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New Villex Pickups and Passive EQ

#21
The new line is really different to the Villex "Classic". It's a different animal altogether.

I agree with lunkfur regarding Villex "Classic" 's sonic description. The new line is not only a step forward, but a different step too. More coming. Stay tuned
 
#22
A9X said:
If he's applied for a patent, there's no need to reverse engineer as there'll be enough info in the documentation to work it out. I bet there's no patent, but the pups are epoxy encased so it'll be hard to take one apart and copy.
Click to expand...

The only patents I find in his name (Villen Khanagov, not William Villex) are for the Lace Transsensor and Alumitone pickups.

I figure the Villex pickup are probably based on that principal.
 
#24
A9X said:
As a small manufacturer, I'd never bother to patent. Too hard and costly to defend, so if they really want to steal my idea, let them work for it.
Click to expand...

I agree. Actodyne must have wanted to get patents. They have a bunch of patents already.

They are fun to read! Some of my favorites are the two Bartolini Patents, and any of Willi Stich's (Bill lawrence) stuff.
 
#25
I was at the rehearsal last night with the new Villex pickups and EQ. For most of the set I played flat (even though at some points I went to touch the highs and mids to check the interaction with the band sound). I played through an EBS 15" + tweeter and through a G-K stack (2x10" + tweeter) + 15". The band was very happy for the great sounds provided by the 4 pos rotary switch. I can say that both settings gave me great sounds but the 10"'s added the mids that are a basic part of the sound of the new Villex pickups. I will try them in few live settings in the next couple of weeks (different bands, different settings and different styles; from Heavy metal and hard rock to Reggae and Latin)
 
#27
fullrangebass said:
I was at the rehearsal last night with the new Villex pickups and EQ. For most of the set I played flat (even though at some points I went to touch the highs and mids to check the interaction with the band sound). I played through an EBS 15" + tweeter and through a G-K stack (2x10" + tweeter) + 15". The band was very happy for the great sounds provided by the 4 pos rotary switch. I can say that both settings gave me great sounds but the 10"'s added the mids that are a basic part of the sound of the new Villex pickups. I will try them in few live settings in the next couple of weeks (different bands, different settings and different styles; from Heavy metal and hard rock to Reggae and Latin)
Click to expand...

Just want to confirm something. I was checking my emails with William and he stated that the new system was boost and cut...not boost only. He also stated that he would eventually have detented pots for this system...were you stating that the system was boost only?
 
#28
When I initially installed the EQ, I did not find any detent in the pots, so I thought it was boost only. I checked again and it's boost and cut. I need to post the links that I compare the Barts with the NVT Villex, plus the one that shows the effect of the EQ on the tone
 
#29
fullrangebass said:
When I initially installed the EQ, I did not find any detent in the pots, so I thought it was boost only.
Click to expand...

Yes, William told me he would have to special order some pots to have detented ones that would work with his system and it would take some time before he could do that. He did say that he would be willing to replace the pots for owners of the new system once he had detented pots tho.

This makes the new Villex system even more appealing to me...a boost only setup was interesting, but not as much as this! Got mine on order and should be here soon! :hyper:
 
#36
fullrangebass said:
Imagine that the full cut (all 3 bands are cut) still provides a fantastic sound
Click to expand...

From William: (I hope he doesn't mind me posting this, I don't think it's something he's trying to keep secret)

"News on pots: Factory will be sending me samples with center detent pots in a couple days. That's for tone controls. Volume pots don't need detents. Once I approve it will take 30 - 40 days to get them in quantity."

To me that's damn exciting...the EQ control of an active system, but passive Villex tone. Wow!
 
#37
Marcus Willett said:
From William: (I hope he doesn't mind me posting this, I don't think it's something he's trying to keep secret)

"News on pots: Factory will be sending me samples with center detent pots in a couple days. That's for tone controls. Volume pots don't need detents. Once I approve it will take 30 - 40 days to get them in quantity."

To me that's damn exciting...the EQ control of an active system, but passive Villex tone. Wow!
Click to expand...

Good news!
 
#38
fullrangebass said:
Here is a small file of Bart - Villex NVT comparison

http://www.zshare.net/download/6154095324a9e5/

Same settings, same bass
Click to expand...

Hey Fullrangebass,

First, for some reason my windows media player wont play these clips. Any thoughts as to why?

More importantly, I have read your posts about your enthusiasm for the Villex pups. Have you been able to compare them with Delanos ? My main basses are Turner piezo only. I am going to have built a hybrid fretless that will have RMC piezos and one mag pup very close to the neck. I need a mag pup that is very open, warm, organic/lyrical and can " breathe". Not " barking" like Bartolinis are etc or "nasaly" like bridge pups are in general. Is there a particular Villex 5 string pup that you think would be good for this application ? Again, neck pickup only.

If anyone else has suggestions that would be appreciated also

Thanks much
 
#39
Hi jibreel

I have saved the clips in .wav form to burn in an audio cd and listen through a good audio system (PC speakers don't do justice; trust me on that). I can listen to the download through my Windows media player though. Maybe if you try to re-download it you can play the samples (just a thought).

I have not had any Delanos installed in any of my basses. I have heard them on Sandberg and Marleux basses. They sounded nice but nothing that made jump off the chair or making me want to install them in one of my basses.

Villex pickups are the open/warm/organic sound you are looking for.

The "Classic" Villex is a touch darker sounding compared to the NVT line (not worse; just different). Personally I love the Villex "Classic" esp combined with the PRTB for a thick, filling sound (even dub can easily be dialed in); the NVT provides even more options in a more open sonic frame (try listening to the audio clips to hear what goes there with th NVT) . My gut feeling is that the "Classic" suits better what you are trying to achieve. If you can be patient till Monday night that I will use the Villex "Classic" and the NVT in the same settings with two producers and many other musicians around.

The NVT does not make the "Classic" obsolete; they are different animals yet in the same direction of full, organic and balanced (no bark, clank or harsh sounds here)
 

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