Author Topic: Questions About Brown Bass upgrade (Read 213 times)

echo008 · « **on:** September 01, 2004, 08:30:05 AM »

Hi,
Well...instead of ordering a custom I just went ahead and PIcked up a sweet little brown bass....I used to own a similar one and have missed it terribly ever since I got rid of it.
anyway.....
what I would like to know is, the cost of a series 1 upgrade? or if it is even possible for my bass, I really have no immediate plans to do this but I would really like any and all info regarding this.
I mean, I know it can be done... but it seems like the BB's I saw that had that option, already had a dummy humcanceller installed between the pickups, and that the space between the PUP's was wider than my BB's PUP's? am I just seeing things?
I also have LED's so there is a switch on either side of the 1/4 inch jack (one for mono/stereo and one for LED's) would this also limit me somehow in the placement of the 5 pin output?
thanks
- Tom

David Houck · « **Reply #1 on:** September 01, 2004, 08:58:31 AM »

Tom, although your question is probably best answered by one of the Alembic folks, here's what I've been told. Basses that are built for Series electronics have deeper bodies, top to back, than other Alembics; and they are deeper because the electronics require it. Thus, I've been told, Series electronics can not be retrofitted into other Alembic bodies; there is not enough room top to back.

Dave

echo008 · « **Reply #2 on:** September 01, 2004, 09:31:32 AM »

Hi Dave,
Does that mean that the small standard bodied series basses have deeper bodies, than a regular small standard?
I admittedly have never seen a small standard series 1 but I was under the impression that anniversery electronics can be upgraded, it pretty much is almost series 1 anyway...
- Tom

bassman10096 · « **Reply #3 on:** September 01, 2004, 10:01:27 AM »

Hi Tom: When I ordered my bass, I originally planned to do anniversary electronics with preparations for upgrade to S2. When this option is ordered, a thicker body is built and additional routing and component installation is done.

Here's where I may have the wrong impression, but it certainly seems worth asking about: Mica told me at the time that many, but not all, non-series bass bodies lacked the depth required to fit series components. If I got this straight, it seems worth asking Mica directly. I'd imagine there may be a standard answer for small standard bodies or that with measurements and pictures, she could at least venture an opinion about your bass.

Bill

echo008 · « **Reply #4 on:** September 01, 2004, 10:25:32 AM »

hey ....thanks for the info Bill
It would seem then that you must specify before the bass is built that you intend to upgrade to series electronics later...
for myself its more curiosity than anything else at this point... I love the anniversary setup.
My thinking was that since the anniversary electronics are so close to series that the upgrade would not involve too much!!! but of course thats just my wild speculation.
- Tom

mica · « **Reply #5 on:** September 01, 2004, 11:28:28 AM »

Actually, a typical Brown Bass has the thicker body and would handle a set up Series I electronics. The worst case, you might have to route a backplate for the preamp card on the upper body half.

We try to make the bodies as thin as possible to combat the weight issue. For the Series I and II, the pots themselves are physically larger and taller, so they need a thicker body than the components in other electronics models.

Price is, well, pricey. Series I electronics are 4300. This includes the pickups, electronics, power supply, cables, and calibration. You'd need to have a hum x cavity routed, and we'll need to drill mounting and access holes in the main backplate for the preamp unless we need to route an additional cavity with a new backplate on the upper body half. Installation would range from about $150-500 depending on the exact circumstances of your bass.

If you want to discuss it in more detail, please email help@alembic.com and we can excahnge some specific information that we can get you a firm price quote for the job and arrange for servicing.

Then you need to figure out what to do with your surplus pickups and Anniversary electronics.

bassman10096 · « **Reply #6 on:** September 01, 2004, 11:29:09 AM »

Though the controls and adjustment capabilities are similar between anniversary and series electronics, that's where the similarity ends (maybe they could use the same knobs a bass had). The change to series requires installation of the third, humcancelling non pickup and circuits, all new preamp and new single coil pickups. Even the power source has to change from 9 to 18 volts. The series components take up space in compartments routed on both sides of the neck. If you look at the backs of a signature and a series bass, the shapes and sizes of the instrument compartments tell the story.

echo008 · « **Reply #7 on:** September 01, 2004, 11:45:55 AM »

Thanks Mica...for the inside info.
I am now thinking that I am going to just enjoy what I have. Maybe my next Alembic will be a series
again thanks alot

You are right Bill the similarities between series and anniversary electronics end quite abruptly!!! Interesting nonetheless
thanks for your help
- Tom