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New Villex Pickups and Passive EQ
- Thread starter fullrangebass
- Start date
- Feb 8, 2005
- 3,636
- 1,053
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Bag End - Dean Markley - Thunderfunk
Well, it can just as any system active or not can. It's not really needed tho, I've got a fretless with Villex pups and no tone pot.
I would think that on the NVT it's redundant since you have treble boost and cut, but I suppose you could put one in the circuit if you really wanted to for some reason.
Well, if you put it this way then the NVT has no controls, as mr. Villex has implied that you can have the NVT pickups without the 3-band eq, or that's how I interpreted the fact that he gave me one price for each pickup and one price for the eq. If that's true, then I guess it also leaves out the assumption that the eq is cut only and the pickups are designed with the bass/mid/treble bumps built in.
- Feb 8, 2005
- 3,636
- 1,053
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Bag End - Dean Markley - Thunderfunk
Well, perhaps I could have put it better. What I mean is that if you purchase the NVT system, you will get 3 band EQ. If you purchase the "classic" system, it includes a mid control but not a tone control; of course it could be added to either system.
My mistake then, I was confused by the fact that the wiring diagrams on the villex site show both a mid and a tone control.
- Feb 8, 2005
- 3,636
- 1,053
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Bag End - Dean Markley - Thunderfunk
Used the system in a few shows and had a few days to mess with it.
The NVT and (what I guess we call it around here) "classic" Villex system are very different beasts. Some have characterized the classic system as "dark" but I wouldn't agree. More "neutral" in that it does not have hyped highs or lows, IMO. Strong fundamental...on some basses this could manifest as more mellow.
The NVT system is more modern and defined. I don't like to say HI-FI because that connotes certain non-organic qualities and the Villex systems are definitely organic. Output is much hotter; on par with many active systems. The EQ is bass-friendly and I would agree with fullrange's assessment of non-interaction. The taper on the EQ is nice as well...you can use it without changes being too drastic if you just touch the knob. Even extreme settings are not unmusical at all. I tried boosting all 3 to max and it does not sound too extreme in the least.
NVT has the output and tonal shaping options of a good active system, and I've tried a lot of them (Sadowsky, Aguilar, Demeter, Bartolini, EMG and quite a few others) but still with the (again for lack of a better word) "organic" quality of passive systems.
I toss that word around a lot and it's admittedly nebulous. I guess the best way I could explain it is to say it is not the "artificial" quality that typifies many active systems, EMG being an extreme example.
To be completely candid I'm not sure which I prefer, and I may not even have a preference. Both systems have their own character and I can definitely see having two basses each with one of the systems. The classic gives me a solid fundamental, and a certain character that (for me) I can see using in a jazz context or something along those lines. The NVT is more modern and growly-er and I can definitely see its' use for more aggressive styles. In fact, if I were naming these systems I would just call them "Classic" and "Modern" respectively.
Such as it is; there is my review.
The NVT and (what I guess we call it around here) "classic" Villex system are very different beasts. Some have characterized the classic system as "dark" but I wouldn't agree. More "neutral" in that it does not have hyped highs or lows, IMO. Strong fundamental...on some basses this could manifest as more mellow.
The NVT system is more modern and defined. I don't like to say HI-FI because that connotes certain non-organic qualities and the Villex systems are definitely organic. Output is much hotter; on par with many active systems. The EQ is bass-friendly and I would agree with fullrange's assessment of non-interaction. The taper on the EQ is nice as well...you can use it without changes being too drastic if you just touch the knob. Even extreme settings are not unmusical at all. I tried boosting all 3 to max and it does not sound too extreme in the least.
NVT has the output and tonal shaping options of a good active system, and I've tried a lot of them (Sadowsky, Aguilar, Demeter, Bartolini, EMG and quite a few others) but still with the (again for lack of a better word) "organic" quality of passive systems.
I toss that word around a lot and it's admittedly nebulous. I guess the best way I could explain it is to say it is not the "artificial" quality that typifies many active systems, EMG being an extreme example.
