Club Dark Star

[Mungi]

Aha, very interesting. So you mean apart from adding a magnet, the bisonics in Jack's second Starfire was left untouched? Since bisonics sometimes has one magnet and sometimes two, I asume a magnet was added to a one magnet bisonic.

But the pickups in The Godfather were lo-z, right?

 

[mgod]

Untouched other than magnet, but an active z-drop into passive tone. Its not easy making a Bisonic passively lo-Z. But its amazing.

Yes, the brown Starfire has lo-z trapezoids.

 

[Mungi]

Ok, I see.

Are there any benefits going from hi-z pickups though an active z-drop as opposed to a lo-z pickup going through a pre-amp or a passive transformer?

Excuse me for all the OT in this thread but I think this is so interesting.

 

[edwinhurwitz]

It may also mean that Phil's EBO didn't have a lo-Z stage.


Edwin, have you heard your bass without an active stage, just the output of the pickups?

Interesting. I had assumed that the EB0 did have a lo-Z stage since I recall an interview with Rick (I think) where he discusses the external power supply and the possibility of using batteries).

I ran my Starfire passive for a while before I rebuilt the electronics. It was fairly similar but the preamp card definitely opened up the sound.

 

[mgod]

Ok, I see.

Are there any benefits going from hi-z pickups though an active z-drop as opposed to a lo-z pickup going through a pre-amp or a passive transformer?

Excuse me for all the OT in this thread but I think this is so interesting.

In my opinion, the less stuff in there the better. The lo-Z Starfire RT and I did was intended for only using lo-Z. But lo-Z through a transformer would be my choice to get higher gain.

 

[mgod]

Interesting. I had assumed that the EB0 did have a lo-Z stage since I recall an interview with Rick (I think) where he discusses the external power supply and the possibility of using batteries).

I ran my Starfire passive for a while before I rebuilt the electronics. It was fairly similar but the preamp card definitely opened up the sound.

The EBO might have in fact had the EF circuit. I never got the time line precise. I played it a very long time ago but didn't look at it for that. I'm still awaiting RW's notes on it, but I never bug him like I need to.

I heard an Alembic pickup passive more than 30 years ago at the shop and never forgot the sound. I've talked to Ron about trying to get some sort of passive bypass into my bass, but tain't easy. RT put a bypass into my Model 2 bass and its really useful.

Procrastinate procrastinate.

 

[Mungi]

In my opinion, the less stuff in there the better. The lo-Z Starfire RT and I did was intended for only using lo-Z. But lo-Z through a transformer would be my choice to get higher gain.

Yes, it does make sense keeping the electronics outside the bass. In a sense Bear was right - with all that electronics in there, it wasn't much of a hollowbody.

 

[mgod]

Well, that, yes. But I also meant in line in the circuit, unimpeded in a sense.

 

[edwinhurwitz]

In my opinion, the less stuff in there the better. The lo-Z Starfire RT and I did was intended for only using lo-Z. But lo-Z through a transformer would be my choice to get higher gain.

This is a very enticing option. I'd love to hear a signal path with only the transformer. I'm not sure how I would go about doing a blend (pre transformer or post) but I bet it would sound great right into my Grace M103.

 

[Mungi]

I got that. Was just referring back to you saying Bear had claimed Jack never played a hollowbody.

 

[mgod]

This is a very enticing option. I'd love to hear a signal path with only the transformer. I'm not sure how I would go about doing a blend (pre transformer or post) but I bet it would sound great right into my Grace M103.

I plugged it into my main mic amp, the EAR 824M which IMO has the world's best transformers inside it. It was pretty godly. Gave it back to RT for a 2nd pickup and stepped attenuator. That was 16 years ago.

 

[edwinhurwitz]

I plugged it into my main mic amp, the EAR 824M which IMO has the world's best transformers inside it. It was pretty godly. Gave it back to RT for a 2nd pickup and stepped attenuator. That was 16 years ago.

It better be the best, I just checked the price at Vintage King! I'll stick with my Grace for now.

Stepped attenuators sound like a cool idea as well.

Guess it's time to call RT back, huh?

 

[Mungi]

This has been the most interesting read!!! Thanks for spreading the knowledge.

 

[AuntieBeeb]

I must admit I'd never heard of Dark Star pickups before I saw this thread - and they do look great; lovely pics, guys - but Dark Star are also my favourite brewery...does that count?

 

[spiritbass]

I must admit I'd never heard of Dark Star pickups before I saw this thread - and they do look great; lovely pics, guys - but Dark Star are also my favourite brewery...does that count?

The look is cool, for sure. The tone and response of these is where the mind boggles and causes the ear-to-ear grin. Having the adjustable pole pieces is the icing.

 

[mgod]

It better be the best, I just checked the price at Vintage King! I'll stick with my Grace for now.

Holy crap.

I used to be the importer, and the price was considerably less than half of that.

 

[edwinhurwitz]

Well, Mercenary Audio has it for $11k and Sonic Circus for a mere $8,843. So I guess bargains are there to be had!

 

[spiritbass]

I've posted this one before, but this thread needs more pics...

 

[Mrfstop]

That's a beauty man!!
I agree...not enough visuals in the club.
We need more pics.
Here is the one I still have around sporting the mighty Darkstars....lol

USA Lakland Hollowbody

 

[ctmullins]

Yes, I love the eye candy! Lots of beautiful instruments, and the chromey goodness of the DarkStar enhances them all!

Here's mine, from my recent BotW session: