Great mod for few $s!

[zulujack]

Bought one of these off the bay:

(ARTEC EX3 / ONBOARD ACTIVE GUITAR EQ)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...10589&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_5614wt_1138

Installed it in edition to an active 3B circuit I already had in my jazz bass. It was quite simple to do. You just need to connect the 4 correct wires (ground, battery +, IN+, OUT+) and off you go. It's a tone switch with 3 modes. I can now go from a Jaco'esque growl in position 1 to normal finger style in position 2 to a kick-arse slap tone in position 3. I think I have just eliminated another peddle from my board!

 

[bassteban]

Interesting- which pedal does this replace for you?

 

[zulujack]

In my case it replaces a 2 channel compressor, but for others it may be an EQ peddle, Limiter/Enhancer, or similar.

 

[zulujack]

Its so good that I have ordered another couple to retrofit a few more from the collection. Its so simple, so cheap and so good!

 

[mcnach]

Hmm, got me curious, just bought one to try.

Can you post any clips?

 

[Vic Winters]

Flat Boost?

 

[BrBss]

Flat Boost?

Yes, it (appears to) boost all frequencies evenly in this position, to avoid volume spikes when using the other modes.

 

[DWBass]

Looks like they do a bunch of different types of knobs and switches.

http://www.artecsound.com/pickups/electronics/index.html

 

[mcnach]

Yes, it (appears to) boost all frequencies evenly in this position, to avoid volume spikes when using the other modes.

That too, but the flat position should allow you to keep your bass signal in pretty good condition regardless of the cable you use, whether it's a short or long cable (with the treble attenuation that it causes), if you care about those things.

 

[zulujack]

I'm not sure what boost (if any) the mid position provides, but it sounds like its just flat response. The other two modes will either boost mids or bass/treble. It obviously won't let you fine tune it, but I find it really practical in a live scenario where i can just flick a switch and get a pretty decent slap tone without turning any knobs. Its quiet and doesn't change the natural sound of the pickups. I've installed it on 2 basses now one with SD J pickups and one with EMG (Active) P/Js. What I have found is that it works a marginally better on the the passive pickups (with active circuit) than it does on the EMGs. Still not bad though, just not as good. I'd like to try it on a set of Barts as they are my pickup of choice these days. I'll try and get some clips up at some stage.

 

[darkstorm]

Ok for super low budget mod but rather lacking in user choice for things levels and settings etc. Better to spend a bit more for one that has adjusment pots rather then just mfg decided stuff selectable by a switch.

 

[mcnach]

I'm not sure what boost (if any) the mid position provides, but it sounds like its just flat response.

Well, I haven't installed mine yet, but the blurb about it states the mid position is a "flat booster"...

 

[zulujack]

Ok for super low budget mod but rather lacking in user choice for things levels and settings etc. Better to spend a bit more for one that has adjusment pots rather then just mfg decided stuff selectable by a switch.

That's not what I'm using it for. My basses all have preamps in them already. I can fine tune levels and settings. The problem is if you are doing slap and finger style playing in the same set, or even song then tone is always a compromise. This lets you quickly and easily toggle between 3 different modes. To me and for what I do that is just a cheap, practical mod.