Author Topic: Difference in Series electronics and Signature (Read 652 times)

angelboy · « **on:** February 02, 2006, 01:51:28 AM »

I'll tell you what I understand first....
Both basses have the filter and Q for each pickup but the signature has a pan whereas the series has a selector. The signature has one volume control and the series a volume for each pick up.

Both basses have similar tone control but is the overall sound that much different?

I have a Series 1 but I'm looking at a SC Signature but can't try before I buy. Will I be disappointed with the sound in comparison to my Series?

marcky · « **Reply #1 on:** February 02, 2006, 02:57:31 AM »

First of all your series-1 has single coil pickups and signature basses have humbucking pickups, there's a big difference in sound.
I used to own a Mark King signature but I traded it for an old series-1 because that's where the real alembic sound is, but that's just my taste.
Also check out the scale length, it does make a bit of a difference in sound, more heavy strings don't work very well on medium or short scale basses IMHO. Hold on to your series-1 no other bass will sound like that. If you just want to add the SC to your collection it's ok, but it's a very different bass. But it is all up to you, you might like it!

Marc

(Message edited by marcky on February 02, 2006)

serialnumber12 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 02, 2006, 03:31:15 AM »

The signature basses come with a two position Q switch whereas the series basses come w/a three position (or) a continious /rotary Q (seriesII)switch,and yes there's a big diffrence in the sound the series basses are 'hollow' (chambered) which adds to the overall tone of the bass,where the other models are solid body basses, there's more meat in those series basses and of course the pups are like marky says single coil pups which is more defined in sound or more PURE sounding,,,,,,just ask your wallet!

angelboy · « **Reply #3 on:** February 02, 2006, 03:54:33 AM »

Thanks Marc,

I've no intention of letting the Series go but I've got an itch to get a short scale SC Deluxe. If I could find one at a reasonable price with Series electronics then I'd go fo it but they don't seem to be found too easily.

I play a JayDee Supernatural and a Warwick thumb and love them all for their different sounds, so maybe I would be fine with the Signature electronics. I've also got a Super Filter so I should be able to get the Signature to sound pretty reasonable against the Series...............with a bit of tweaking of course!!!

I've been looking for a Status S2 or Kingbass but I don't think they can compare to the Alembic.

angelboy · « **Reply #4 on:** February 02, 2006, 04:03:02 AM »

Serialnumber12: If I could only afford the $20k for my ideal Series 2 then I would but it wouldn't be too different to the Series 1 that I already have. I've got used to not having a master volume (a bit of a pain to start with) and the sweeping Q's are a real luxury.
In the UK you don't see many Alembics around, especially Series basses. Every sound engineer I've worked with has fallen in love with the bass, but I guess in comparison to what they're used to mixing the Alembic is real top shelf stuff. I play in the same venues with my Noble and Cooley drums and Brady snares and they fall in love with them too. It's hard to put a price on top level equipment!........well, $20k maybe

palembic · « **Reply #5 on:** February 02, 2006, 04:08:09 AM »

Yowdelyhow ...Paul the aaaaaaaaaaah one is there!
So ...do I read this right? I have to conclude you are a drummer too??
Sounds VERY Mark King-ish!

Paul the bad one

keith_h · « **Reply #6 on:** February 02, 2006, 05:38:33 AM »

There is a variation of the Signature Electronics that gets closer to a Series 1 setup (not the pickups though). It is the Anniversary package. It has separate volume controls, two Q switches, a pickup selector switch and a stereo/mono switch. This is what I have on my Brown Bass.

Still it is no Series I/II.

Keith

(Message edited by keith_h on February 02, 2006)

angelboy · « **Reply #7 on:** February 02, 2006, 07:38:32 AM »

palembic: I thought I could sneak back in unnoticed!!!

Yes, for my sins I'm a drummer to.................in fact..............I didn't want to tell anyone but..............I am..............Mark King!

angelboy · « **Reply #8 on:** February 02, 2006, 07:42:41 AM »

keith_h: So the controls are pretty similar then. Is it just the output from the pick-ups that are different or a whole different tone?

adriaan · « **Reply #9 on:** February 02, 2006, 07:43:15 AM »

No you're not - you have too much hair! J/K

angelboy · « **Reply #10 on:** February 02, 2006, 07:45:41 AM »

Ahhhh! You see, that's not really me, it's Marks son...........I mean my son....

keith_h · « **Reply #11 on:** February 02, 2006, 02:59:43 PM »

Paul,
You will need to add a moniker to your first name so the other Paul's don't get confused. LOL.

The Anniversary Electronics use humbucking pickups not the single coil that you have on your Series 1. I like the sound and versatility. In my opinion I can get that Alembic sound whenever I want it. It is probably the next best thing to Series 1 electronics. IMHO. I have never heard both side by side to determine how different they may be (sounds like an excuse to head up to the mountains and visit Asheville Dave). Having heard both separately I do think the Series electronics have a better tonal range.

My suggestion would be to see if there is someone in the UK with Signature or Anniversary electronics that is near enough and try to get together see how they sound. I am not familier with distances over there but I do know there are a fair number of folks in the UK that have Alembics.

Keith

valvil · « **Reply #12 on:** February 02, 2006, 04:33:23 PM »

A slight clarification; our non-series pickups are actually 'humcanceling' and not humbucking. The difference is that you can't do a coil tap on humcancelers, but you can on a humbucker.

Valentino

flaxattack · « **Reply #13 on:** February 02, 2006, 07:05:38 PM »

did anyone mention major dollars?

hb3 · « **Reply #14 on:** February 02, 2006, 09:39:49 PM »

here's an audio sample of a stanley clarke custom w/ anniversary electronics...

www.hb3.com/mp3/BASS.mp3

sorry to everybody who's heard this already.

I change the tone settings about halfway through for variation.

make of it what you will. I love the sound of the bass but I've never actually compared it to a Series.