Author Topic: 1982 Spoiler Q switch (Read 554 times)

slo_mo_shun · « **on:** August 10, 2015, 08:05:28 AM »

Hi folks.

Im about to pull the trigger on buying an '82 Spoiler that's been around the block more than once, and I'm looking for some simple (hopefully) info. By way of background, my previous Alembic experience consists of outfitting a Fender Jazz with the Alembic plug-in replacement system. This was about 30 years ago and that bass is long gone, so forgive my failing memory and unfamiliarity with Alembic-speak.

Anyway, the Spoiler's on-board EQ is limited to a 2-position Q switch. I distinctly recall that the system in the old Fender had a continuous rotary control that could be used to create a wah-wah effect. I loved it, not for the effect, but for its ability to dial in just the right tone for whatever piece the band was playing. The 2-position switch isn't nearly as flexible.

So my questions:
1. Can the 2-position switch be upgraded to the continuous rotary control?
2. If yes, is this a simple plug-in procedure or is it more complicated?
3. If yes, What is the cost of the upgraded part?

adriaan · « **Reply #1 on:** August 10, 2015, 08:56:01 AM »

Hi Jim,

Welcome to the Club! The Activators you had in the Jazz had a preamp with a filter knob (the one that goes wah as you turn it). The good news about the Spoiler is that it has the same filter knob, but with the Q switch you get to choose to have the wah full on (8 dB of boost on top of the natural bump at the break-off frequency of the low-pass filter, as with the Activators) or less pronounced (just the natural bump).

There is a continuous version of the Q switch, but it is available only with Series electronics. Most players seem to be fine with the standard two-position Q switch (0 or 8 dB boost at the break-off frequency of the filter) though I prefer a three-position Q switch (0, 3 or 6 dB, another version has 0, 6 or 9 dB). I had my Spoiler electronics modded with a pickup blend too, instead of the standard pickup switch (four-way including a mute position). Another nice thing about the Spoiler package is that you can set the individual output level for each pickup.

Once you have the bass in hand, and you feel you may need to tweak the setup just a little, or a lot even - then Joey's Post on Setting Up Your Bass is about the best instruction you could find.

slo_mo_shun · « **Reply #2 on:** August 10, 2015, 09:38:01 AM »

Thanks. I need to look closer at this particular bass because I'm not confident that the electronics are 100% original or 100% working. The filter seemed to be a simple low-pass only (no wah) and the output level was very low--less than a passive Fender. Got a feeling something broke and a previous owner was too cheap to fix it and did some sort of rewire/bypass. I'll also check to see if the volume pots are turned all the way down. The asking price is very low for an Alembic (serial number checks out fine) so i'll probably buy it regardless, but I'd like to get a handle on just what I'm walking into.

sonicus · « **Reply #3 on:** August 10, 2015, 09:49:24 AM »

How old are the strings?
If the strings are dead the electronics will not get any highs to work with. Response characteristics are relative to what you have to work with as a source of the sound for the electronic process and hardware.

keith_h · « **Reply #4 on:** August 10, 2015, 10:35:36 AM »

If you provide a picture of the electronics cavity we should be able to see if they look normal or not.

Keith

slo_mo_shun · « **Reply #5 on:** August 10, 2015, 11:51:14 AM »

How old are the strings? Good question; I have no idea. However, there seemed to be plenty of treble available when I played it, so I don't think that's the issue. i just couldn't get the Q filter to work like anything close to what I recall it should sound like. The control's effect was like an old-fashioned tone pot.
I'd love to snap a pic and post it before buying, but for a number of reasons that possibility isn't open.
Thanks for all of your helpful responses.

StephenR · « **Reply #6 on:** August 10, 2015, 12:37:39 PM »

If you can't confirm that the electronics haven't been changed you may want to get a quote from Alembic to find out how much replacing them (worst case scenario) will add to the buying price before you make your final decision. I see lots of Spoilers for sale at reasonable prices that have intact electronics. Best to call for a quote, much more reliable than making a request by email.

