Roscoe with Pope Flexcore preamp (from Roscoe Forum)

[Robin Ruscio]

Originally Posted by JOME77

Jason,
I would think that it would be a good combo. You could also take advantage of the coil tap switch option on the Pope!

That 3006 that on the TB "For Sale" section would be a great one to try it on!

I put some Nord DC's in my Roscoe fretless, and have thought about replacing the Brrt pre with the Pope Flexcore. I have the Pope in my Fodera and find it t be excellent, and i imagine it would pair well with the Nords. The pope has a nice transparent color to it, more than the politeness of the Bart or the slightly harsher demeter, which I used to have in my Roscoe 6 century sig.

Only thing stopping me is I sometimes have thought about trading my Roscoe 35" 5 for a new custom 34". Just about done with all 35" basses these days.

Anyway, if anyone else pairs the Nord DC with the Pope I would love to hear it!

[Aarongermain]

I have installed the Flexcore in my Roscoe 5 string fretless and my 6 string fretted.
Overall, I've very happy. It seems that I cannot get that obnoxious high end finger noise in the high register that we have all heard on 6 six strings, even if try.
However I seem to have lost my ability to get a sharp slapping-popping sound, that I could get before with the bartolini preamp by simply boosting the treble.
With the flexcore, I boost the treble all the way, and it's still not that poppin.
A little perplexed.

[JOME77]

Originally Posted by Aarongermain

I have installed the Flexcore in my Roscoe 5 string fretless and my 6 string fretted.
Overall, I've very happy. It seems that I cannot get that obnoxious high end finger noise in the high register that we have all heard on 6 six strings, even if try.
However I seem to have lost my ability to get a sharp slapping-popping sound, that I could get before with the bartolini preamp by simply boosting the treble.
With the flexcore, I boost the treble all the way, and it's still not that poppin.
A little perplexed.

You may need to remove or install the jumper on the Treble Fc selector jumper terminals (EQ Board). I can't remember which selects the upper High Freq's (jumper installed or jumper NOT installed).
If you didn't purchase and install the configuration with the Active EQ Board then that would be the issue with a lack of glassy highs.
The LG-3006 w/Bart CB's that I installed the Flex Core in had tons of glassy highs.
(http://www.michaelpopedesign.com/ima...ore_manual.pdf

[J2Kbass]

Originally Posted by JOME77

You may need to remove or install the jumper on the Treble Fc selector jumper terminals (EQ Board). I can't remember which selects the upper High Freq's (jumper installed or jumper NOT installed).
If you didn't purchase and install the configuration with the Active EQ Board then that would be the issue with a lack of glassy highs.
The LG-3006 w/Bart CB's that I installed the Flex Core in had tons of glassy highs.
(http://www.michaelpopedesign.com/ima...ore_manual.pdf

Ya Joe, I still remember hearing a NICE slap tone out of the pope pre. That was a beautiful bass!

[Robin Ruscio]

I dont have a flex core, but my Fodera Pope pre seems to respond more to having the treble set low rather than high, where its very subtle. I haven't quit settled on which is better for slap but I actually think it's the lower setting.

[Aarongermain]

I figured it out. The problem was that I had the passive tone control all the way down (where I like it in passive mode). I had an ignorant assumption that active mode bypassed the passive tone control. Now it's all there. A huge spectrum, actually. Considering that, in active mode, you have passive tone control, as well as active treble, bass and mids, it's really a staggering array of options i'm not used to. So, I guess it's my fault. I went from perplexed to overwhelmed.

[JOME77]

Awesome! Glad that it was something simple. The Flexcore is really the most versatile preamp that I've found.
I really liked the fact that the passive tone control worked in he active mode to. It really works well to smooth out your overall tone.

[J2Kbass]

Originally Posted by JOME77

Awesome! Glad that it was something simple. The Flexcore is really the most versatile preamp that I've found.
I really liked the fact that the passive tone control worked in he active mode to. It really works well to smooth out your overall tone.

WOW. I didn't know that it had tone control in active mode. That settles it, i'm putting a flex core in the new roscoe.

[Robin Ruscio]

Originally Posted by J2Kbass

WOW. I didn't know that it had tone control in active mode. That settles it, i'm putting a flex core in the new roscoe.

Yes, and you can fine tune the eq points on each of the active pots. Or get a switch on either or both of the two mid controls to change the frequencies. Or switch your PUPs to single coil mode.

