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ACG onboard preamp (ACG/John East design)

#61
itzs said:
I must say that its getting harder to put my bass down since installing the pre. this is one FUN preamp... =)
Click to expand...

Agreed. I don't actually use the preamp to get lots of different sounds. I use it to dial in my sound for the room and on the rare occasion that I use a different rig. It's exactly what I've been looking for....and I didn't even know it! I will repeat myself....I enjoy playing my bass so much more now with this preamp.

One suggestion though that I've not mentioned.....because of the way that the pots are mounted onto the boards, it was very difficult to put the preamp into my bass with a pre existing layout. Maybe that could be something to be changed in the future. I had to set up my bass where the pan pot is where the volume was and vise versa. It won't be a problem in my next bass but it made things difficult in my current one. I've certainly adjusted though. I'd like to be able to mount the pots in the order that I'd like and have that option...such as possibly putting the volume at the end of the line, ala Brubaker.
 
#62
We are changing the layout on the 4 knob version so that the Volume and the Blend will be wired to the board rather than the blend fixed to the board. We are also duplicating the bass filter stack connector on the other side of the board as well. This should make installing the board easier and the whole set-up more flexible. Keep the thoughts coming guys it is very much appreciated.
Alan
 
#63
Skelf said:
We are changing the layout on the 4 knob version so that the Volume and the Blend will be wired to the board rather than the blend fixed to the board. We are also duplicating the bass filter stack connector on the other side of the board as well. This should make installing the board easier and the whole set-up more flexible. Keep the thoughts coming guys it is very much appreciated.
Alan
Click to expand...

Great to hear! Alan, let us know when this is available.
 
#65
emjazz said:
Agreed. I don't actually use the preamp to get lots of different sounds. I use it to dial in my sound for the room and on the rare occasion that I use a different rig. It's exactly what I've been looking for....and I didn't even know it! I will repeat myself....I enjoy playing my bass so much more now with this preamp.

One suggestion though that I've not mentioned.....because of the way that the pots are mounted onto the boards, it was very difficult to put the preamp into my bass with a pre existing layout. Maybe that could be something to be changed in the future. I had to set up my bass where the pan pot is where the volume was and vise versa. It won't be a problem in my next bass but it made things difficult in my current one. I've certainly adjusted though. I'd like to be able to mount the pots in the order that I'd like and have that option...such as possibly putting the volume at the end of the line, ala Brubaker.
Click to expand...

Heh, just try getting it in a lefty comfortably. It's not quite in the right configuration but, it won't kill me.
 
#66
Still getting to know this preamp. Anyone care to share their default settings that they work from?

Mine is something like that:
Bass filter turned down to 40%,
Treble filter turned down to 50%.
both filters flat(not cut nor boosted)

I find that the problem with boosting is that the mids are much more pronounced than the lows at this setting, and if I wanna turned the filter down to boost the lows, I lose the mids. so still trying to find an in between that will work for me. =)
 
#68
itzs said:
Still getting to know this preamp. Anyone care to share their default settings that they work from?

Mine is something like that:
Bass filter turned down to 40%,
Treble filter turned down to 50%.
both filters flat(not cut nor boosted)

I find that the problem with boosting is that the mids are much more pronounced than the lows at this setting, and if I wanna turned the filter down to boost the lows, I lose the mids. so still trying to find an in between that will work for me. =)
Click to expand...

Hi
With the treble volume turned right down the treble filter will be doing nothing to your sound.
The top pot is a volume control it does not work the same way the gain on the low pass filter does. With the treble filter having a volume allows you to remove the treble filter from your sound as you would not always want the treble component of the sound on all the time.

The ACG EQ01 is still available but only in my own basses.
ALan
 
#69
Hello All,All I can say is WOW!This pre is the real deal.I installed the 5K version in my Jerzy Drozd Excellency 6 (which was alot of work)replacing the Audere 4 band pre.Everything you guys have said about the ACG is right on point.The only draw back for me was the installation.I wish it could have came without the balance pot or any pot installed on the board.For me installing it in the Drozd was tough.I had to router out the battery compartment just to get the balance pot shaft to go through the only hole that would be in alignment with the other pots.Jerzy routed this cavity in stages,making it difficult to place the board on one stage.My Drozd came with six knobs & two switches,so I replaced one knob & both switches with dummies.If the circuit board didn't have a pot mounted on it,installation would have been a breeze.Anyway my attitude was....where there is a will there is a way!Excellent product.Reminds me of when I was an engineer dialing in an Avalon SP 727 pre.You can hear the tonal changes with the slightest movement.Once adjustments are made...Magic!:hyper:
 
#72
Interesting.
I'm looking to replace the Bart NTBT in my fretless (GWB1).
I've been thinking about the Bart NTMB - I've been generally happy with Bart pre's.

My main concern about the ACG, other than the price (wow, it is pricey) is the percieved complexity. I like things simple, sound-wise, and I'm concerned that I'll be too much of a dolt to work this thing out.
 
#73
Question for you guys who are loving the ACG - do you typically play with effects?

I play without, and like the sound of my bass going straight into the amp/cab.
I'm wondering if the ACG would be more of an "effected" sound (e.g., one that people who like effects on their signal would prefer)?
 
#74
Hmm, the ACG doesn't feel too complex once you get used to it. To me it just seems very natural whereas as normal boost/cut preamps are trying to make up for something.

I use plenty of effects, and it's great with all of them, but what do you mean by effected sound?

I dont think anyone who plays with effects ever considers a preamp when dealing with effects, effects are just extensions of a clean tone. Personally, despite all my effects, if I'm replacing the organs of my bass it's completely for clean tone. If it makes effects sound better that's great. It was a plus because it's only 9v vs my old 18v which provided a little too much output. But as far as I can tell most active preamps are 9v.

Short answer: Basses preamp has little to do with effects.
 
#75
Short answer: Basses preamp has little to do with effects.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply.
I've got a bit of flu today, so I may not be as clear as I'd like.

A preamp has little to do with effects.
But the *sound* you're going for - has a lot to do with both effects and the preamp you'd like.
If you like, for example, a lot of chorus, some delay, and some fuzz as part of your essential sound, you might also like an onboard preamp that colored the sound heavily as well. Or maybe not.
But that's what i was trying to get at.

The other parts of your post answer the questions pretty well.

the ACG doesn't feel too complex once you get used to it.
Click to expand...
Personally, despite all my effects, if I'm replacing the organs of my bass it's completely for clean tone.
Click to expand...

Thanks.
 
#76
It takes getting used to, but once that is done, its quite easy to get a good sound that you're completely satisfied with.

I tried to start using effects, but since they are a pain to bring on buses, i stopped using effects for the sake of my poor shoulders. Probably ppl who are not adverse to playing with new stuff(like effects) would be more willing to give it a shot. (some ppl do rigidly stick to just vol/blend/tone passive setup and refuse to have anything more than that on their basses.)
 
#80
I think I'm about to knuckle down and buy this bad boy for my fretless 5 (Ibanez GWB1).
I should be able to order in the next 2 weeks. Will post here when I get it.
 

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