For those who want as close to a Wal preamp as possible

TrooperFarva · #1 06-15-2007, 02:11 PM

There's been much discussion about the AC Guitars preamp since prototype versions were produced. I was interested, as the concept of a new preamp that is filter based, like the Wal's, would allow me to assemble a bass that is in the vein of a Wal, without costing as much as a Wal. But I do not like the look of stacked knobs, I prefer simpler, cleaner lines.

So I e-mailed AC Guitars, and asked if I could order one of the preamps, but without the pots. He replied, and said he spoke to John East. They are willing to offer the preamp without the pots, and supplied me with information on what pots I would need to replace the board mounted pots. The work would be performed by John East himself, and would cost a little extra, I'm waiting to hear back how much it would cost.

This is what I want to do. The external controls will be Volume, Blend, and Cutoff Frequency for each pickup. Both Filter Boost Levels, Treble Boost Level, and Treble Boost Frequency will all be internal, as I don't really see the need to adjust them on the fly. Additionally, the Volume and both Frequency pots will also be push/pull switches. Pulling the volume pot will engage the treble boost, and pulling on either frequency pot will engage that pickups filter boost. Basically, it will functionally perform exactly like a Wal preamp.

I can understand how some people would like all 8 controls right at their fingertips. But not me. Who's with me?

**smperry** · #2 06-15-2007, 04:40 PM

I've never touched an ACG/East preamp, but that sounds great to me.

Marshall

rogerbmiller · #3 06-16-2007, 02:06 PM

Links to info on the web?

kevin_lindsay · #4 06-16-2007, 02:30 PM

John East does a modular EQ system with spearate boards for bass, mid and treble - each one adjustable using internal pots, and the bass EQ has a sub-filter on the board for a Wal type adjustment setting.

Ask him about those - I have a set on a Nordy VJ5 and they are just fabulous!!!!

TrooperFarva · #5 06-16-2007, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevin_lindsay

John East does a modular EQ system with spearate boards for bass, mid and treble - each one adjustable using internal pots, and the bass EQ has a sub-filter on the board for a Wal type adjustment setting.

Ask him about those - I have a set on a Nordy VJ5 and they are just fabulous!!!!

The only modules I found on his website are a Treble/Bass module, and a Mid sweep module. Are those what you're talking about? Both of those still use stacked knobs.

fullrangebass · #6 06-18-2007, 07:52 AM

I can verify that John East in one very knowledgeable guy and very helpful too (You may find a relevant thread on my R-Bass mod). You may want to speak to him for anything you are thinking and I am sure he will do his best to come up with a solution

John East · #7 06-18-2007, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrooperFarva

The only modules I found on his website are a Treble/Bass module, and a Mid sweep module. Are those what you're talking about? Both of those still use stacked knobs.

These units aren't on my website yet but will be in the near future.

John

rogerbmiller · #8 06-19-2007, 07:31 PM

Great. Please do keep us posted John!

Quote:

Originally Posted by John East

These units aren't on my website yet but will be in the near future.

John

mikezimmerman · #9 06-19-2007, 09:44 PM

Having owned and played many Wals, the one thing I would add to the basic EQ setup is a simple bass boost control. The filter controls are great, but one thing they can't do is let you add a little more low end without radically altering the tone. It sounds like it would be pretty straightforward to plug in one of the other East B/T modules to the filter preamp to accomplish this, though.

Otherwise, your solution sounds great! I'm not generally big on stacked knobs, either--too much to adjust on the fly!--so moving some of those settings into the control cavity where they can be tweaked and then left is a good compromise.

I'd love to hear more about this new modular setup, too--that sounds like it would be the best of both the filter-based and conventional EQs. I have to admit, though, that I see the lowpass filter-based EQs as more like a "passive tone control on steroids" than a "bass EQ", if that makes sense...

Mike

PilbaraBass · #10 06-19-2007, 10:15 PM

Question...

I also know that the Wal pickups themselves were pretty unique, but what If I took a G&L L-2000 Tribute with the MFD pickups and fitted this preamp to it....how close to a Wal sound do you think I could get 80%? 90%? 95%?

kevin_lindsay · #11 06-19-2007, 11:14 PM

Yeah, as John said - the "modular" units aren't on the website yet - here are some pics of the prototypes (bass & treble units installed on the Nordy VJ5 Jazz bass with Big SIngles made for Paul Turner of Jamiroquai - now owned by myself):

knarleybass · #12 06-20-2007, 12:46 PM

Very very interesting,
the AC Guitars preamp is very Wal like and in my opinion the closest thing to a Wal out there today, it's a great sounding preamp.
The pickups of the Wal are also very unique, each pole piece is a seperate coil, there are (I think) either eight or sixteen wires that connect each pickup to the preamp. There is nothing like the Wal bass, Ian Waller was responsible for the design of the electronics and pickups, he did quite a job I must say.
There is a Fodera out there with Wal electronics and pickups, I wonder how Wal like that bass sounds... I would love to do a double blind test with that bass.

PilbaraBass · #13 06-20-2007, 05:29 PM

interesting pickup...
If I understand ...what you're saying is that each pole piece (8 in all for a 4-string) has it's own circular bobbin and separate coil...that would make for 16 possible wires from the pickup..

ok...that's cool...that means that you can individually buffer (and balance) each string separately...that makes for a bit of extra circuitry...(additional quality quad op-amp and 4 trim pots, plus a few extra resistors, MINIMUM)

however, entirely doable, even for a skilled DIY person...

now here's a fun experiment for one of you DIY pickup people.

TrooperFarva · #14 06-20-2007, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knarleybass

The pickups of the Wal are also very unique, each pole piece is a seperate coil, there are (I think) either eight or sixteen wires that connect each pickup to the preamp. There is nothing like the Wal bass, Ian Waller was responsible for the design of the electronics and pickups, he did quite a job I must say.

There's actually only 5 wires in the 4 string Wals. My guess is a signal wire for each string, and a ground wire. You're right about the pole pieces, each one is a coil, so effectively, each string has it's own humbucker. Here's a not-often-seen look inside a Wal pickup

A9X · #15 06-21-2007, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrooperFarva

There's actually only 5 wires in the 4 string Wals. My guess is a signal wire for each string, and a ground wire. You're right about the pole pieces, each one is a coil, so effectively, each string has it's own humbucker. Here's a not-often-seen look inside a Wal pickup

Thanks for that. It's what I expected it'd look like, so it's nice to see it confirmed in image. The pre isn't so hard.
Time to fire up the winder.

PilbaraBass · #16 06-21-2007, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A9X

Thanks for that. It's what I expected it'd look like, so it's nice to see it confirmed in image. The pre isn't so hard.
Time to fire up the winder.

Cool,

Just as I suspected, too...Hey....lightbulb just came on....I can wind circular bobbins on my wife's sewing machine!

won't SHE be happy! LOL....