Michael Pope Flex Core Pre

scotts42 · #1 01-16-2011, 10:19 PM

These look very cool. http://www.michaelpopedesign.com/flex_core/

I have a pope pre in my Stambaugh 6 and am completely in love with it. I can only assume that this is of the same quality as all of Mike's work. The fact that it is completely customizable and looks fairly easy to install seems like it could be a real competitor in the after-market pre world.

Yvon · #2 01-17-2011, 09:35 AM

Look interesting!!

fokof · #3 01-17-2011, 10:21 AM

Very interesting concept.

But damn expensive !!!!
1/2 that price and he would sell a truck load.

scotts42 · #4 01-17-2011, 11:03 AM

1/2 that price and they probably wouldn't be as versatile.

That's still almost half of what it used to cost to have Mike build a custom pre by hand

thepontif · #5 01-17-2011, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fokof

Very interesting concept.

But damn expensive !!!!
1/2 that price and he would sell a truck load.

Don't have a truck load, nor do I want to be the manager of a huge business. Remember, I run this thing myself, and I'm also a really active player. Gotta balance reality with reality.

I don't do cheap.

scotts42 · #6 01-17-2011, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thepontif

Gotta balance reality with reality.

I don't do cheap.

maurilio · #7 01-17-2011, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thepontif

Don't have a truck load, nor do I want to be the manager of a huge business. Remember, I run this thing myself, and I'm also a really active player. Gotta balance reality with reality.

I don't do cheap.

well said Mike!

(really interested on this pre...)

rojo412 · #8 01-17-2011, 11:02 PM

Oh great! Another crazy-silly expensive onboard pre for me to fawn over (because I seem to collect them!)...
Well, Savings... it looks like we have to have a little talk.

Still less than the East preamps, by the way (I've bought 2 of those, so this seems like a bargain!).

Lemon · #9 01-29-2011, 09:28 AM

Hi Michael,
what pre and add on modules would I need for a Pedulla with 4 holes 1 switch ?
I would like to get balance volume stacked or treble bass stacked plus switchable low midrange for the fat finger tone.
I like to have treble rolled off a bit.
The original NTMB which is in there now cuts to low I think, the tone is weak and it takes away to much of the frequencies I dont want to cut.

The second thing is the pickups in there have only hot and ground I think does that work ?
Or should I get other pickups also ?
What would be good for a warm fat non agressive tone blending well with a Grand Piano ?
thanks ahead for suggestions =)

Marc

maurilio · #10 01-29-2011, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lemon

Hi Michael,
what pre and add on modules would I need for a Pedulla with 4 holes 1 switch ?
I would like to get balance volume stacked or treble bass stacked plus switchable low midrange for the fat finger tone.
I like to have treble rolled off a bit.
The original NTMB which is in there now cuts to low I think, the tone is weak and it takes away to much of the frequencies I dont want to cut.

The second thing is the pickups in there have only hot and ground I think does that work ?
Or should I get other pickups also ?
What would be good for a warm fat non agressive tone blending well with a Grand Piano ?
thanks ahead for suggestions =)

Marc

FYI, the bart freqs can be changed with capacitors (I did it in my bart equipped basses).
Still, if you are not satisfied with that pre overall.....

fokof · #11 01-29-2011, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thepontif

... I run this thing myself, and I'm also a really active player. Gotta balance reality with reality.

Didn't know that.
Very good idea , nice concept . I like modular stuff.
I made two of my basses last year , having seen those , would have simplified the job a lot !

Quote:

Originally Posted by thepontif

I don't do cheap.

I didn't mean cheap but expensive.

Lemon · #12 01-29-2011, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maurilio

FYI, the bart freqs can be changed with capacitors (I did it in my bart equipped basses).
Still, if you are not satisfied with that pre overall.....

Allthough I didnt see any caps in there, could you let me in on that one ?
It has a mid switch, with adjustable resistors on it, but thats it.
Its a original Pedulla electronic with bass treble and mid boost switch config.
I want to be able to cut just below the lower end of the string noise, which is around 3 - 3.5kHz I think, the treble pot seems to cut quite abit lower.
Its worth a try, I allready upped the voltage to 18v which was a pretty big improvement as for a tighter sound an feel as well as dynamics.

one reason, Im gazing that pope design, is the lower mid boost knob.

thepontif · #13 01-29-2011, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lemon

Hi Michael,
what pre and add on modules would I need for a Pedulla with 4 holes 1 switch ?
I would like to get balance volume stacked or treble bass stacked plus switchable low midrange for the fat finger tone.
I like to have treble rolled off a bit.
The original NTMB which is in there now cuts to low I think, the tone is weak and it takes away to much of the frequencies I dont want to cut.

The second thing is the pickups in there have only hot and ground I think does that work ?
Or should I get other pickups also ?
What would be good for a warm fat non agressive tone blending well with a Grand Piano ?
thanks ahead for suggestions =)

Marc

Marc,

4 holes 1 switch, I would do a Core 2stk.2stk

This is a new core unit which will be on the site shortly.