To be completely candid I'm not sure which I prefer, and I may not even have a preference. Both systems have their own character and I can definitely see having two basses each with one of the systems. The classic gives me a solid fundamental, and a certain character that (for me) I can see using in a jazz context or something along those lines. The NVT is more modern and growly-er and I can definitely see its' use for more aggressive styles. In fact, if I were naming these systems I would just call them "Classic" and "Modern" respectively.
Such as it is; there is my review.
Hi Marcus. I am happy to hear your thoughts and even happier that we share similar thoughts over the NVT pickups and Passive EQ. IMO the NVT line does not make the "Classic" line of pickups osbolete. The former are a bold step forward and have a different character compared with the "Classic". I will try to post an analytic comparison between the two very soon. Once I post I expect that you chime in to add your wealth of knowledge too
Not to lead us off course, but does William Villex suggest a volume/volume setup on the new NVT ["modern"] system?
And why does Villex say this is the way to go with the "classic" pups?
And why does Villex say this is the way to go with the "classic" pups?
I am NOT Mr Villex but he suggests vol/vol setup for an "active-like" blending of the pickups
As far as the "Classic" line goes it is indeed the way to go for a full, balanced, organic sound. The NVT line has only been available for a very short while to very few people and it's not on the website yet (the NVT character is similar yet very different). Don't forget that some people take their time to properly develop their product and then put it up on their site; Mr Villex is one of them
As far as the "Classic" line goes it is indeed the way to go for a full, balanced, organic sound. The NVT line has only been available for a very short while to very few people and it's not on the website yet (the NVT character is similar yet very different). Don't forget that some people take their time to properly develop their product and then put it up on their site; Mr Villex is one of them
- Feb 8, 2005
- 3,636
- 1,053
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Bag End - Dean Markley - Thunderfunk
I've had the new Villex NVT soapbars for a while, but for various reasons (long story, not relevant anyway) only recently had them installed.
I may have to eat my words vis a vis the NVT vs "classic" issue. Been using my NVT equipped bass a bit now, and I gotta say it's a pretty damn impressive system.
One thing that I (and a lot of folks I would imagine) want is that quality of the notes just "speaking" effortlessly. This is to say, when you pluck the string it's just "there" and you don't have to fight the instrument to get the note out. To do this without the tone being overly bright or overly thinned out (like soloing the bridge pickup, for example), has for me anyway always been a holy grail of sorts and damn near impossible. I've heard and used many active systems, and getting that quality while still preserving the organic quality of a passive system just never seems to happen.
The NVT system is the closest I've seen to that ideal. Just last night I used the bass on a jazz trio gig and was amazed at the subtlety that I was able to play with while at the same time the sound was warm and defined. I couldn't really find an EQ setting that sounded bad. I tried every combination....all controls fully clockwise, fully counter, all flat, various combinations...they sounded different but all good and musical.
One thing I liked is that the EQ never seems to sound extreme. It will shape your tone but not so much that you have to "EQ the EQ".
Additionally, there is an almost "active" like pickup blending at work. As most Jazz Bass players know; backing off either pickup a bit (when both full-on) produces a drastic change in tone and volume. With the NVT system, it's much smoother and feels and sounds much more like true (i.e., active) blending. Between that characteristic and the 3 band EQ, a world of tones are available.
Sometimes this can be a bad thing....too many options might mean endless twiddling, and consume more of your mind than the music you're playing. Fortunately as I said all settings sounded good so I didn't feel the need to endlessly tweak...found a sound that worked very well quickly and made only modest tweaks (usually backing off the neck pup during a solo).
All in all, a fantastic system. So much so that I am ordering a new body from Warmoth routed for the Villex soapbars. The job I have now is OK, but now that I am sold on the system, I would like super-clean routs with my NVT equipped bass.
Highly recommended
EDIT: Just to clarify, my earlier review was for the NVT system in the standard J style size (not the soapbars in this review). That was a custom order from Villex and he convinced me to try the sopabar system, believing it to be a superior setup. He was correct.
