Paul's Custom Series II Mele Aloha

[the_8_string_king]

Another thing to possibly consider, Paul: I know you have an Excell -which doesn't have a filter...
 
Maybe you should either (A) find a store that has an Alembic with a filter or filters (ideally a Series -since that's what you're getting) or (B) ask one of the other members who lives in the islands if you can fly or boat over to them and try their bass(es)... then you'd be able to form your own opionion.
 
I don't live on the islands, but my understanding is it doesn't cost to much to go to one of the other islands.
 
Your custom is surely quite important to you, and you want to make sure you'll be completely satisfied; it might be worth the $ to you to (if necessary) go to another club member and play their bass for a few minutes, and twiddle with the filters to see what YOU think (assuming someone'll let'cha).
 
What better way to answer the question then to play one yourself and see what you think.
 
I personally find the filter & Q setup much more versatile than the standard EQ controls... but they're NOT the same; and I want both.  But that's me.
 
It seems like the best way for you to know how happy/unhappy you'd be with/without them would be to play a bass with the filters -again, preferably a Series, since that's what you're getting.
 
Good luck with it, Paul

[mele_aloha]

Well,
 
That is great feedback from everybody. Thank you all.
 
Ya Mark, that is the total problem is that I am not able to try a Series and that is why I am putting the question out. But you are right. some of our members have contacted me before over on the other islands and I'm sure they would let me try theirs it's just that I am running out of time now because my bass is close to finish.
 
But the opinions above are enough again to relieve me that I will be OK- I think. It sounds like the filters really add that boost. It's just that I can't quite grasp the concept of the filters as I'm sure they are fine but just in my head I can't grasp turning them down/eliminating sound/tone. It's hard for me to understand that.
 
With tone knobs you retain the frequencies and just add or subtract the intensity where with the filters you are actually eliminating anything above a certain level.
 
Oh well, I trust that it will be OK otherwise everybody wouldn't be telling me I'm going to fall in Love with it, etc.
 
Ahhhh, I think I just got it! Because you leave filters more open and adjust with the volume knob. Now I think I am getting it. I'm sure it's going to take some time to get used to!
 
 
 
Thanks again, P

[82daion]

The filters roll off above the cutoff point at something like 12dB/octave, IIRC, so they don't eliminate everything above the cutoff point. It's a progressive removal.  
 
It's hard to explain, but easy to hear-I imagine it'll make more sense when you get the bass in your hands. It's like a much more precise passive tone control, with the added advantage of the Q-switch.

[deburgh]

I actually had similar concerns with my series II that I have on order, and I must admit seeing the information posted in your thread here has helped ease my mind quite a bit also. So thanks to you Paul for asking the question before I did, and thanks also to all that answered

[mele_aloha]

Well, that's great deburgh. Thanks 82daion, that is probably the best description to help me understand. I know there must be a reason that they don't put the tone controls on standard but yet as I say that I don't take away from Mark's want to have one, I just think I will be fine without it and bottom line is if I really need them I can send it back and have them installed.
 
Much appreciated 82, Thank you very much for your time, Paul

[the_8_string_king]

Paul, the biggest difference between the filters and EQ controls (bass & treble) is that EQ controls work VERTICALLY (up & down) while the filters work HORIZONTALLY.
 
The bass & treble controls RAISE or LOWER their specific frequencies... and they do it without affecting other frequencies.
 
The low pass filter moves SIDEWAYS... with the Q control off/at 0 dbs... it is entirely passive... as you roll the filter, you cut more and more frequencies... first the upper highs, then the middle highs, then the lower highs, then the upper mids, then the middle mids, etc...
 
The Q puts a boost on the frequency selected by the filter.
 
You have to hear it to appreciate it.  It affects the sound in a more fundamental way than EQ controls; with the filter and Q, you bass can sound like a dozen different instruments.  With EQ controls, it'll always sound like the same instrument... just with more or less bass and/or treble.
 
The down side with the filters is this: if you want to, let's say, boost the bass... the ONLY way you can do it is to roll the filter down to the lowest frequencies and boost the Q... which means you're CUTTING the frequencies above the frequency you're boosting.
 
I personally don't like this.  I want to be able to boost my bass WITHOUT affecting the other frequencies if I so desire... and you simply can't do that without EQ controls.  This is why I insist on having them on my bass.
 
On the other hand, the filter & Q setup IS more versatile... and any decent amp has EQ controls on it; so, worst case scenario, you just have to reach over and tweak the EQ controls on your amp.  Not the end of the world.
 
For me, I want additional EQ controls onboard... on the bass itself.  But not everyone is me... which is good, because I'd get sick and tired of addressing everyone as you handsome clone!!!  Plus, it would be really disturbing dealing with my girlfriend...

[foth]

You're gonna love your Series II, Paul, with or without boost/cuts!  Make sure you tell the boss you need the day off when it arrives.  It's that different.

[mele_aloha]

Hey Foth,
 
You guys have me so excited that I am shaking in my boots with anticipation. The good news is I am the boss, well at least my wife is-so I will be sitting here for a while with that thing on my lap, believe me!  
 
