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fwiw I *really* like the Pope preamp in the Foderas (which I assume is pretty close to the Flexcore). I'm running it with both EMG PJ and SD dual coils. You should also be able to switch frequencies with moving the jumpers on the board around. I've only got a single mid knob but do have a two position freq switch and those centers can be changed with jumpers on the board. Interested to hear how it works in the Roscoe.
Yeah Todd, the ability to tweak the Flexcore freq. centers via the jumpers really pushed me over the edge on the Pope. I'm really looking forward to hearing it in the LG-3006.
I'll also get a chance to compare it to the Pope pre in the Fodera at he GTG next month. Deon (Sha) is bringing his Fodera.
The Pope preamp arrived yesterday. I was a bit surprised that it arrived in pieces, as BBG had stated that Max would configure it and ship it after he assembled it.
No big deal, just a surprise.
Very easy install though. The only glitch would be that I need to get some longer battery leads. They are just barely long enough to reach the battery compartment and I don't have enough excess to allow easy battery installation. Not a biggy though.
I only got to play the bass through the amp for a few minutes but the my first impression is very good. Very glassy sounding highs (i.e Demeter) , nice smooth mids and nice smooth tight lows. I haven't connected the mid sw. up yet. I want to play it for a while without it and see if I think that I need it. I might also take out the active/passive sw. and just install the mid sw. instead as I've never had a real need for a passive mode before.
I do like the sounds available by tweaking the passive tone control. I guess that will stay if I remove the active/passive sw. I certainly hope so.
I'll add more detail comments after I get a chance to record and play out with it.
I've had a little bit of time to play the Roscoe though an amp with the Pope preamp installed and I am impressed. I believe that I finally found a blend of the best preamps (IMO). It sounds like a Demeter with Bart mids. And it can get close to the aggression of the Aguliar too.
Incredible sounding preamp! The passive tone control works in both the passive and active mode (I did chose to disable the passive mode in favor of a mid switch on the hi mids). The PTC really works great in smoothing out any harshness in the tone. Very nice subtle control.
I may add the passive sw. later but I'm just not sure that I'd use it much and didn't really want to drill another hole.
I've always loved the mids of the Bart and loved the glassy highs of the Demeter but until now I just couldn't find a preamp that merged those 2 characteristics.
And it's very quiet too.
I'll make some sound clips later this evening and post them.
I'll also report back on how it does in a live mix this weekend. I think I can predict that though. This preamp has no problem producing incredible mids and we all know that mids produce the cutting magic in a live gig. I really looking forward to gigging it out.
Here's a picture of the control cavity with the Pope Flexcore installed and also a pic of the top with the 3 sets of concentric knobs and single (blend).
I'll also report back on how it does in a live mix this weekend. I think I can predict that though. This preamp has no problem producing incredible mids and we all know that mids produce the cutting magic in a live gig. I really looking forward to gigging it out.
A little mids goes a LONG way in the FlexCore too. Start flat and bring it in ever so slightly as needed. The upper and lower low mid will make it take up a little more space but it in different ways...less transparency, the lower hi mid will make it bark through particularly if you're playing bridge pickup favored, and the upper high mid will just push the whole thing forward in the mix a few feet. With the upper high mid, you'll may find that just off the detent is pretty close to enough.
If the upper high makes it sound nasal or harsh, try adding a bit of treble to open up the highs. gotta have enough upper harmonics for the high mids to make sense.
With the upper high mid, you'll may find that just off the detent is pretty close to enough.
If the upper high makes it sound nasal or harsh, try adding a bit of treble to open up the highs. gotta have enough upper harmonics for the high mids to make sense.
This is dead on, I run my upper mid either just behind or just forward of the detent. After I have the preamp set, I find myself using the passive/active tone control the most. I get a lot of compliments of how clear the bass can be heard. The cool thing, it still growls like a Roscoe.
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Isaiah 38:20 - Pretty sure King David would have played a Roscoe.
If you're not rocking a Roscoe - You're just not rocking!
Well, crud. Now I'm going to have to try one of these.
I've got no complaints with my current Nordstrand preamp in King Koa, but it's also not setting my world on fire. What you're describing as this being a mix of the Bart and the Demeter is very interesting. I'm not a huge fan of either of those for the same reasons you mention - I like parts of them, but not the overall thing.
Well, crud. Now I'm going to have to try one of these.