[JoelFT]

Joe,

Didn't want to derail your Demeter thread so, I figured I would bump this one back up. Anyway, I ordered my Pope with a coil tap switch and one mid switch since I don't want to drill more than one extra hole. What jumper and switch config did you think worked best? I just want a starting point to begin experimentation. Thanks!

[JOME77]

Originally Posted by JoelFT

Joe,

Didn't want to derail your Demeter thread so, I figured I would bump this one back up. Anyway, I ordered my Pope with a coil tap switch and one mid switch since I don't want to drill more than one extra hole. What jumper and switch config did you think worked best? I just want a starting point to begin experimentation. Thanks!

Joel. See the post below:

Originally Posted by JOME77

I've tweaked the Pope Preamp a bit more by adding a couple jumpers to the low mid switch connector. This changes the lo mids from 476Hz to 330Hz.
That's more in line with what I'm use to with the Bart low mids, which is 250Hz.
I have the mid switch on the hi mids and can chose 1K/1.8K with it.

Also, just so everyone knows the options in the mid-range area, here are the optional freq. center points for the lo and hi mid switches:

Flexcore: Low-Mid Toggle - 330HZ and 476HZ
Flexcore: Hi-Mid Toggle - 1KHZ and 1.8KHZ

The Bart NTMB push-pull mid control freq. center points are 250Hz/800Hz (250/500/800 with a 3-pos switch).

Unfortunately I can't really demo how good this preamp sounds in the Roscoe with a recording. It's extremely easy to dial in the tones but the somewhat lower quality PC recording that I do just doesn't demo the incredible sound and variability that this preamp has. I may try creating a raw recording (without drums) of just notes with me varying the various controls and switches.
I've got the day off so I'll see what I can put together this morning.

I also went with the jumper on the position for the upper highs. I believe that is where it's installed standard.

[JoelFT]

Thanks. I can't wait to install it.

[JOME77]

... and back on topic.

I think that I'm going to pull the trigger and get another Flex core for my mahogany/walnut Roscoe 3006. My only concern is that I'll either have to order 2 new concentric custom knobs from THG or scrape my awesome looking walnut/cocobolo knobs and go with typical black knobs.

A complete set of metal knobs cost $60 and the 2 concentric knobs from THG will be $100. Not sure if Roger can match the woods of my current ones either. Oh what to do!!!

Maybe the Demeter needs to go into Mahoganut and a new Flex Core into my new LG-3005 .....

[JoelFT]

That really is a conundrum Joe. Those knobs are killer and I'd hate to see them go. This would kind of defeat the point of the Flexcore but, you could just get the three band model without the passive tone.

[LilRay]

Originally Posted by JOME77

... and back on topic.

I think that I'm going to pull the trigger and get another Flex core for my mahogany/walnut Roscoe 3006. My only concern is that I'll either have to order 2 new concentric custom knobs from THG or scrape my awesome looking walnut/cocobolo knobs and go with typical black knobs.

A complete set of metal knobs cost $60 and the 2 concentric knobs from THG will be $100. Not sure if Roger can match the woods of my current ones either. Oh what to do!!!

Maybe the Demeter needs to go into Mahoganut and a new Flex Core into my new LG-3005 .....

Go big or go home.



God Bless, Ray

[JoelFT]

And Ray's logic completely destroys my idea.

[LightGroove]

I cant say Im unbiased as I dont like the wood knob look...I say go with the original black

[LightGroove]

Originally Posted by JOME77

... and back on topic.

I think that I'm going to pull the trigger and get another Flex core for my mahogany/walnut Roscoe 3006. My only concern is that I'll either have to order 2 new concentric custom knobs from THG or scrape my awesome looking walnut/cocobolo knobs and go with typical black knobs.

A complete set of metal knobs cost $60 and the 2 concentric knobs from THG will be $100. Not sure if Roger can match the woods of my current ones either. Oh what to do!!!

Maybe the Demeter needs to go into Mahoganut and a new Flex Core into my new LG-3005 .....

Since when does a Roscoe thread stay on topic?

[Bipslapper]

Originally Posted by LightGroove

Since when does a Roscoe thread stay on topic?

For sure Michael! That's how we roll.

Music is entertainment, right???

[JOME77]

Originally Posted by LilRay

Go big or go home.



God Bless, Ray

Originally Posted by LightGroove

Since when does a Roscoe thread stay on topic?

Originally Posted by Bipslapper

For sure Michael! That's how we roll.

Music is entertainment, right???

You guys ain't right!

But actually you are!

I guess that's why I spend most of my TB time on the Roscoe forum!