Author Topic: Question on guitar volume (Read 139 times)

staemius · « **on:** June 06, 2005, 10:40:31 AM »

Howdy all - I've noticed on my Electrum that I have to turn up the volume aprox 3 more spaces on my amp than other guitars (the Electrum is not as loud). Not sure if this is a tech issue (typical of active electronics?) but it would be nice to have a bit more headroom. Anyone have a similar experience or can help me hone in on what the issue is?

mica · « **Reply #1 on:** June 06, 2005, 10:53:28 AM »

Check the internal gain adjustment. We set it at about the middle from the factory, but you should adjust it to match your other guitar when the volume knob on the outside is turned up full.

Changing the internal gain affects the gain only, no tonal difference when adjusting it.

staemius · « **Reply #2 on:** June 06, 2005, 12:23:30 PM »

Thanks Mica - hate to show my ignorance but what/where is the internal gain - it's not the filter pot right (which does adjust the tone)? thanks again!

David Houck · « **Reply #3 on:** June 06, 2005, 05:02:20 PM »

Remove the control cavity plate on the back of the instrument. There is what looks like a blue cube with a white circle on the top. There is a slot in the white circle for a screwdriver blade. Turn clockwise for more gain.

spacebass · « **Reply #4 on:** June 13, 2005, 09:16:21 AM »

What purpose does the internal gain serve? WHy not make all the instruments come from the factory as loud as possible?

dadabass2001 · « **Reply #5 on:** June 13, 2005, 10:28:23 AM »

Scott,
The adjustment allows you to balance the relative output of two or more diffeerent basses / instruments. Also when amps and stomp boxes weren't as forgiving of active electronics (60s and 70s, etc) you could lower your instrument level to match the input sensitivity.
Mike

David Houck · « **Reply #6 on:** June 13, 2005, 03:06:25 PM »

In addition to what Mike said, on Alembics with two preamps, one for each pickup, there are two internal gain pots; thus you can adjust the gains of the pickups relative to each other. And, as Mike mentioned, there are some amps and preamps that can't handle the maximum output of an Alembic.