Weird circuit in my Warwick

[AnTz0r]

I have a really weird IC in my Warwick. Has anybody ever seen one of these? Any ideas on what it could be?



Bigger photo, 3 MB

This thing is hooked up on a set of J-type EMG's. Am I correct that EMG's don't need an extra IC, would it be better to get this thing out of my signal chain?

[Le Basseur]

The LF442CN is an average-quality dual opamp IC,see it here:
http://pdf1.alldatasheet.com/datashe...C/LF442CN.html
From your photo,I'm not sure at all about the PCB's origin (maybe a DIY thingie?).
Also,not sure what does the DIP switch (you may twiddle a little with it,most probably it changes the preamp's freq. response).
Of course,the opamp could be upgraded...though,what's more confusing is the absence of the passive components from the PCB...with the exception of a small capacitor,there's nothing there.What are the bass' controls do?The bald PCB looks like a linear booster w. tone control "a la Fender" and DIP switches making...you'll have to see for yourself what.
On the other side,the entire preamp could be eliminated and use your EMGs in your favorite "preamp-free" wiring config if this is what you want.
BTW,what EMGs do you have there?...because if they're active,you'll need the battery no matter if the pre stays or not.
Regards,

[DavidRavenMoon]

That looks like an OEM version of an EMG BTC tone control. The dip switches set the corner frequency of the treble control.

The LF442 is a low power JFET op amp. They use that because of the low power consumption.

There's are better op amps, but it's not a bad sounding circuit... I've used them in my basses for years, even on one with my own active pickups.

If running the bass though some extra op amps was going to ruin the tone, what about your amplifier?

[AnTz0r]

Well, the problem I have with this is that the sound is too dull, too undynamic, it doesn't sound "bass". Also, the pickups do not properly pick up higher notes. Anything on the D or G string sound much softer in volume than a low E. And yes, I did try raising the pickups on that side. What could be the culprit?

[AnTz0r]

and in another plot twist, warwick claims the IC is standard... they say it was needed for the MEC active 2-band EQ!

[DavidRavenMoon]

Originally Posted by AnTz0r

Well, the problem I have with this is that the sound is too dull, too undynamic, it doesn't sound "bass". Also, the pickups do not properly pick up higher notes. Anything on the D or G string sound much softer in volume than a low E. And yes, I did try raising the pickups on that side. What could be the culprit?

How wide are the strings from low to high? Did you say these are EMG pickups? They have curved rails so the strings are balanced on a Jazz bass.

It sounds like the string spacing is wider than what the pickups can sense.

That's probably the stock preamp then. Maybe it doesn't work well with EMG's either.

But start by seeing if the pickups are wide enough.

[AnTz0r]

well the string spacing is quite tight. 14mm at the bridge inbetween strings. total width from outside of the G to outside of B is 65mm. the emgs are of course 95/91 mm.

[AnTz0r]

another mail from warwick....

I think I had a too short look to the picture. Having a second look to
the IC, it doesn't look the same as our current IC. It would be an
explanation to your problem with EMG pickups. Because there is normally no
compatibility problems between EMG pickups and MEC electronics. I would
suggest you to buy replacement electronics from MEC from our web shop
online. http://shop.warwick.de

Not much of a solution I'd rather get the OBP-3 anyway

[niftydog]

Have you tried flicking the DIP switches?

I love the Warwick solution - "buy stuff from us!" Typical...

[Basshole]

Dude, when I bought one of my 'Wicks, someone had changed out the pickups and electronics. I just ordered everything needed to restore it to stock, and never looked back. My Warwick bass is now 100% awesome, thanks to the guys at Dana B. Goods.

[AnTz0r]

Originally Posted by niftydog

Have you tried flicking the DIP switches?

I love the Warwick solution - "buy stuff from us!" Typical...

I have, not much of a difference.

[AnTz0r]

I did some soldering work today and routed past the IC, with only volume and blend pots active. No improvement, soundwise.

Volume on these things is really low too, compared to other basses. Maybe something inside the pickups is broken?

[AnTz0r]

EMG says it's a BTS circuit. BTC uses stacked pots, BTS separate bass and treble.

[Krinkle5]

Man! I have never seen a thread with so many abbreviations! OMG!

[DavidRavenMoon]

Originally Posted by Krinkle5

Man! I have never seen a thread with so many abbreviations! OMG!

Actually they are acronyms.

[AnTz0r]

Originally Posted by Krinkle5

Man! I have never seen a thread with so many abbreviations! OMG!

well, i study at a technical university and with some of the mumbo-jumbo we get here, this thread pales in comparison

[dirtybass]

Originally Posted by AnTz0r

I have a really weird IC in my Warwick. Has anybody ever seen one of these? Any ideas on what it could be?



Bigger photo, 3 MB

This thing is hooked up on a set of J-type EMG's. Am I correct that EMG's don't need an extra IC, would it be better to get this thing out of my signal chain?

cut the red one.....WAIT!!! -I mean DONT cut the red one...
jk


No Idea, prolly a tracking device from the gov't.
Are you up to anything they should know about?

[AnTz0r]

my gov't is not your gov't...

[DavidRavenMoon]

Originally Posted by AnTz0r

my gov't is not your gov't...

Oh go ahead and rub it in!

When I retire I'd love to move to Amsterdam.

[AnTz0r]

funny, i know more people who move away from amsterdam when they retire