Doctor Q Question

Jimmy Bones · #1 09-01-2009, 03:41 AM

Hey guys.

So, I've been searching for an envelope filter, as a few of you may know, and I tried a couple out today. I find that I like the Nano Bassballs, despite its weird parts, but I ran across a Nano Doctor Q used for $50 and tried it out.

I noticed that it saps the hell out of my bass signal (played it through an Aerodyne PJ and an Elite 5 run through a Bassman combo) making it come out real quiet, and when you crank it, you hear a real nasty hiss or whispering, wheezing sound. Other than that, it sounded ok.

Question I have is, if I run it in a chain with my Submarine, will that help eliminate the signal loss and maybe prevent the hiss by keeping me from having to crank it so much, and is it worth the $50?

Philbiker · #2 09-01-2009, 07:37 AM

Something's wrong if it's sapping the bass signal. My Dr. Q doesn't sap the bass signal at all. There is a 'bass' switch which needs to be engaged, if it's turned off the sound will be horrible with no bass at all whatsoever.

Personally I love the sound of the Dr. Q. It's a one trick pony, but that one trick sure sounds good, and works very will in the context of a band playing a song.

BTW $50 is a high price for a Nano Dr. Q used. I bought mine new for $55.

Jimmy Bones · #3 09-01-2009, 07:49 AM

Does yours make the whispering noise?

**TheMutt** · #4 09-01-2009, 09:27 AM

There is an internal trimpot that you can adjust to change the center frequency of the sweep (or at least there is on the larger box version). If you're getting hiss, someone turned it up higher than stock for guitar playing.

I'd also agree that $50 is pretty steep for a used one, as that is what I purchased a new larger box model for way back when. Try to talk em down to $35-$40.

Philbiker · #5 09-01-2009, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMutt

There is an internal trimpot that you can adjust to change the center frequency of the sweep (or at least there is on the larger box version). If you're getting hiss, someone turned it up higher than stock for guitar playing.

Fiddling with the internal trim pot is a requirement for the Dr. Q IMO. It should be an external pot IMO.

The whispering noise is part of the effect on mine if the knob is turned way up.

Philbiker · #6 09-01-2009, 01:50 PM

Previously I had posted some samples of what the Dr. Q sounds like after fiddling with the internal pot a little bit.

Jimmy Bones · #7 09-01-2009, 10:28 PM

Thanks guys.

Store manager refused to negotiate price, said to ask the manager on Saturday.

Went and bought a Nano Bassballs new instead. Sounds sick as hell running through my Peavey/Ashdown rig and Submarine.

BassBrass · #8 09-02-2009, 02:59 PM

Can you trim an inside pot on the new ones? I've used one for YEARS on bass and on trumpet (switch up for bandpass) owned a few and during the later years before the micro series came out, the pot was sealed. (So I looked for the older ones without the red light, just fantastic). Most issues with these involve using too much sensitivity...that "wisper" sound.

Philbiker · #9 09-03-2009, 07:25 AM

I bought my micro version new within the last few years and the internal pot was adjustable.

Jimmy Bones · #10 09-03-2009, 10:04 AM

Yea, but Micro != Nano.

Philbiker · #11 09-03-2009, 01:03 PM

Oops meant nano. Don't know if there is any such thing as "micro".