I've got no complaints with my current Nordstrand preamp in King Koa, but it's also not setting my world on fire. What you're describing as this being a mix of the Bart and the Demeter is very interesting. I'm not a huge fan of either of those for the same reasons you mention - I like parts of them, but not the overall thing.
Sigh. Here we go again.
lol
I hear you Greg!
Here's a version of Polo Man with all parts played on the Roscoe LG-3006 with the Pope preamp installed.
I've got to add that it was so easy to dial in tones with this preamp. Even the slap tone. And it was all quick and dirty as they say.
Well - now for the million dollar question. Which modules did you decide on?!? Man, this thing is super flexible/configurable. Did you make it 4 bands with a passive tone control?!?
I might have to try one of these in my 3005 J. That bass and I have been having a love/hate relationship for some time now. It hasn't seen a gig in months. I love it at home, love the playability, but am not crazy about it in a live setting.
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Roscoe Century 3005 #6091/Roscoe Century 3005-J #6264/Roscoe Century 3005-JM #6393/Eden WT1205/ Eden D610XST
Well - now for the million dollar question. Which modules did you decide on?!? Man, this thing is super flexible/configurable. Did you make it 4 bands with a passive tone control?!?
Greg,
I went with this configuration:
Mike Pope Flexcore - Core 2stk.2stk
2-Pickup, 4-Knob*, 1-Switch
Master Volume/Passive Tone stacked control
Pickup Blend control
Treble/Bass stacked control
Hi Mid/Lo Mid stacked control
Active/Passive toggle switch
Mid toggle switch
I installed the Mid switch on the hi mids for now. It's simple to move it to the lo mids (simply remove the access cover and move the harness connector plug to the lo mid connector on the Mid module).
I also didn't install the active/passive sw. yet. I tried it (and it sounded very nice with the passive tone control) but I'm not sure if I want another switch yet. I'd probably only use it during an active preamp failure. It did work nicely with the Bart CB's though.
Mike Pope Flexcore - Core 2stk.2stk
2-Pickup, 4-Knob*, 1-Switch
Master Volume/Passive Tone stacked control
Pickup Blend control
Treble/Bass stacked control
Hi Mid/Lo Mid stacked control
Active/Passive toggle switch
Mid toggle switch
I installed the Mid switch on the hi mids for now. It's simple to move it to the lo mids (simply remove the access cover and move the harness connect onr plug up or down on the Mid module).
I also didn't install the active/passive sw. yet. I tried it (and it sounded very nice with the passive tone control) but I'm not sure if I want another switch yet. I'd probably only use it during an active preamp failure. It did work nicely with the Bart CB's though.
I have visions of drilling two more holes. It's be nice to have a mid switch for both the upper and the lower mids, and I'd love a kill switch. But I don't think I'll end up doing that. I'd probably end up with just one switch (which I already have a hole for) for the low mids...
Could definitely hear a difference in your versions of polo man. The pope sounds great! I liked the difference in the slap tones as well. Looking forward to the gtg.
Dude, Joe. You now have growl and clarity! Not to say it wasn't there before. There seems to be more of it now. There is an incredible definition to your tone. Awesone stuff Mr. Pontiff!
Joe, I'm digging that slap part at the end. It's well placed and has aggressive bite without getting thin. My bass is in the shop right now being rewired to single coil. I always cut tons of bass in my clips to get close to where I want to be. It's a bit too thin though. Now you got me thinkin'. My bass set up single coil with his Holinesses pre-amp...
^^^ Yeah guys, this preamp is a winner for sure. The more that I play it through my GB/Berg rig the more impressed that I am.
I think that you'd both definitely like the sound of this preamp in your Roscoe's. You can shape the tone any way imaginable.
thepontif,
You guys did a great job on this pre. So many options. It can easily be tailored for each players specific needs/preferences.
And thanks for the tip. I can certainly see where a large boost of the hi mids (of this preamp) could easily stand up the hair of everyone in the first 8 to 10 rows the venue! I'm going to try it this weekend with the mid switch on the hi mids and then maybe try it next weekend with the switch on the lo mids. I need to see which way is most useful. Having 2 center point choices in the lo band might be more useful.
Shoot, I just may end up going crazy and do what Greg stated which is install a switch for both the hi & lo mid controls.
If I do that I might as well install the active/passive switch too!
