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Alembic question

4

4string4ever

Guest
Apr 18, 2004
766
169
64
Orlando, Florida
#1
Ok, Alembic brainiacs......is it possible to purchase low pass filter electronics and q switching only from Alembic to install on, say, a Persuader? The idea is to not replace the entire existing stuff on the bass, but rather to add to it. The Alembic website is less than clear on this.......
 
#6
Sonorous said:
Ok, your emphasis on the word, "do" makes you seem defensive. I wasn't trying to offend you or anything.

If thats what you want, its cool with me. Those few knobs do amazing things. I would suggest contacting Alembic directly.
Click to expand...

Yes, I'm sure my demaenor appeared that way.......I had just been involved in one of those DP Custom bashing threads.....I was trying to head off the lynch mob.......
 
#7
4string4ever said:
Ok, Alembic brainiacs......is it possible to purchase low pass filter electronics and q switching only from Alembic to install on, say, a Persuader? The idea is to not replace the entire existing stuff on the bass, but rather to add to it. The Alembic website is less than clear on this.......
Click to expand...

Buy an SF2, it's basically the same thing, but with twice the number of filters and a lot more flexibility in a seperate rack mount box. They go for <$US500 all the time here or on ebay.
 
#9
Yeah, I saw those pages. I didn't know that the sf-2 would be pretty much the same thing. The electronics page, though, is not clear as to wether or not you can purchase and install the afforemention components apart from the rest of the guts. Thanks for the heads up.
 
#13
4string4ever said:
Yeah, I saw those pages. I didn't know that the sf-2 would be pretty much the same thing. The electronics page, though, is not clear as to wether or not you can purchase and install the afforemention components apart from the rest of the guts. Thanks for the heads up.
Click to expand...
The onboard Alembic filters are simply a low pass filter (called a state variable filter) with either switchable of continuously variable 'peak' at the point where it rolls off, ie the 'Q' adjustment. The SF2 is the same thing, but with even more flexibility. There's two mixable channels and you can set them low pass, high pass and bandpass.
Sonorous is correct that the pickups will make a difference too, and the pickups on the Persuader won't give you a Series sound (if that's what you're looking for) irrespective of whether it's a PJ, JJ or MXY arrangement but the filters should get you closer to a SC/MK sound, depending on the pups you have installed.

Unless you're good at electronics and woodwork, either send it to Alembic and get the onboard work done (or to another decent luthier), or get the SF2, it will be the cheapest option. Perhaps there's an Alembic fan near you (try the Club) that will meet and allow you to try a bass with the filters in it and an SF2.

I'd ask this at the Alembic Club, or better still, phone them and ask direct. I had some enquiries recently and rang and spoke with Susan Wickersham for some time and she explained exactly why some things could/couldn't/were done. Answered all my questions in a couple of minutes straight from the source.
 
#17
If you want to do something like that, just buy the DOD filter box (fx25? iirc) and take it apart and wire it in line, mount all the controls and a switch, and away you go. Less than 100$ investment. I've though about hot rodding some axes I have with stuff like that. Onboard overdrive and filter...

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