Author Topic: Thoughts on East-Meets-West Electronics (Read 708 times)

edwardofhuncote · « **on:** January 09, 2015, 10:29:49 AM »

There doesn't seem to be as much interest in the EMW electronics package as with Signature or Series... I'm wondering if some of you having experience with this (dare I say hybrid) electronics package might be willing to share a few thoughts or comparisons.

My firsthand Alembic experience thus far being limited to an older Distillate I played many years ago, and more recently, my Persuader 5 with an added 3 position Q-switch. (making it sort of an Elan plus)

I read this:

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

and every other thread I could find related. From what I can understand, having the feature of a universal Filter used in combination with Bass & Treble Boost/Cut, plus a master volume and the ability to pan between neck and bridge pickups... it just seems like this would be the perfect combination for me.

adriaan · « **Reply #1 on:** January 09, 2015, 10:59:51 AM »

I would think it's actually similar to the Distillate setup, but with bass and treble pots instead of the bost/cut switches, and a pan instead of a pickup switch.

keith_h · « **Reply #2 on:** January 09, 2015, 03:58:25 PM »

Gregory,
Adriaan has a pretty good comparison of EMW to a Distallate. Your link describes the idea behind the EMW package. I went with EMW for my fretless Orion which you can see here. I like it a lot as the bass/treble controls let me set the tone I am looking for while the filter gives me a pretty simple mechanism to alter the tone while I play. As far as the pan control goes it is nice in that I can adjust the pickup mix without affecting the over all volume but to me V/V or pan is a wash. If I had to rank my basses in order of favorite to least favorite it would be my Series 1 ( there's something about single coil pickups), fretless Orion, Brown Bass and fretted 5-string Orion.

I don't think you can go wrong with EMW electronics or any Alembic package for that matter. What it really boils down to is what is within your budget.

Keith

mtjam · « **Reply #3 on:** January 09, 2015, 04:16:46 PM »

Big fan of EMW here! Had an Orion with that setup, and tonight I'll be playing my EVH with EMW. I don't play this bass as much as my Series basses, just because it's my newest one and has yet to get its first ding! Will report back in later with more!

mtjam · « **Reply #4 on:** January 10, 2015, 05:23:18 AM »

I like the control of my sound that I get with EMW electronics. Having bass and treble cut and boost enables me to set them exactly where I want them, similar to having CVQs instead of 3-position Q-switches. I also enjoy blending the pickups. When I play my Series basses, I tend to have both pickups at max volume. If I turn one down, I lose some of my overall volume. That's not an issue with the blend.

Does anyone know where EMW fits into the electronics pricing hierarchy? I would think they fall in between Europa//Rogue and Signature. If I ever have a custom built, I would definitely consider EMW.

I started out with a Distillate, and while I like being able to make quick changes with those switches, I prefer the concise tone-shaping capabilities of East Meets West electronics.

edwardofhuncote · « **Reply #5 on:** January 10, 2015, 07:42:00 AM »

What mtjam said^^^.

Thanks for the feedback folks - keep it coming. What kind of gigs are you playing, what are the limitations, live, studio? Any thoughts appreciated.

I hadn't really thought about the EMW similarities with Distillate models, but you're right. The Distillate I played belonged to a CC artist in Nashville about 20 years ago, and I don't remember specifics... just that it was the best feeling and sounding bass guitar I'd ever played. It was a brief, but very impressionable encounter. Some of you know exactly what I mean.

Just from a practicality standpoint, and based on what/where/how/who I play with, even removing realistic budgetary constraints, this seems the most logical package for me. I'm not a tweak and twiddle player, I seldom if ever solo... heck, I don't even like to change my amp settings. I do like to dial in my happy bass sound and play all night. I'm primarily a supporting musician, with fairly simple needs, but then these low pass filters came along...

edwardofhuncote · « **Reply #6 on:** February 24, 2015, 07:38:46 AM »

Gotta bump this thread with a question...

What's are some preferred pickup sets for use with E-M-W electronics? Mixed set between bridge and neck, or same-same? As stated before, my needs are simple, and my sonic tastes biased more to the bassier side.

I'd really appreciate any firsthand, practical experience from you guys using this setup.

keith_h · « **Reply #7 on:** February 24, 2015, 08:34:24 AM »

My Orion has the standard MXY4 in the standard body cavity locations and I can get plenty of bass. Even with the flat wounds strings I use on the fretless I can still get a decent slap sound. The Orion controls page gives the technical info. To the best of my knowledge the numbers will be the same with the addition of the filter in the EMW package.

Keith

edwardofhuncote · « **Reply #8 on:** February 25, 2015, 07:14:42 AM »

Keith, your Orion Nebula is one of my favorite Alembics ever, and also one of the first times I became aware of E-M-W, which is kinda' how I ended up here anyway.

How about the AXY's or FatBoys? I saw where a couple folks on here recently switched out neck pickups. Joey's Big Red Spoiler immediately comes to mind, also Bassman's (recently sold) Spoiler. I'm just thinking FatBoys might be bass response overkill. OTOH, with E-M-W, I'd have a bass cut, but that seems kinda' self-defeating...

bigredbass · « **Reply #9 on:** February 25, 2015, 08:56:40 AM »

I've always had a daydream of a converted StingRay Five, with EMW: One FatBoy (in a MM-shape), replace the MM setup with EMW (v-f-b-t) and rewire the 3-way switch to standby-filter engage-b/t engage. That EB is offering them now in a neckthru option makes this all the more tempting.

I'm a less is more guy (you guys with Series axes thru a SuperFilter must have the patience of Job), but I think even my simple self could hang with the above.

I never considered it for my custom; for me, it had to be filters only for it to say ALEMBIC to me.

In my experience, there's way more than an axe or its' pickups as to how 'bassy' it's going to sound. Unplugged, any bass essentially has no tone. Hands, picks, strings, technique, amp, cabinets, it's a long recipe . . . .

Joey

FC Bass · « **Reply #10 on:** February 26, 2015, 01:52:50 PM »

I have started on my Orion 5, It will fit without modification of the cavity :-) Here's my take:

Note: I put a pick (Dunlop Tortex bass pick)between the filter and cavity side to make sure there will be no shortet circuit there. Will look like this on the front when finished:

So for now I will have to do with an Essence + Q set. I'm gonna need the "EMW conversion cable" a new collet knob and I think I will order a new Q switch (the one that's in there now is home made non original) I don't think the 3 way switch will fit, will check that next week. (Message edited by fc_spoiler on February 26, 2015)

edwardofhuncote · « **Reply #11 on:** February 26, 2015, 02:21:54 PM »

Now that's what I call a tight fit Flip.

Hey, if you need some, I have 3 of the brand-new collet knobs that came with my set of activators last summer. I'd be glad to send them to you... heck I owe you at least that for all the help on that job.

FC Bass · « **Reply #12 on:** March 10, 2015, 06:47:45 PM »

:-) Here's everything fitted and almost ready to go:

Thanx for the Knobs Gregory! I need to resolder the bass unit (wires came loose during the fitting process) and replace the Q switch with an original one + install the EMW conversion cable. (did you see my mail Mica?)

edwardofhuncote · « **Reply #13 on:** March 11, 2015, 04:55:02 AM »

Just passing it on FC... glad you could use them.

Nice job on the retrofit.

keith_h · « **Reply #14 on:** March 11, 2015, 05:19:06 AM »

Looks good Flip.

The only suggestion I have based on the picture is you might want to add an insulator between the pan and bass/treble control circuit boards. If the nuts ever loosen and the boards accidentally touch electrical connections it could damage the circuits.

Keith