I may have to eat my words vis a vis the NVT vs "classic" issue. Been using my NVT equipped bass a bit now, and I gotta say it's a pretty damn impressive system.
One thing that I (and a lot of folks I would imagine) want is that quality of the notes just "speaking" effortlessly. This is to say, when you pluck the string it's just "there" and you don't have to fight the instrument to get the note out. To do this without the tone being overly bright or overly thinned out (like soloing the bridge pickup, for example), has for me anyway always been a holy grail of sorts and damn near impossible. I've heard and used many active systems, and getting that quality while still preserving the organic quality of a passive system just never seems to happen.
The NVT system is the closest I've seen to that ideal. Just last night I used the bass on a jazz trio gig and was amazed at the subtlety that I was able to play with while at the same time the sound was warm and defined. I couldn't really find an EQ setting that sounded bad. I tried every combination....all controls fully clockwise, fully counter, all flat, various combinations...they sounded different but all good and musical.
One thing I liked is that the EQ never seems to sound extreme. It will shape your tone but not so much that you have to "EQ the EQ".
Additionally, there is an almost "active" like pickup blending at work. As most Jazz Bass players know; backing off either pickup a bit (when both full-on) produces a drastic change in tone and volume. With the NVT system, it's much smoother and feels and sounds much more like true (i.e., active) blending. Between that characteristic and the 3 band EQ, a world of tones are available.
Sometimes this can be a bad thing....too many options might mean endless twiddling, and consume more of your mind than the music you're playing. Fortunately as I said all settings sounded good so I didn't feel the need to endlessly tweak...found a sound that worked very well quickly and made only modest tweaks (usually backing off the neck pup during a solo).
All in all, a fantastic system. So much so that I am ordering a new body from Warmoth routed for the Villex soapbars. The job I have now is OK, but now that I am sold on the system, I would like super-clean routs with my NVT equipped bass.
Highly recommended
EDIT: Just to clarify, my earlier review was for the NVT system in the standard J style size (not the soapbars in this review). That was a custom order from Villex and he convinced me to try the sopabar system, believing it to be a superior setup. He was correct.
Hi Marcus. I was really waiting to hear your opinion over the NVT Villex pickups and the Passive EQ. I'm happy to hear that I was not TONE-deaf and listening with my eyes 
.
The NVT is really something unique and I'm sold on it, too. I went against Mr Villex and I tried a 4pos rotary switch instead of a vol/vol or vol/blend configuration, losing the ability to blend the pickups (Villex allows for an almost-active blending of his pickups), but I love the series setting between the pickups. All extremes and combinations are musical and useful. I am waiting for Mr Villex to put the project back in track (Even though the project is indefinitely on hold, I have a standing order for another set of NVT pickups from that day, and I am not willing to cancel it. I'm in no rush)
My Emerald Green NVT-loaded Dingwall is one of my top 5 basses ever.
.The NVT is really something unique and I'm sold on it, too. I went against Mr Villex and I tried a 4pos rotary switch instead of a vol/vol or vol/blend configuration, losing the ability to blend the pickups (Villex allows for an almost-active blending of his pickups), but I love the series setting between the pickups. All extremes and combinations are musical and useful. I am waiting for Mr Villex to put the project back in track (Even though the project is indefinitely on hold, I have a standing order for another set of NVT pickups from that day, and I am not willing to cancel it
. I'm in no rush)My Emerald Green NVT-loaded Dingwall is one of my top 5 basses ever.
- Feb 8, 2005
- 3,636
- 1,053
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Bag End - Dean Markley - Thunderfunk
Wait just a gol-durned minnit! I hadn't heard that! Last time I talked with him we discussed making a set of NVT pups with "reversed" magnets...instead of a P like setup making the treble half closer to the neck. I'll have to email him to see what's up. When's the last time you spoke with William?
Oh, you have more updates than me!!! Great. it looks like I will receive my NVT set soon. 
