Roscoe Demeter Preamp

Alphaman · #1 07-11-2009, 11:35 PM

I just played a Roscoe with a Demeter preamp that is killer! When you hit a solo in the high register it sings! How does someone obtain a Roscoe Demeter preamp? Are they still available or just on the black market?

CrashClint · #2 07-12-2009, 10:27 AM

You can order one from Demeter, they will tell you it will take about a week, forget that, it takes 4-6 weeks to get it and you have to stay on top of them by calling 805-461-4100 and asking about it every few days.

There are not too many on the black market, people like me have bought them all.

I now have two used ones hidden away for a rainy day.

The Demeter sounds great with Roscoe Barts, CBs and Nords. The Nords and the Demeter is really modern sounding, but I am thinking the CBs and the Demeter is probably the best sound. I sold my LG3005 that had that combination and it was just a funk machine. I have been really considering taking my Nords out of my SKB and installing the spare set of CBs I have. The Demeter also sound really good with the Standard Roscoe Barts, it kind of shifts the sound from a P bass to more of a J bass, but slightly compressed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alphaman

I just played a Roscoe with a Demeter preamp that is killer! When you hit a solo in the high register it sings! How does someone obtain a Roscoe Demeter preamp? Are they still available or just on the black market?

JOME77 · #3 07-12-2009, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrashClint

You can order one from Demeter, they will tell you it will take about a week, forget that, it takes 4-6 weeks to get it and you have to stay on top of them by calling 805-461-4100 and asking about it every few days.

Actually the last one that I ordered was at my house in 7 days from the day I ordered it. The one before it did take about 4 weeks. I ordered it from James. Diane took my order on the last one.

I guess it's true, "the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world"!

Alphaman · #4 07-12-2009, 01:14 PM

Thanks guys! I'll have to call them up tomorrow and ask for The hand that rocks the cradle!

JOME77 · #5 07-12-2009, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alphaman

Thanks guys! I'll have to call them up tomorrow and ask for The hand that rocks the cradle!

Cool!

Make sure that you specify the Roscoe or Tyler Demeter so that you get the mid switch. The Roscoe version has the mids tuned more in the upper mids while the Tyler version is tuned with more lower mids (a bit smoother sounding). IMO they are that drastically different sounding though.

Alphaman · #6 07-12-2009, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JOME77

Cool!

Make sure that you specify the Roscoe or Tyler Demeter so that you get the mid switch. The Roscoe version has the mids tuned more in the upper mids while the Tyler version is tuned with more lower mids (a bit smoother sounding). IMO they are that drastically different sounding though.

Are you saying the Roscoe Demeter with the switch allows you to boost/cut upper mids with the flip of the switch, where as the Tyler Demeter is the same concept but boosts/cuts at a different frequency?

LightGroove · #7 07-14-2009, 09:01 PM

Alpha the switch on the Roscoe Demeter alternates between 500 and 800hz...its not a boost cut switch...but frequency selector

JOME77 · #8 07-15-2009, 05:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alphaman

Are you saying the Roscoe Demeter with the switch allows you to boost/cut upper mids with the flip of the switch, where as the Tyler Demeter is the same concept but boosts/cuts at a different frequency?

I don't remember James specifically stating that the circuitry that the switch controled was tuned differently (although it may have a different value cap/resisitor). He did stated though that the Roscoe pre was tuned with more variance in the upper mids and the Tyler with more variance in the lower mids. He also stated that to his ear, the lower mids were more musical (probably less honky and smoother sounding).
I believe that he just changed a couple values of cap's, coils and/or resistors on the PCB.
Give him a call. I'm sure that he could clarify the difference.

.....

Well, maybe!

Gard · #9 07-15-2009, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LightGroove

Alpha the switch on the Roscoe Demeter alternates between 500 and 800hz...its not a boost cut switch...but frequency selector

Actually, it does neither frequency selection nor cut/boost. It is a "Q" switch, it changes the bandwidth affected by the mid control. When it sounds less obvious, it is a narrow Q, when it becomes VERY obvious, it is a wide Q. The actual center frequency of that preamp is set and does not change.

JOME77 · #10 07-15-2009, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gard

Actually, it does neither frequency selection nor cut/boost. It is a "Q" switch, it changes the bandwidth affected by the mid control. When it sounds less obvious, it is a narrow Q, when it becomes VERY obvious, it is a wide Q. The actual center frequency of that preamp is set and does not change.

Very interesting. I did not know that. That makes more sense based on what you hear when operating the switch. It's not nearly as pronounced as the switching circuitry of other preamps.

Alphaman · #11 07-15-2009, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gard

Actually, it does neither frequency selection nor cut/boost. It is a "Q" switch, it changes the bandwidth affected by the mid control. When it sounds less obvious, it is a narrow Q, when it becomes VERY obvious, it is a wide Q. The actual center frequency of that preamp is set and does not change.

Thanks! It took me a while to notice any difference with the switch in either position. I just notice more of a bite to the notes when it's in one of the positions. This makes me wonder though, why would someone want the narrow Q or less bandwidth? I just leave it in the same position.

()smoke() · #12 07-15-2009, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alphaman

Thanks! It took me a while to notice any difference with the switch in either position. I just notice more of a bite to the notes when it's in one of the positions. This makes me wonder though, why would someone want the narrow Q or less bandwidth? I just leave it in the same position.

yes, it's very subtle to my ear as well--i like the narrow Q for bridge pickup 'jazz bass' kind of sound, and the wider position to fatten it up more

JOME77 · #13 07-16-2009, 05:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alphaman

Thanks! It took me a while to notice any difference with the switch in either position. I just notice more of a bite to the notes when it's in one of the positions. This makes me wonder though, why would someone want the narrow Q or less bandwidth? I just leave it in the same position.

+1
It's really only noticable when you boost the mid's quite a bit.
I usually keep it in the wide bandwidth position and vary the boost/cut of the mid control. With the mid control in center detent, the switch is a null point anyway.
I will have to say though, since installing the DR Black Beauties, I love the variance that the Demeter mid control provide even more. Regardless of how severe the boost, the mid's remain very musical and it primarily just increases the intensity of the midrange growl. Very nice!