As you all know I am addicted to this forum and discussion as it is one way of holding on to the future when the baby arrives.
 
What's so funny is that I spend more time in here than on my bass right now as I just sit and dream about the new sound coming.
 
I purchased a sf-2 to improve on my Excel's sound to try and get it closer to the real thing. And believe me, I haven't heard to many basses that sound as good as my Excel.  
 
Mark is in my opinion doing a really great thing by adding a Fatboy to his new bass as my Fatboy on my excel makes a better sound than my Epic has with two pickups. The Fatboy is incredible! The only thing is I would have added it to the neck position not the bridge position because I believe the AXY's/MXY's have plenty of high capacity but I like the improvement of the Fatboy for it's remarkable low low bottom capability. So I think it would serve better in the neck position. But we all have our own reasons and knowing Mark he will be coming back here to set me straight on his reason and I will be learning something tonite. It's kind of nice as I always get to learn something from Mark. He has been very very helpful in my bass design and order.
 
Thanks, Paul

[the_8_string_king]

Hey thanks, Paul, that's nice of you to say.  Others here have been very generous with their knowledge, and in the spirit of reciprocity and karma, I try to share what I have to offer with others who are deserving and appreciative -as others have done with me.
 
My reasons... well, this would be an example of what I've just said.  I'd never heard a Fatboy... but I'd seen them referred to on other threads, and became curious.  I asked the club members about it, and for advice on using them.  I got several opinions; it seems like a lot of people like 'em; some people like 'em on both pickups; other people like them on the bridge pickup, but think they're too much for the neck pickup.
 
Anyway, one piece of advice I got -which seemed to make a lot of sense- was to order my bass with a Fatboy for the bridge pickup, and the standard pickup for the neck... and to specify wiring length for each pickup, so that I could experiment and switch them... to form my own conclusion.
 
So that's exactly what I did!  This just made perfect sense.  So that's why I ordered a (just one) Fatboy for the bridge pickup.  With one of each, I'll be in a perfect position to swap them and see exactly what the difference is in sound.  Then, should I desire, I can buy an additional pickup of either kind should I desire... and sell or trade the pickup I don't want to another club member.
 
(Thanks again for the advice guys!  I'm sorry, I don't remember everyone who answered my request for info at this point... I know Joey did, and I think Tom and a couple other people did too... but it's been a while.)
 
Anyway, that's it, Paul.  Thanks again for your nice comments... and thanks again everyone else for helping to teach and educate me about these things.  Like Paul, I'm grateful for the input of the other club members here, and for their invaluable opinions and experience, which have helped shape my new custom.
 
Paul, your bass looks incredibly fabulous... it doesn't look like you'll have to wait TOO much longer!!!
 
(Message edited by the 8 string king on September 18, 2007)

[the_8_string_king]

Hey, Paul, in case you're curious, I went digging and found the thread I was referring to (about the Fatboys): http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/34805.html?1167957354
 
Okay, I'm going, don't want to hijack your FTC thread TOO much!!! LOL

[mele_aloha]

Hey Marky,
 
I just wrote you on your post but great! I remember you asking Mica to make the wires longer and that is perfect so you can reverse it and try out the fatboy in either position if you want But no matter what, I think you are going to be happier with that fatboy in one of the positions cuz it is amazing what it sounds like on my Excel. And now that I read that post that jacko put up for us it makes sense. And bottom line is if you didn't you could always buy an AXY and replace it.
 
And I didn't tell you guys but about a month ago I bought a Epic on ebay and I honestly can't say if it's the wood or the neck or the neck wood or what but my Excel actually has very clearer highs and lows with one pick up than the Epic. But like I say, I don't know for sure but my suspicions tell me that the fatboy is the main difference and I am almost 99% sure of that.  
 
So I know you are going to be very happy

[mele_aloha]

Hey Raging Michael Bass,
 
If you are out there, I am so glad that you posted that picture of your bass in my thread here so we could look at it. Could you post a couple more of your favorites like the ones that you took when it came home?  
 
It livens up the thread a little (gives me my fix) while I am scrolling through my thread.  
 
Hope you are there and thanks for the lastpost. I had written you a huge reply to the last post you sent me with the picture but my computer flaked and I lost it and the magic just wasn't there on the second reply. You know what I mean? Just awesome being a member of the family whether nephew, son, baby, the point is, I couldn't resist the body style. In fact, I meant to ask you how is the neck dive? Is it really missing the balance design? Do you struggle with the bass being unbalanced is what I'm asking?
 
Le me kno-you da man
 
Thanks so much, Paulo

[mica]

Lexi was fitting the backplates here:

  and now your bass is officially in spray:

  Even with just one coat of sealer, the Quilted Coco Bolo POPS!

  "Looking good" just seems like an understatement.

[tbrannon]

Looking good!!!

[82daion]

That's going to be incredible when it's finished.
 
Congratulations, Paul!