Warwick Thumb electronics swap

SoonerMatt · #1 06-25-2011, 03:55 PM

Hey gang,

The electronics in my Thumb are pretty much done for and I'd rather not go back to MEC (for obvious reasons). I'd looked at some of the other threads on this issue and have narrowed it down to EMGs or Barts (I'm looking to keep the punchiness and awesome finger style tones).

As I only have 3 holes to work with I'd like to use a stacked volume/blend knob, so if any drilling needs to be done it could be for an active/passive switch, especially since the Thumb's control cavity really doesn't allow much wiggle room. Has anyone dropped a stacked vol/blend knob with active pups, and if so what kind of pots did you use? I'm guessing 500k/500k.

SGD Lutherie · #2 06-26-2011, 09:26 PM

The only company that makes a stacked volume blend pot is MEC. This is because it's a three ganged pot. It's rather expensive too.

Why not use a volume, blend and stacked bass/treble controls?

SoonerMatt · #3 06-27-2011, 06:59 AM

I was hoping to add a mid sweep, and since I also need to swap the push/pull volume pot I figured I'd go that route and give myself a Vol/Blend, Mid/Freq, Treble/Bass system. Oh well, EMG does make a stacked treble/bass and my Thumb's blend knob is the only one that still works fine, so I suppose I'd be better off looking at a replacement a/p pot instead. So far the only B500K pots that aren't MEC are Grizzly and MightyMite. Not liking the look of that

RedLeg · #4 06-27-2011, 07:02 AM

you must check out my thumb BO in my signature.
Delano JMVC's with an aggie OBP3 18 volt, set up vol vol stack, mid with push pull 400/800, treb bass stack. I was so close to selling this bass till gutted it and upgraded.

MEC makes a stacked vol/blend pot and it is expensive. thomann.de sells it. Or this one. other than that, you have to go vol vol which is not hard to get used too.

Last option would be using an ACG/east filter preamp, which are really cool to use. I tried one on a stambaugh fless and was floored at how it sounded.

SoonerMatt · #5 06-27-2011, 07:34 AM

I can dig an OBP3. Now the question is whether or not I want to cross the point of no return and drill for an AP switch.

Thanks for the suggestions so far!

RedLeg · #6 06-27-2011, 07:47 AM

I never used the passive option when I had it.I never had a battery go dead on stage. Besides, when you get that loud clear 18 volt preamp punch, a passive option sounds wimpy.
FWIW, I may swap the OBP3 for the ACG filter pre. I liked it that much. Money growing on trees and all

SoonerMatt · #7 06-27-2011, 08:02 AM

Could you send me some of those seeds, then? These upgrades (and class next semester) aren't going to pay for themselves

GBassNorth · #8 06-27-2011, 08:19 AM

I try to keep all my basses to 3 knobs if possible and as such I've used both John East and Audere preamps with great results.
Went this route first:
East - vol/pan stack + neck bass/treb/brite stack + bridge bass/treb/brite stack
Was ok, but a pan knob effects pickup volume and tone significantly as you blend the two inputs.

Ended up with this layout for most of my modded basses:
East - vol/vol stack + neck bass/treb/brite stack + bridge bass/treb/brite stack
Did the same thing with an Audere preamp - like both but the East is my favorite due to the finished and professional appearance of the wiring and connections in the cavity. Both work great and with the stacked vol pots, you can easily grab the volume stack and turn the knobs together to increase volume but maintain neck/bridge balance and tone. Works much better for me than a single volume and blend pot.
Note - I have a Thumb BO5 and love it but have never replaced the preamp or pickups in it so not sure what kind of room you have in the cavity. Let's us know what you end up doing and how much you like it incase we want to follow your lead.

SGD Lutherie · #9 06-27-2011, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoonerMatt

Now the question is whether or not I want to cross the point of no return and drill for an AP switch.

The question to ask yourself is why do you want an active passive switch? Plus you can put in a push/pull on the volume for that.

None of my active basses have active/passive switches. I never found a use for them.

