bought a well used '89 Stanley Clarke deluxe. Already has a couple mods - an input of an external power supply as well as a 2nd battery with a toggle switch allowing you to quickly switch between the two batteries should one die. Nice features, but not ones I would have paid to add.

I am having Ron add Europa style quick change bass and treble toggles though. Signature electronics have long been my favorite, but I also really liked the quick change tone toggles from the Europas. Now I'll have both, and am very excited about it.

Anyone else running this set up?

David Houck · « **Reply #1 on:** August 27, 2003, 10:15:03 PM »

I'm not, but I have often thought about such a setup. I have the Europa controls on a fretless 5 string; but my main fretted 4 string has Essence controls. And while I have long considered modifying my main bass, I've also been looking to purchase another (used) fretted 4. Over time I keep changing my mind about what I would like to have. For a while I was leaning toward a Series bass but decided that for practical and economic reasons Signature controls would be a better fit for me. I've never played a Signature or Series but my experience with the single filter Essence suggested to me that two filters would be a significant improvement in tonal possibilities, being able to leave one filter open while rolling off the other. Recently however I've been leaning toward Europa controls. I like the idea of being able to roll off the filter and push the treble switch to boost. It seems to work well on my fretless and I imagine it would be a nice setting on a fretted bass. Your setup will be the best of both worlds; and I'm looking forward to your report.

Congrats!

valvil · « **Reply #2 on:** August 27, 2003, 11:54:46 PM »

I also like that electronics combination. Infact, my fretless signature is currently at Alembic where they just added the quick tone switches, all it needs are blue leds which hopefully will be completed by Friday. I am having the switches installed in my other signature as well. I am also very excited at the idea. I think I saw someone else running this set-up, on this website.

Valentino

(Message edited by valvil on August 27, 2003)

dnburgess · « **Reply #3 on:** August 28, 2003, 05:34:41 PM »

Could someone please explain what the quick change tone switches do?

kungfusheriff · « **Reply #4 on:** August 28, 2003, 06:25:38 PM »

Yes, and are the boost and cut functions static, or are there trimpots to tweak their range?

tsarter · « **Reply #5 on:** August 29, 2003, 12:20:38 AM »

The quick change bass and treble switches are three way toggles. Middle is flat - no effect at all. Down provides 7db (I think) boost of bass and treble frequencies respectively, and up provides a 7 db cut. They are static, and I do not know what exact frequencies they effect, but they are the right ones to my ear!

tsarter · « **Reply #6 on:** August 29, 2003, 12:22:22 AM »

(Message edited by tsarter on August 29, 2003)

kungfusheriff · « **Reply #7 on:** August 29, 2003, 10:46:44 AM »

Thanks, Tim. Cross-pollinating the forums, too, I see (grin).
KFS

dannobasso · « **Reply #8 on:** August 30, 2003, 04:40:59 PM »

I have a few different control types including SC signature, Spoiler( V, T, Q switch, selector switch) and Custom Excel(V, P POT, TONE, Q POT) and a Spoiler Exploiter with V, V, TONE. I am most pleased with the simplicity of Spoiler electronics. I chose them for my latest Excel 5 w/ dual fatboys. Mica said Otay! I prefer switches to pots for a definite tone each time. But I know many Alembicians love tweeking their knobs.