Author Topic: Stratocaster with activators: high e string not as loud (Read 281 times)

tdukes · « **on:** June 22, 2009, 07:32:35 AM »

I bought some used activators (thread here) and sent them back to Alembic for repairs (and had the 3-way q switch installed). I have gotten them back and reinstalled.

They sound great and I am really happy with the addition of the q-switch. But the highest pitch E string is not as loud as the other strings and has a different sound on the attack. It is most pronounced on the bridge pickup. Has anyone else noticed this with Alembic activators on a stratocaster?

I looked a the picture Bill posted on the thread where I bought these and it didn't look like he had tilted the bridge pickup so that it is closer to the high E string. Should I try that? Any other suggestions?

Thanks,
Todd.

barryr1 · « **Reply #1 on:** June 22, 2009, 08:39:29 AM »

Sounds like you need to raise the treble side of the pickup

jazzyvee · « **Reply #2 on:** June 22, 2009, 09:40:47 AM »

I had the same setup on my strat and yes I did notice the same thing, it's a lower amplitude and duller sound, but only when most of the top end is rolled off by the Low Pass filter. On the brighter settings it's fine.

I just thought that it was to do with the the higher frequencies of the string are being filtered out, and with it not having low frequency components there is less signal available from that string for outputting.

The same situation happens since I have put the filter and switch set up into my Orion guitar. Most of the time I don't have that much top end rolled off so it's rarely a problem.

The sound is very similar to when the string is not being fretted properly and being damped.

fyi: I raised the bridge pickups and it didn't make any difference to the type of tone I was getting off the string.
Jazzyvee

(Message edited by jazzyvee on June 22, 2009)

jazzyvee · « **Reply #3 on:** June 24, 2009, 01:58:12 AM »

(Message edited by jazzyvee on June 24, 2009)

jazzyvee · « **Reply #4 on:** June 24, 2009, 02:08:22 AM »

Todd, I tried this on my series one guitar yesterday and rolled off all the top end and again the e-string sound was not as loud as the other. This happens more as you go up the neck on the E and B strings. When I open the filters up again the output rises. So I think it is just a frequency dependent situation.

Jazzyvee

David Houck · « **Reply #5 on:** June 24, 2009, 11:47:57 AM »

I'm not a guitar player, and I don't own a guitar, so I may be completely off base here, but what I've noticed with my six string is that how the highest string sounds is very dependent on your rig's EQ settings.

For instance, if you are using a Fender style amp (like an F-2B or F-1X), the bass, mid and treble controls are interactive. A slight adjustment to either the mid or treble control will move the entire high end portion of the curve, affecting how the top string sounds. Additionally, if you have an SF-2 in your rig, you can smooth out the high end portion using the high pass filter, making high end response more consistent over a wider range. Working with the F-2B and SF-2 together, you can shape the curve to best support your particular instrument.

cozmik_cowboy · « **Reply #6 on:** June 24, 2009, 01:19:58 PM »

...I don't own a guitar, so I may be completely off base here....

And he resists the cheap pun, ladies and gentlemen! You're a better man than I, Dave - I couldn't have done it.

Peter

jazzyvee · « **Reply #7 on:** June 24, 2009, 02:37:25 PM »

Hi Dave, I was using my Strat with Fender Lace pickups to practice with today and rolled off all the top end on the guitar tone control and volume was still balanced as I would expect across all the strings regardless of the tone setting.

So i think it's something particular to the way alembic electronics work. I suspect they are more precise at cutting off frequencies above the filter position. Whether that is what is desireabled from a players point of view is an individual thing. I would think a player would prefer a consistent relative volume balance between strings as they change tone settings rather than a very noticeable drop off in volume by some strings.

I'm sure there is an Alembic electronics expert here who can elighten us.

Jazzyvee

David Houck · « **Reply #8 on:** June 24, 2009, 03:07:09 PM »

Peter; lol !!!

Jazzyvee; my point is that how your rig is setup can have a lot to do with whether you get a consistent relative volume balance between strings as they change tone settings. Again, I could be wrong about that; my experience is limited to working with my bass and my rig.

lbpesq · « **Reply #9 on:** June 24, 2009, 06:19:44 PM »

I too have experienced this phenomenon on my Further and, to a lesser extent, on my Series I. I really notice it when using an envelope follower - the high E doesn't set the envelope off as much as the other strings unless I play it extra hard. I've even been in discussions with Alembic about this. I never noticed the position of the filter having an effect on it though. I'll have to check it out tonight.

Bill, tgo