DeltaPhoenix · #10 06-27-2011, 09:00 AM

ACG/East Filter preamp

SoonerMatt · #11 06-27-2011, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SGD Lutherie

The question to ask yourself is why do you want an active passive switch? Plus you can put in a push/pull on the volume for that.

None of my active basses have active/passive switches. I never found a use for them.

I thought about that after I posted and realized I'd only used the A/P switch once: was when I first got it and forgot to check the battery. Every other time has been to stop the volume from cutting out (having to literally hit the volume knob during shows to bring your sound back is not a good thing).

The East preamp is too rich for my blood right now, at least on BBG's site. I know the Aggie pre will still allow for the punchiness the Thumb is known for, but I have no real experience with East's stuff. My only concern is that the Aggie will modernize the Thumb's tone and neuter the growl; is this something the East will be able to preserve or am I making an issue out of nothing?

GBassNorth · #12 06-27-2011, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoonerMatt

I thought about that after I posted and realized I'd only used the A/P switch once: was when I first got it and forgot to check the battery. Every other time has been to stop the volume from cutting out (having to literally hit the volume knob during shows to bring your sound back is not a good thing).

The East preamp is too rich for my blood right now, at least on BBG's site. I know the Aggie pre will still allow for the punchiness the Thumb is known for, but I have no real experience with East's stuff. My only concern is that the Aggie will modernize the Thumb's tone and neuter the growl; is this something the East will be able to preserve or am I making an issue out of nothing?

My experience is the Audere colors the bass the least and is more likely to let your Thumb sound like a thumb and is more in line with the cost of the Aggie preamp. The Aggie does color the bass a lot, nice and dark and relatively smooth, no where near what my Thumb sounds like. The East is somewhere between the two. More of a hifi tone vs the Aggie and Audere. I didn't care for the after market Bart preamp at all but love the one in my Pedulla.

Rano Bass · #13 06-27-2011, 03:00 PM

IMO get an Aguilar obp-2 and forget about the mid control, thumb basses have very good midrange.

SoonerMatt · #14 06-27-2011, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rano Bass

IMO get an Aguilar obp-2 and forget about the mid control, thumb basses have very good midrange.

Bass-Adrenaline · #15 06-29-2011, 05:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SGD Lutherie

The only company that makes a stacked volume blend pot is MEC. This is because it's a three ganged pot. It's rather expensive too.

Why not use a volume, blend and stacked bass/treble controls?

Actually there are other companies that make them but like you said they arent really cheap. The ones i can think of off the top of my head actually cost more than MEC. They are ALPS pots used by audere (i think thats what theyre called). Very smooth, light, and small pots. Great for tight areas.

SGD Lutherie · #16 06-29-2011, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bass-Adrenaline

Actually there are other companies that make them but like you said they arent really cheap. The ones i can think of off the top of my head actually cost more than MEC. They are ALPS pots used by audere (i think thats what theyre called). Very smooth, light, and small pots. Great for tight areas.

That's true, but I meant for retail purchase. Most of the companies that make pots can do them, such as Noble, Bourns, Alpha, etc. They aren't very expensive for the OEM customers, but you have to place a fairly large order to get something made for you.

SGD Lutherie · #17 06-29-2011, 06:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoonerMatt

When ever you don't antialias type, five kittens and a gold fish are abandoned!

SoonerMatt · #18 06-30-2011, 10:47 PM

Decided on an 18v Audere 4 band preamp (vol/blend, hi-mid/lo-mid, treble/bass). I'll pull the trigger once my paycheck clears

RedLeg · #19 07-01-2011, 01:12 AM

Tell dave at audere to give you higher gain output. I always thought the audere was way too quiet; unless that is your thing. But I heard passive instruments with more oomph compared to an 18v audere classic.

SGD Lutherie · #20 07-01-2011, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedLeg

Tell dave at audere to give you higher gain output. I always thought the audere was way too quiet; unless that is your thing. But I heard passive instruments with more oomph compared to an 18v audere classic.

It should be unity gain when set flat. So that louder passive bass would also be louder with the preamp.

Most preamps do not increase the overall gain, but a gain trim control is a nice thing to have.