Villex Booster control review

ped · #1 07-02-2007, 12:59 PM

I have just had one of these fitted, if you would like to hear it and read a full review, click HERE!

Cheers
ped

nuno.ka · #2 07-02-2007, 02:21 PM

Just what I needed... GAS... my wife won't like this.

Human Bass · #3 07-02-2007, 02:23 PM

thanks dude! Villex is a truly russian enginer...can make something really effective without being overly complex.

DavidRavenMoon · #4 07-02-2007, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Human Bass

thanks dude! Villex is a truly russian enginer...can make something really effective without being overly complex.

He also invented the Lace Transsensor pickups.

ped · #5 07-02-2007, 05:06 PM

Cheers. It is indeed a really cool little mod, easy, cheap, and useful.

::::BASSIST:::: · #6 07-03-2007, 04:54 PM

So you reckon this would be useful with a passive P bass with Nordy NP4s?

PilbaraBass · #7 07-03-2007, 05:09 PM

VERY COOL!

HAS Sound has something very similar called a Vari-tone...it too uses a stepped, LC-resonant peak filter to achieve different peak frequencies with the turn of a knob...

it would be nice if someone would A/B the two...

The HAS Sound device is < 1/2 the price of the Villex...

DavidRavenMoon · #8 07-03-2007, 05:43 PM

A Varitone is a midrange notch filter. Depending on the value of the cap, it creates a dip at that frequency, but passes the higher and lower frequencies.

This booster no doubt uses a similar technique to create a band pass filter, so you get a hump.

Varitones can be made for about $15. You just need a transformer sold at Mouser, a 6-position 2 pole switch, and 5 caps, and 6 resistors.

I used to make them all the time. Varitones are a lot of fun and very versatile.

official gibson schematic

I don't really hear all that much difference with this booster to warrant the price compared to an active circuit, but I suppose if someone wanted a passive circuit, there you go.

PilbaraBass · #9 07-03-2007, 09:35 PM

the only major difference between band-pass and notch is how you connect it...

run a signal "through" a band-pass, and it's band pass...
use a band-pass as a "bleed" and it's a notch...

run a signal "through" a notch, and it's a notch...
use a notch as a "bleed" and it's a band-pass...

I'm sure that the villex doesn't have any more components than the vari tone, (an inductor, some caps, some resistors)...albeit, they may very well be connected differently...

IMO...$39 for something pre-made and tested that cost $15 in parts for the DIY guy is definitely reasonable...although...I am going to build my own Vari-tone for my guitar

eutgard · #10 07-03-2007, 09:44 PM

PilbaraBass said...

run a signal "through" a notch, and it's a notch...
use a notch as a "bleed" and it's a band-pass...

Do you mean if I connect Varitone differently to p/up & jack, I can use it as band pass filter?

Or should I change the internal connection of Varitone to use it as band pass filter?

DavidRavenMoon · #11 07-03-2007, 11:48 PM

Yeah, just like when you short the signal through a cap to ground, you shunt the highs, but if you run the signal through the cap, you roll off the bass.

The thing about this booster is that with passive tone controls, you always cut, and never boost. Even with a Varitone, there's insertion loss, since there's no active gain stage to make up the loss.

There is a way to get a resonant peak that actually produces a passive boost... and since it's 1:36 AM (just got back from seeing Transformers!) I can't remember how that works...

But I'm sure he's doing something with transformers (not the movie) or coils...

He also has passive tone controls built into his pickups.

The Transsensor and Alumitone are interesting designs. They use just one loop of heavy gauge wire, or in the case of the alumitone, the pickup body is the coil. Then they use a step up transformer.