The last talk I had with William regarding the NVT project was quite a while ago (I had other orders in priority
). I am sure that he will let me know when he has something in hand (Proper pots for the Passive EQ were the problem really, not the NVT pickups themselves)
Please let me know over the sonic experience of the "reversed" coil positioning (I assume you will replace the neck pickup and not having a whole set done)
PS when I said that it's on hold indefinitely, I forgot to put a smilie. there. Mr Villex never ceases a worth-while project, but he returns when he has something new to add, either as a solution to a problem or a new approach. And I don't bother him over any ideas that we may have discussed; he always comes back with his thoughts and initial results
The last talk I had with William regarding the NVT project was quite a while ago (I had other orders in priority
). I am sure that he will let me know when he has something in hand (Proper pots for the Passive EQ were the problem really, not the NVT pickups themselves)Please let me know over the sonic experience of the "reversed" coil positioning (I assume you will replace the neck pickup and not having a whole set done)
PS when I said that it's on hold indefinitely, I forgot to put a smilie. there. Mr Villex never ceases a worth-while project, but he returns when he has something new to add, either as a solution to a problem or a new approach. And I don't bother him over any ideas that we may have discussed; he always comes back with his thoughts and initial results
- Feb 8, 2005
- 3,636
- 1,053
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Bag End - Dean Markley - Thunderfunk
Yeah, I talked with him perhaps 4 or 5 weeks ago about that and I certainly didn't get the impression of anything be discontinued. I've sent another email so I'm waiting to hear back. I've noticed he's usually fairly quick with email.
That was certainly the case for me. I was holding out for the detented pots which were really tough to find. In fact IIRC, he only got one set that he was satisfied with to use as an experiment and I was the guinea pig.
No I was planning on replacing both. I was remembering Lee Sklar talking about one of his basses with reversed P pickups for the same reason and I always thought that made sense. We're only talking a difference of perhaps 1/2" (1.27cm for our European brethren), closer to the neck for the D & G (and correspondingly that much closer to the bridge for the B, E and A) but that could make a real difference.
IMHO placing a reverse P does have an inpact on the tone of the instrument.
Replacing both pickups is no problem AFAIK. The Passive EQ pots were the problem and I am waiting to hear if that has been solved.
Mr Villex is the person who will give all definite answers.
Replacing both pickups is no problem AFAIK. The Passive EQ pots were the problem and I am waiting to hear if that has been solved.
Mr Villex is the person who will give all definite answers.
- Feb 8, 2005
- 3,636
- 1,053
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Bag End - Dean Markley - Thunderfunk
I would think it would tend to even things out a bit. Making the top 2 strings a tiny bit fuller and darker and the bottom strings a tiny bit brighter. I wouldn't expect a huge diff, but after reading what Sklar said I'm convinced enough to try...
bongomania
Commercial User
I have a reversed-P bass, and I do believe it makes an audible difference. Not like night and day, but noticeable. Where it especially helps IMO is on the low B string, where it seems to me that the ideal pickup placement for clarity of tone is a little further back than the traditional P sweet spot. I've also seen lots of posts to that effect talking about how dialing in a bit of the bridge pup really helps tighten and clarify the low B tone. So for any P5 I would be strongly inclined to use a reverse P.
- Feb 8, 2005
- 3,636
- 1,053
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Bag End - Dean Markley - Thunderfunk
...just used my newest 5'er with reversed Villex NVT soapbars. It's only been 1 gig in 1 room, so I can't say definitively, but first impressions are very good and I have a hunch I am going to do my best to get William to construct a few more NVT systems!
I think they are on hold for the time being and (if so) it is a damn shame for the bass community as a whole!
I think they are on hold for the time being and (if so) it is a damn shame for the bass community as a whole!
Wherever I took my NVT loaded Dingwall (rehearsal or recording session), people were in awe from the tone of it. Once they came closer and asked me of the bass and electronics, they could not believe it's passive. Even the most devoted active preamp/pickups fans, could not fault the tone and they were in disbelief when they heard that there was no battery. Well done Mr Villex
