New Villex Pickups and Passive EQ

[NicJimBass]

And I would like to stress that judging the anemic output of the NVT pickups, sans Tone Module - Passive EQ (not just fully counter-clockwise, but completely off the signal chain) is like judging the output and tone of active EMG or Bartolini pickups without the battery operating preamp

Good to know! I bought an NVT pickup from Marcus last week and threw it in a Cort Curbow I have... I immediately noticed the output was lower than most every other bass I've played, even when hooked up to the stock preamp. Now, just need to save up for the passive module...

 

[Marcus Willett]

Now, just need to save up for the passive module...

Totally worth it.

Just for clarification, I have gone to a "reversed" setup on my Villex equipped basses, so that pickup was the last one I had that was "regular". The NVT stuff is awesome regardless, but I slightly prefer a reversed pickup.

 

[NicJimBass]

Totally worth it.

Just for clarification, I have gone to a "reversed" setup on my Villex equipped basses, so that pickup was the last one I had that was "regular". The NVT stuff is awesome regardless, but I slightly prefer a reversed pickup.

I take it these pickups are similar to a P-pickup layout then? Meaning the one I now have has the lower of the 2 coils on the low strings, and the higher of the coils on the higher strings?

 

[tubby.twins]

And I would like to stress that judging the anemic output of the NVT pickups, sans Tone Module - Passive EQ (not just fully counter-clockwise, but completely off the signal chain) is like judging the output and tone of active EMG or Bartolini pickups without the battery operating preamp

Well said. They were definitely meant to be used together.

 

[Marcus Willett]

I take it these pickups are similar to a P-pickup layout then? Meaning the one I now have has the lower of the 2 coils on the low strings, and the higher of the coils on the higher strings?

Yeah, they are like a standard P Bass setup, but for 5 strings.

 

[fullrangebass]

Here is a short clip of a Dingwall NVT loaded

The recording was done using the mic of a hand-held cam, from a 12 feet distance (excuse the poor quality and the vocal interference at some point)

The bass was plugged in the Passive input of an SWR Baby Blue II, with the EQ by-passed. Input gain was 30% and the Output vol was at 25%.

The recording starts with all pots set counter clock-wise position and then the pots are going through their range in various combinations. The vast majority of the recording was done with the bridge pickup solo-ed, while at some point I introduce the two pickups in parallel. Let me know what you think about the tones and the range

 

[Willem]

Can the tone module - passive EQ be used with other pickups then villex?
With Nordstrand Big Splits in my case...?

 

[fullrangebass]

I don't think so, but Mr Villex is the person to really ask to get the right answer.

I want to get hold of the rest of the recording to provide more clips of the NVT pickups and tone module - Passive EQ compared with some very fine basses (more to be revealed later)

 

[MultiScaleMale]

Still nothing on the website about the NVT system. Was the problem resolved with finding a supplier for the pots needed for the harness?

 

[tubby.twins]

I sure hope so. In any case, I found some nice pots that work well for me.

I sent Villex an e-mail last week to order another NVT harness, and he responded. I don't know when he plans to update the website.

 

[fullrangebass]

Even though I am NOT affiliated with Villex Electronics in ANY way, I can understand that he wants to provide the best product in the best possible way (and I am aware of the pot problem since the first ever set of NVT harness). I am sure he wants to be able to provide the whole package and not asking for the customers to utilize special external parts, when it comes to using his pickups/electronics (not all are as great/handy/knowledgeable as tubby.twins , whom I deeply respect).

As far as updating his website, I am happy that he chooses to work on his designs and not spend time (at the present time I mean) giving exposure to a GREAT product that only 4-5 people in the world have had the privilege and pleasure of owning and using, without prior smoothing out all (minor) issues. Maybe some some people are willing to understand the nature of those issues, ignore them and be happy with the product (because they are really minor IMHO, and I am sure that tubby.twins agrees with that) but most people would like a simple drop-fit trouble/hassle free use of the product.

These is just MY personal thoughts and definitely NOT putting words in Mr Villex' mouth

By the way, I am waiting for my next NVT set (pickups/harness) too. I am hooked on them

 

[MultiScaleMale]

Even though I am NOT affiliated with Villex Electronics in ANY way, I can understand that he wants to provide the best product in the best possible way (and I am aware of the pot problem since the first ever set of NVT harness). I am sure he wants to be able to provide the whole package and not asking for the customers to utilize special external parts, when it comes to using his pickups/electronics (not all are as great/handy/knowledgeable as tubby.twins , whom I deeply respect).