This is:
Stacked Volume/Passive Tone
Balancer
Stacked Bass/Treble
Stacked Low Mid/Hi Mid
Active/Passive toggle

or a Core 2.2stk
Master Volume (push-pull active/passive)
Balancer
Stacked Bass/Treble
Stacked Lo Mid/Hi Mid
Mid frequency switch *expansion module* (for either mid...in your case probably the low)

If you like volume/volume you can do that and keep the same functionality and humber of holes.

If you don't like the dual mids, get the Core 2.2 instead of 2.2stk

The part number thing is getting more complicated, but the point behind it is that I'd like to have as many $299.00 core units available and keep folks from having to buy redundant or extra stuff as much as possible.

The way things are being set up, the only thing you'd be buying extra would be the mid switch. the rest of it would be part of the package. As I originally conceived it, you'd be paying for the dual mid module, the stacked vol/tone, and the switch. And you'd be throwing away the single mid modules.

The modules will all still be available a la carte but you won't necessarily be relegated to buying them that way.

I'm sure the pups you have will work just fine.

cybersnyder · #14 01-29-2011, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thepontif

Remember, I run this thing myself, and I'm also a really active player.

Humorous story... I was at the Columbia Lakefront and saw a guy setting up for a concert. Of course I was checking out the gear. Saw the MPP-1 or MPP-2 preamp and the Mike Pope signature Fodera. I thought to myself, "Someone has a Mike Pope complex." The guy turns around and I realize, wait, that *is* Mike Pope.

Interesting preamp concept. Just a thought though, it may be useful to show some suggested configurations. Maybe a minimum setup, typical and maxed out configurations. Like is there a configuration for three knobs, two pickups?

Lemon · #15 01-29-2011, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thepontif

Marc,

4 holes 1 switch, I would do a Core 2stk.2stk

This is a new core unit which will be on the site shortly.

This is:
Stacked Volume/Passive Tone
Balancer
Stacked Bass/Treble
Stacked Low Mid/Hi Mid
Active/Passive toggle

or a Core 2.2stk
Master Volume (push-pull active/passive)
Balancer
Stacked Bass/Treble
Stacked Lo Mid/Hi Mid
Mid frequency switch *expansion module* (for either mid...in your case probably the low)

If you like volume/volume you can do that and keep the same functionality and humber of holes.

If you don't like the dual mids, get the Core 2.2 instead of 2.2stk

The part number thing is getting more complicated, but the point behind it is that I'd like to have as many $299.00 core units available and keep folks from having to buy redundant or extra stuff as much as possible.

The way things are being set up, the only thing you'd be buying extra would be the mid switch. the rest of it would be part of the package. As I originally conceived it, you'd be paying for the dual mid module, the stacked vol/tone, and the switch. And you'd be throwing away the single mid modules.

The modules will all still be available a la carte but you won't necessarily be relegated to buying them that way.

I'm sure the pups you have will work just fine.

Thanks Mike,
I almost never use the balancer and the most imortant is the really low mids,
an that the grindy fret noise part, the lower higs of the treble can be rolled of with out cutting the mids.
Actually the very high treble I like again.
Stacked bass treble and stacked low mid high mid with a mid switch selecting ranges on the low mids sounds good.
Is that a mini toggle switch ?

Where about are the frequency ranges for
-Bass
-Low mid
-Switched low mid Is there 2 or more positions on the switch ?
-Treble

Im pretty familiar with frequencies =)
Thanks again

cybersnyder · #16 01-30-2011, 12:18 PM

Is the balancer passive or buffered?

maurilio · #17 01-30-2011, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lemon

Allthough I didnt see any caps in there, could you let me in on that one ?
It has a mid switch, with adjustable resistors on it, but thats it.
Its a original Pedulla electronic with bass treble and mid boost switch config.
I want to be able to cut just below the lower end of the string noise, which is around 3 - 3.5kHz I think, the treble pot seems to cut quite abit lower.
Its worth a try, I allready upped the voltage to 18v which was a pretty big improvement as for a tighter sound an feel as well as dynamics.

one reason, Im gazing that pope design, is the lower mid boost knob.

on the mid switch those are capacitors, not resistors.
Anyway, if you wanna change the frq on the treble ctrl, inserting a cap in series (47nf, 33nf or 22nf) on the purple wire, you can change the freq cut (the orange is the boost)

maurilio · #18 01-30-2011, 01:19 PM

sorry for derailing the thread.......

thepontif · #19 01-30-2011, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cybersnyder

Is the balancer passive or buffered?

Passive.

Lemon · #20 01-31-2011, 07:45 AM

Hi thepontif

thanks, I almost never use the balancer and the most imortant is the really low mids,
an that the grindy fret noise part, the lower higs of the treble can be rolled of with out cutting the mids.
Actually the very high treble I like again.
Stacked bass treble and stacked low mid high mid with a mid switch selecting ranges on the low mids sounds good.
Is that a mini toggle switch ?

Where about are the frequency ranges for
-Bass
-Low mid
-Switched low mid Is there 2 or more positions on the switch ?
-Treble

Im pretty familiar with frequencies =)
it would give me a idea what your Core design does
Thanks again