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ACG onboard preamp (ACG/John East design)
- Thread starter emjazz
- Start date
OK got the ACG, I really like the wide variety of tones, I nearly jump off my chair when I moved the low pass filter knob while playing. The preamp is transparent and reacts well to different playing styles. And at some settings the bass sounds like it is on auto-wah. Very cool.
I did not care too much for the ribbon cables because you cannot rout them like regular wires, and that forced the preamp to be in a specific location. I have a big cavity control so that was no problem.
However, although I like it, I miss the ability to add instant hi-mid and lo-mid without touching the other frequencies, like with my Audere 4 band can. I see the ACG preamp more like having sounds from different basses and setups in one bass, making it versatile for the pro musician.
I did not care too much for the ribbon cables because you cannot rout them like regular wires, and that forced the preamp to be in a specific location. I have a big cavity control so that was no problem.
However, although I like it, I miss the ability to add instant hi-mid and lo-mid without touching the other frequencies, like with my Audere 4 band can. I see the ACG preamp more like having sounds from different basses and setups in one bass, making it versatile for the pro musician.
If there's anything I can fault the ACG for, it's perhaps that it's too versatile, because everything I dial up with this preamp sounds awesome! Just last night I was switching between a punchy/burpy Jaco-esque bridge pu Jazz sound, a throaty/grindy P Bass sound, a clanky Rick 4001 sound, and a MM StingRay hifi twang...and I couldn't decide which I liked best! Excellent recipe for Option Anxiety!
The learning curve is actually pretty easy, such that if I'm ever thinking "I need more bass" or "I need more mids" I can dial that up quickly...but it's true that those intended results don't always come without additional unintended tone shaping.
But I find that even though it's perhaps not quite as targetted [sic] as a conventional shelving/bell EQ, the shaping it does provide somehow seems more "musical" ...I find myself making subtle adjustments on almost a phrase-by-phrase basis, like BB King (this is in the context of a creative jazz ensemble) because it seems the ACG filters can really help contour the emotional trajectory of a melodic line in a way that no other onboard EQ ever could.
Or maybe I just like fiddling wit da knobs...
If you guys want to see how the 3K fits in a rear control cavity with Jazz VVT configuration holes:
The ribbons do keep wiring to a mininum, but I had to extend the leads from the neck pickup because the orientation of the preamp puts the connectors far from it, also it forces me to have the vol/blend pot close to the output jack instead of closer to my right hand. Minor gripes though and I am still learning how to use it
The ribbons do keep wiring to a mininum, but I had to extend the leads from the neck pickup because the orientation of the preamp puts the connectors far from it, also it forces me to have the vol/blend pot close to the output jack instead of closer to my right hand. Minor gripes though and I am still learning how to use it
I was thinking of getting the ACG preamp for my bass guitar also. But I was going to have a P/J setup made for my 6 string bass but now I am confused. Does it really matter what style of pickups I get? After reading this thread I have realized that the preamp is very versatile and I was thinking maybe I should just get regular soapbars instead of P/J setup. The sound I am after was the Victor Wootenish jazz vibe but now I am thinking I can probably get that with soapbars. The reason I say soapbars is because my bass comes with soapbars and I was going to have some Villex pickups made in the P/J setup. Villex can make any type of pickup you want in any exterior.(P/J pickups in soapbar bodies) So like I was saying does it matter what type of pickups you have as long as there clean and clear?
Ok sorry I forgot to add that I would like to be able to change my tone to a finger style or Dub reggae sound also besides just the Wootenish jazz vibe.
Ok sorry I forgot to add that I would like to be able to change my tone to a finger style or Dub reggae sound also besides just the Wootenish jazz vibe.
I'm not sure I quite understand the question. If you mean, "Will the ACG work with either soapbar or P/J pickups"? The answer is "yes", it will work with either one. If the question is "Is the type of pickup completely irrelevent for getting the sound I want?", then I'd say the answer is "No". The ACG is very flexible, but it still starts with the signal coming out of the pickups--if it didn't make any difference, Alan would only offer one type of pickup on his own basses! Get pickups that will give you the tone closest to what you want, and go from there.
FWIW, it's very easy to use a filter-based EQ like the ACG to get a deep dub sound or a midrangy fingerstyle sound just because of how it functions, but it's a little tough to use it to get a slightly scooped Wooten-type sound if that's not there already.
Mike
yep like Mike said, get the sound you want and then shape it with the ACG. But the ACG is powerful enough that you could potentially get all the sounds you want from one pickup, like a high output humbucker for example. Maybe for my next bass.
Also, on a different note, the preamp has gain settings for each pickup, I recommend tweaking those, I was unhappy at first because the sound was weak in the knee, at any setting. Turn up the gain on full for the bridge pickup, full also for the neck but then backed it a hair: perfect for my bass
Also, on a different note, the preamp has gain settings for each pickup, I recommend tweaking those, I was unhappy at first because the sound was weak in the knee, at any setting. Turn up the gain on full for the bridge pickup, full also for the neck but then backed it a hair: perfect for my bass
Good point. I'd guess the gain settings for each pickup would be a great help with a P/J setup, where it's often a bit tough to balance the output between the P and the J.
Mike
Mike
Well it was explained to me that using to different style of pickups will work the best because it has many different tones to adjust. So I am going to stick with the P/J pickup set. But thanks Mike I probably wasn't clear enough. It sounded good in my ahead I just couldn't type it so everyone knew what I was asking.
also watch out, on my bass the preamp is so reactive and transparent that it will show sloppy playing
Also I hope that Alan will start selling the pots as spare parts because I have taken a liking to the on-board wah effect, so there is a lot of knob twisting, I'm afraid I'll wear them out
Also I hope that Alan will start selling the pots as spare parts because I have taken a liking to the on-board wah effect, so there is a lot of knob twisting, I'm afraid I'll wear them out
I know its going to take some getting use to. My setup is with 2 soapbar neck and bridge in series.
Does the VOL pot suppose to have a center detent while the blend doesn't? I find that odd.
Does the VOL pot suppose to have a center detent while the blend doesn't? I find that odd.
I know its going to take some getting use to. My setup is with 2 soapbar neck and bridge in series.
Does the VOL pot suppose to have a center detent while the blend doesn't? I find that odd.
no, you have the 2 ribbons for the vol/blend pot reversed on the board.
Just installed in a MTD Z5 and I must say it do have some awesome capabilities. However it will take me some time to
peak and understand the manuverse. Excuse my spelling. First off I don't understand why the VOL pot has a center detent and not the blend. WEIRD! Every is operational. I am hoping for a better tone when my Bart PU arrive.
It sounds like you may have the pots plugged into the wrong connectors on the circuit board. Try switching them.
Mike
Hi
The volume pot does not have a centre dente the blend does I suspects as pointed out above you have them round the wrong way. They will work but if you swap them you will have the right pot doing the right thing.
Alan
The volume pot does not have a centre dente the blend does I suspects as pointed out above you have them round the wrong way. They will work but if you swap them you will have the right pot doing the right thing.
Alan
Not according to the layout. The volume pot ribbon color has a specific insert as the pictured illustrations shows . WEIRD! So I swapped the locations and all is well! The pickups will be replaced but it is a high end top of the key-bodaciuos piece of hardware. Get it!
