Vegier active to passive

SbassJon · #1 11-25-2007, 10:50 AM

I have used this bass of mine a 90s Passion on the 'off' for a while and i now want to eliminate the use of batterys altogether, and use 2 volume pots to blend and tone pot and a jack, with a clean output. no batterys.

Reason: to push my amp without my bass cooking an already hot wire board.

I have been using a valve amp for a while now and I want to remove the preamp since I have had the active pickups on 'off'. The circuit needs still 2x9v batterys to work, and that sux, since it is so hyperactive it hears everything from hoover motors to tubes cooking away and its getting annoying now. Plus it has cooked my amp a few times.

I did have the pickups going to a volume and a jack-out only, and i want that done again but using a few more tone controls.

Can anyone tell me in earthy language the best way about this please?

Thanks fellas

KeithPas · #2 11-25-2007, 11:00 AM

Does the internal preamp have a means of turning down the gain? If it does I would go that route rather than mod a very cool bass.

SbassJon · #3 11-25-2007, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KeithPas

Does the internal preamp have a means of turning down the gain? If it does I would go that route rather than mod a very cool bass.

Hi. thanks. If only. My guru who owned it b4 was telling me the pups were seriously powerful, and maybe at the time Vigier was experimenting. I mean I have even plugged some cans into it and its gain is enough to power those!

I just wanna get that slappy warm creamy sound again and do away with the active problem, coz it is a problem. I havnt used the works in 2 years cos its overkill for everything now, Its a liability at full volume. Desks, peds, DIs. Ok DIing is cool for pre amp eq, but then a shed of noise gates, more burned channels come in, and filters all step in. I dont want to be hated. I used to use the pre with tranny amps but now, uh, dude! Forget it.

I plan to keep all the guts, man its pricy. If i need to restore it i will its synch. I just need a relyable and simple route. Im into that. The bass itself still hears everything harmonicly, and only the big guy knows the subs from the valves. X-ray!

KeithPas · #4 11-25-2007, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SbassJon

Hi. thanks. If only. My guru who owned it b4 was telling me the pups were seriously powerful, and maybe at the time Vigier was experimenting. I mean I have even plugged some cans into it and its gain is enough to power those!

I just wanna get that slappy warm creamy sound again and do away with the active problem, coz it is a problem. I havnt used the works in 2 years cos its overkill for everything now, Its a liability at full volume. Desks, peds, DIs. Ok DIing is cool for pre amp eq, but then a shed of noise gates, more burned channels come in, and filters all step in. I dont want to be hated. I used to use the pre with tranny amps but now, uh, dude! Forget it.

I plan to keep all the guts, man its pricy. If i need to restore it i will its synch. I just need a relyable and simple route. Im into that. The bass itself still hears everything harmonicly, and only the big guy knows the subs from the valves. X-ray!

I guess my next suggestion would be to figure out exactly which bass will give you what you are looking for and see if you can either sell the Vigier outright or use it as tradee bait for a more desirable bass. The Vigier is an exotic bass that alot of people like, I don;t think flipping it would take too long. Best of Luck

SbassJon · #5 11-25-2007, 01:39 PM

i think itd be an easy job to go pure passive. letting it go is out the question, sorry.

the charismatic tones of the carbon alder passive through valves is the way. just wanna get a method now...

KeithPas · #6 11-25-2007, 04:36 PM

If you are going to mod that bass let a pro do it. Better to spend the money and make sure it does not get damaged.

SbassJon · #7 11-25-2007, 04:55 PM

I got that pro dude, he fies desks and rhodes hammonds. hes good.

KeithPas · #8 11-25-2007, 05:16 PM

Go for it, that bass is'nt doing you any good sitting in your closet.

ped · #9 11-27-2007, 06:11 AM

One of my basses had no electronics inside when it was found and now has a Marleaux system in the bass. It is true that the Benedetti pickups are extremely powerful, and they do pick up lots of hum in certain environments. On my stock 5 string I can do away with most of this and retain a very fat and tight sound with some EQ.

I think swapping the electronics with something passive would be fairly easy and reversible - just keep the original parts won't you! For what it is worth I use my basses with a valve amplifier and also a Pod XT pro in the studio - I agree they are very unique and exotic basses (though I am probably closer to France than you!). Keep playing it and do what works for you.

Cheers
ped