Whatever you decide good luck with the bass and post some pictures if you buy it.

bigredbass · « **Reply #7 on:** August 10, 2015, 10:16:19 PM »

As far as the low output goes, here's your chance to look in the back: I can easily believe the 9v is going, going. So . . . . I'd take a new 9v with you and offer to install it so you can hear that everything's working properly. Be sure and take a small Phillips screwdriver for the screws in the back plate.

And take a very small blade screwdriver with you:

Once the back's off, and you change the battery, look for two little blue boxes on one of the boards. These are trim pots and you should see a little white circle on each, with a slot for your screwdriver. IF these are turned back towards 9 o'clock (most would typically run them at 12 to 3 o'clock), that state plus a faded 9v would easily get you a relatively low output.

Spoilers are almost 'un-Alembic' with only 2 knobs (this does tend to eat on the ego of the knob-challenged . . . . ), but it's very useable, and one of the few applications I can think of with active pickups and a traditional tone knob, when the Q is off.

Joey

(Message edited by bigredbass on August 10, 2015)

slo_mo_shun · « **Reply #8 on:** August 11, 2015, 07:39:05 AM »

one of the few applications I can think of with active pickups and a traditional tone knob, when the Q is off.

Can you explain this statement, as this seems to be what was happening (partially)? The knob that should have been giving me a parametric sweep (wah) was acting purely like a traditional tone knob, no matter what other settings I used on the bass. The Q switch had an affect on the midrange, but the Q filter effect never kicked in. Are you saying the Q switch turns the active filter circuit off and turns the knob into a simple tone control?

If so, makes me wonder if the preamp for that circuit isn't dead, so I was getting a simple tone control even when the Q switch was feeding power to the preamp.

The music store said it had a new battery. When they got the bass it was not working and their tech person did enough to get output but didn't want to do anything more without a better understanding of what he was working on.

FC Bass · « **Reply #9 on:** August 11, 2015, 08:04:02 AM »

The Q switch adds a boost at the frequency cutoff setting of the filter, that's why you should hear the wah effect when the Q is on.

Pictures would be very helpful, you can mail them to my address (in my profile) if you can't get them to the right size. ;-)

bigredbass · « **Reply #10 on:** August 11, 2015, 10:41:30 AM »

Excuse me slo, my bad, I always get that 'Q off' part wrong:

http://club.alembic.com/Images/16271/16327.html?1107554623

Joey

mica · « **Reply #11 on:** August 12, 2015, 01:32:40 PM »

We do need to see a picture of what's under the hood to make sure what's there is correct.

Also, an 82 Spoiler will have less output than a current model, even if you crank up the internal trimpots. These electronics will require a fairly inexpensive RF upgrade (~$125) and we modify to increase the gain while the electronics are here.

The tone control is a low-pass filter. It works the same way regardless of where the Q-switch is, that is to say you select a frequency with the control, and ones below that point are passed. The Q is an attribute of the filter. When the Q switch is off, you get the flat filter response. When the Q switch is on (down in a typical install) there is a 8dB boost right at the cut-off frequency you have the filter tuned to.

With the Q on, if you rotate the filter while sustaining a note you will hear the wah-wah.

If you sustain a note and flick the switch up and down... not so much! The Q impacts the attack of the note primarily. It's a subtle but musically useful control.

There isn't any settings that behave like traditional tone controls, and there is no active/passive mode - all active all the time. Oh yeah, with the upgrade, we change the IC to a low-drain version so you only have to change the battery once or twice a year, instead of every month.

terryc · « **Reply #12 on:** August 12, 2015, 01:57:42 PM »

Slo mo shun....Galadriel of Alembic has spoken wise words, it is advised you take heed or your low filter 'WILL NOT PASS!'
Alembic will restore the magic of your bass sword so you can fight of the orcs and trolls of the passive world.