Question about Mark King Signature Deluxe basses

[Picure]

Hello guys! I would like to ask if the Mark King Deluxe basses need any kind of electronics upgrade to fight against HF noise and radio like a Series bass? Or is it already dead silent no matter where you go? Also, would you guys recommend the MK DLX for rock styles? I primarily play with a pick and I have no idea how to slap.

Thanks!

[adriaan]

The electronics upgrade applies to older Series instruments, for non-Series it seems to depend but again a newer instrument is likely to be fine without. And if memory serves me right, it's a much less complicated update than on a Series.

[jazzyvee]

The non series basses have humcancelling pickups so don't need the humcancelling system in the series basses.
I have use a signature bass as my main gigging bass for everything from small pubs & clubs to large festivals and don't recall ever having any issues with HF or other noise interference.


One of our members here FC Spoiler uses basses with the same pickups in for his Metallica Tribute band and he plays mainly with a pick so I'm sure the MK DLX would be fine for rock.
Also George Price uses a signature bass for some of his rock style bands so either of those two members may chip in with their views.

 I've used my signature bass on classic rock and pop rock styles for a couple of years when I was in the house band at a local venue and it sounded great, though I've never used a pick for bass.
I guess in the end it's just a matter of EQ.

[mario_farufyno]

Since I don't own a Series or Signature Alembic I can't make a proper statement about this issue, but there are some countries where the poor regulation and/or lack of control over broadcasting and mobile telephony creates areas where some basses can really experience problems regarding RF inducted noises. Here in Brazil, for instance, there are certain areas where I just can't play with my Rogue. And I live in São Paulo, a metropolis with more than 12 million people and where we supposedly have strict laws about it.

The magnet bead thing have greatly improved its electronics isolation but cannot guarantee absolute silentness, specially if I'm close to TV/radio antennas (to be honest I do play in live shows on those venues now but wouldn't like to record). But, some years ago I've helped a fellow alembician to fine tune his Serie's dummy PU and we got rid of these RF noises entirely, though.

[mica]

Here in Brazil, for instance, there are certain areas where I just can't play with my Rogue.

Mario - not to totally hijack, but can you send me a picture of the electronics in your Rogue? There is an RF upgrade available for that model, and I'd like to see if your bass has it or not. Thanks!

[mica]

And to answer Jack's original question, there's a few versions of the Signature electronics. The earliest ones probably need an upgrade, but it's MUCH more simple than the Series upgrades, we don't need the whole bass and it's cheap by comparison. A new one would have the RF taken in account already so no need to upgrade. The new ones also have an additional buffer circuit for the pan control - the original ones had a slight drop in volume when the pan was at the detent.

If you needed to get an old Signature RF upgraded in a hurry, you could get 2 new filter/Q switch modules and swap them out. Then you could keep the originals as spares and have them upgraded later or build a new system for another bass around them.

[mario_farufyno]

Wow, great news, thanks for the advice Mica (hey, I'm not ranting about Alembic, my complaint is about brazilian law policies and trying to give a fair warn that things may be a little different from Europe/USA to some other countries). I'll contact you later, but about another question we've talked years ago, because - to be honest - after the magnet bead improvement you teached me I can live with my current signal to noise ratio. You can imagine that there are not much places for live music on these areas and, being directional, I can always find a position where it will be reasonably negligible for a live gig. Thanks for care, appreciate that.

[mario_farufyno]

... in Brazil, for instance, there are certain areas where I just can't play with my Rogue

Sorry, I should have said that I avoid playing on these areas but I can do it with some cares. I was writing about venues where RF interference may come from cables, AC sources, pedals and amps so, sorry if it sounded that Alembic was a problem.

* And, talking about laws, I must say that we are charged in 100% the declared value (plus insurance and shipping) when receiving back a electronic device such preamp board as if we were importing a new product. That is the real reason why I hesitated sending you the electronics first time and now... what can I say? All my love for the government!

[mb94952]

If you don't know how to slap at all then you're not allowed to own a Mark King signature bass. Didn't you see that in the fine print under the rules section ?
Just kidding.

[jazzyvee]

i think Keavin Barnes will gladly perform the slapping in of an alembic bass. He kindly told me that's what my series II needed. What slapping does is allow molecules elsewhere in the body to move and collect near the slap zone. This then eventually creates an area of increased density and hardness that over time will allow the attack of your notes to become more pronounced and punchy. in some cases depending on the intensity you can see the surface has become slightly raised with some discolouration. After a few weeks if you look closely  you can actually see and feel the changes under the surface sometimes this includes peeling. ........ Well thats what happened to my thumb👍🏿🤣🤫🤨🤪😇🤩🎸

[Picure]

If you don't know how to slap at all then you're not allowed to own a Mark King signature bass. Didn't you see that in the fine print under the rules section ?
Just kidding.

LOL! Im here to break all the rules!