Author Topic: Signature electronics Vs Anniversary electronics (Read 226 times)

the_axle · « **on:** March 02, 2006, 05:47:52 AM »

Hi to everybody,
Which are the main differences between this two electronics? I've got a very old Fender Jazz bass that gives a real good and warm sound. Do you think that I can reach a jazz bass like sound with an anniversary electronics? I've tried with the signature one and the result is pretty good! Hope someone has the answer...

Landry

David Houck · « **Reply #1 on:** March 02, 2006, 07:28:17 AM »

Signature and Anniversary electronics should not sound significantly different. They are essentially the same with two differences. First, Signature has a volume and a pan control; Anniversary has two volumes and a pickup selector switch. Second, Anniversay has a stereo 1/4 jack with a mono/stereo switch.

jacko · « **Reply #2 on:** March 03, 2006, 05:12:08 AM »

Both are very versatile electronics packages so you should be able to get pretty much any tome you want. Begs the question, if you have a jazz bass and that's the tone you want, why buy an alembic?

Graeme

p.s. I know it's a daft question but hell. it's march ;-)

kmh364 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 03, 2006, 06:10:16 AM »

Don't know about Anniversary or Signature electronics, but you can get that J-bass sound in spades with the right Alembic and the right electronics package.

I'm specifically referring to the EMW electronics package (East Meets West, aptly named after the Aug '03 COTM this package originated in). With a set-neck Alembic made with the right wood cocktail, the EMW electronics will give you that great Fender sound, plus a whole lot more.

Ck out these for further edification:

http://www.alembic.com/info/fc_emw.html

http://alembic.com/club/messages/631/8557.html?1093301442

http://alembic.com/club/messages/631/21327.html?1131222723

http://alembic.com/club/messages/631/20447.html?1135739441

FWIW, I personally wanted that Jazz Bass vibe and sound, but in a totally custom, ultra high-end masterpiece. At the time, it was my only bass (I'm primarily a guitar player that also thumps on four), so I wanted ONE high-end Swiss Army-style bass that could do it all versus a room full of lesser instruments. IMHO, I think I succeeded, and then some!

Good luck in your quest for the Holy Grail of Tone! You've come to the right place, Grasshopper, LOL!

Cheers,

Kevin

PS, Alembic has also made high-end basses with full size Jazz bass bodies (i.e., a 4-str and a fiver). Two such custom jewels went to the UK... I think to Bass Centre. I think they still might have one left. Do a search here and you'll find it complete with pix.

jacko · « **Reply #4 on:** March 03, 2006, 06:19:07 AM »

UK dealer is here.. http://ccgi.psstpsst.force9.co.uk/php/alebass.php

he has a very nice quilt maple dragon wing. Must stop visiting his site, my keyboard is getting damp from drooling too much.

Graeme

palembic · « **Reply #5 on:** March 03, 2006, 06:19:59 AM »

There is one but ...J basses are single coil PU's and Alembic got Hum-cancellers (NOT -buckers). There is STILL a difference but I think that the Alembic non -single coil PU's (BTW Series basses come with single coils but that electronic set-up is completely different)are coming very close to that single coil sound. In fact: they are a league of their own.
Don't forget that there is also a MAJOR difference in the location of the PU's on an Alembic versus a J-bass. Just look at the bridge PU and you'll see!
Voil? ...just 2cts

Paul TBO

kmh364 · « **Reply #6 on:** March 03, 2006, 07:22:58 AM »

OK, OK...Bass Centre...Bass World...I was close at least! LOL! Thanks for the clarification, Graeme. This topic seems to come up every few months, and I can't for the life of me remember the links or where to find those elusive Alembic Jazz Basses. Must be Old Timer's, er, um, Alzheimer's Disease, LOL!

Yes, even on the large jazz-bodied Alembics the P/U location isn't quite the same as a Fender. Regardless, you still get great Jazz tones, but you get so much more, depending on you electronics package.

jacko · « **Reply #7 on:** March 03, 2006, 07:26:16 AM »

I've just spent the last half hour discussing this guys inventory with Mike Pisanek (mpisanek). The prices look very good - if only i had the money;-(

Graeme

kmh364 · « **Reply #8 on:** March 03, 2006, 11:09:25 AM »

That's gotta be the biggest inventory I've seen at an Alembic dealer. I don't think even Bass Central in Fla. has that many in-stock.

kmh364 · « **Reply #9 on:** March 03, 2006, 11:14:43 AM »

Sorry, duplicate post.

(Message edited by kmh364 on March 03, 2006)

the_axle · « **Reply #10 on:** March 04, 2006, 09:23:06 AM »

jacko, my jazz bass is too older to go out and hold a complete concert! I use it on recording sessions only. I'm searching for several ideas in order to define my dreamed bass and I can't dream of it without a jazz bass tone and an Alembic handcrafting. Series II electronics doesn't gives to me the searched tone as signature electronics does. The problem is that I never heard an anniversary electronic sound...

Landry

jacko · « **Reply #11 on:** March 06, 2006, 05:11:26 AM »

Hi landry. My first response was meant to be 'tongue in cheek'. Hopefully I haven't offended. I'd say, given the right choices of woods you'd get just about any tone you want from a series II bass.

graeme

mpisanek · « **Reply #12 on:** March 09, 2006, 06:50:55 AM »

Just my $0.02.

I would think that you could get pretty near whatever sound you wnated out of a series II bass on its own, but to enhance it even further, an SF-2 could go a long way.