Knobs on Series II

[mele_aloha]

Does anybody know if the continuously variable Q on a Series II has the pointed knob compared to the round knurled knobs with the marker line on them such as volume and low pass filter?
 
Thanks, Paul

[the_8_string_king]

Yes, Paul, if/when you look at a picture of a Series II, you'll see it comes with a total of 8 controls (assuming it's standard); the standard array has 5 knobs (a master volume, two individual volumes, and two filters) and 3 of the pointed controls; though they look the same, one of them is a 4-position pickup selector (so it has 3 clicks separating the positions) and 2 of them are the CVQ controls.
 
You can easily find several pictures of Series II basses in Showcase and in the Custom Archives.  Of course, some Series II instruments have additional controls -dimmer knobs and/or on/off toggle switches for the LEDs being the most common... but occaisionally someone will add bass & treble controls, like on both my customs!
 
(Message edited by the 8 string king on September 16, 2007)

[mele_aloha]

Thanks Mark,
 
I just couldn't find any pictures that labeled the knobs on a Series II. I know generally what the knobs are but I was wondering, on the Series II there should be no stops on the CVQ knobs so I was wondering if those pointed knobs turn freely for variation as opposed to Series I where those pointed knobs would have stop positions, right?
 
Thanks, Paul

[82daion]

Paul,
 
A Series I doesn't have the pointed knobs for Q control-there's a pair of three-position toggle switches, and one pointed knob that controls the pickup selector.
 
You are correct in saying that the CVQ has no stops-that's the continuously variable bit.

[kenbass4]

Paul,
 
Click the link and scroll down. These are typical Series II controls (like the ones on mine)
 
http://www.alembic.com/info/FC_purpleprincess.html
 
Ken

[adriaan]

It's not about the knobs, it's about the thingies on top of which the knobs are mounted. You can mount a pointy knob on a pot (at least on one with a thin shaft) or on a rotary switch.
 
Usually the pointer knobs are mounted on the pickup selector (rotary switch) but on a Series 2 package they're also mounted on the CVQ pots. A CVQ pot replaces the 3 position Q toggle switches in a Series 1 package, and allows you to select the in-between settings for the Q boost at the break-off frequency.
 
I came close to ordering an intermediate option - a 10 position rotary switch (with the pointer knob) for 0-9 dB options in the Q boost, but in the end opted for a 3 position toggle with 0, 3 and 6 dB boost. The 3 dB increases are already pretty subtle, but still audible (at the attack part of the note).

[mele_aloha]

That was a good link Ken. You guys have answered my question now. They use the same pointed knob on the pick-up selector switch as they do on the rotary variable CVQ pot on the Series II. That was what I couldn't figure out.
 
Thanks you all!, Paully Wally

[the_8_string_king]

That's what I told'ja in my intial response, ya silly goof!!!