As far as updating his website, I am happy that he chooses to work on his designs and not spend time (at the present time I mean) giving exposure to a GREAT product that only 4-5 people in the world have had the privilege and pleasure of owning and using, without prior smoothing out all (minor) issues. Maybe some some people are willing to understand the nature of those issues, ignore them and be happy with the product (because they are really minor IMHO, and I am sure that tubby.twins agrees with that) but most people would like a simple drop-fit trouble/hassle free use of the product.

These is just MY personal thoughts and definitely NOT putting words in Mr Villex' mouth

By the way, I am waiting for my next NVT set (pickups/harness) too. I am hooked on them

Don't take this wrong, but it sounds like he'd invented the light bulb but can't decide if he should use aluminum or copper for the base. Oh well, I was interested in the pickups since I've heard the pickup module for the Stick that he designed. I'm just confused as to why it's so difficult to bring to market when others have found suitable pots.

PS - I'm really not trying to be snarky.

 

[fullrangebass]

I am happy when mature adults can have a nice talk!!! (I am not ironic; I am happy that people can communicate in a nice and knowledgeable way)

The pot issue is not as straight forward as it sounds. I can only say that.

If there was an easy way out, Mr Villex would have found it, because I am sure that he wants to offer his products to a bigger part of the market

 

[tubby.twins]

As far as I can tell, the biggest issue with the pots is that Villex is using anti-log (reverse logarithmic) taper pots for 3 out of the 5 controls on the NVT harness. These are hard to find in the best of circumstances, especially with dimensions suitable for a bass guitar and resistance values appropriate for the needs of the NVT system. Plus, even though many of the pot manufacturers would be happy to make these to order, they require a large quantity to justify their investment. Unfortunately Villex does not have the resources of a large company such as EMG, who can order custom pots and other electronic parts with impunity.

I've found that linear pots work just about as well for my needs, but I can certainly understand Villex's desire to get things "just right" based on his specifications. In another bass with Villex classic pickups, have also used regular audio taper (logarithmic) pots wired backwards, but I'm not sure everyone would want their Villex basses to have backwards pots.

Regarding the website, I would also like to see more information about the newest product developments, but I can understand the constraints of time. If he has a limited amount of time and a bunch of orders to fulfil, I would probably agree that the maintenance of the website has a lower priority. I am working on some other projects now, but when I am finished I will offer my assistance to see if he would like some volunteer help for the website.

 

[fullrangebass]

As far as I can tell, the biggest issue with the pots is that Villex is using anti-log (reverse logarithmic) taper pots for 3 out of the 5 controls on the NVT harness. These are hard to find in the best of circumstances, especially with dimensions suitable for a bass guitar and resistance values appropriate for the needs of the NVT system. Plus, even though many of the pot manufacturers would be happy to make these to order, they require a large quantity to justify their investment. Unfortunately Villex does not have the resources of a large company such as EMG, who can order custom pots and other electronic parts with impunity.

I've found that linear pots work just about as well for my needs, but I can certainly understand Villex's desire to get things "just right" based on his specifications. In another bass with Villex classic pickups, have also used regular audio taper (logarithmic) pots wired backwards, but I'm not sure everyone would want their Villex basses to have backwards pots.

Regarding the website, I would also like to see more information about the newest product developments, but I can understand the constraints of time. If he has a limited amount of time and a bunch of orders to fulfil, I would probably agree that the maintenance of the website has a lower priority. I am working on some other projects now, but when I am finished I will offer my assistance to see if he would like some volunteer help for the website.

Couldn't have said it better.

 

[GYang]

As far as I can see, NVT system is far from being enough revolutionary or polished to be proposed as such.
Lower output, as noticed by some users, shows us direction of passive, inductance based EQ approach (good proven solution) that can't go against laws of physics and requires amplifying of signal to bring it again to proper levels. Without amp at the end of chain, passive EQs are limited in manipulating freqs (what is not bad thing in many cases).
IMO Villex pickups as they exist currently are among the best offered in the market and together with their mid control (which is still same inductance based circuitry) can be only warmly suggested to bass players.
NVT was attempt to add functionality that simply cannot work (or CAN WORK to limited extent, so it may looks like real booster) and for that reason Villex probably didn't make final step in commercializing the whole idea (again smart move IMHO).

 

[SGD Lutherie]

As far as I can see, NVT system is far from being enough revolutionary or polished to be proposed as such.
Lower output, as noticed by some users, shows us direction of passive, inductance based EQ approach (good proven solution) that can't go against laws of physics and requires amplifying of signal to bring it again to proper levels.

You are missing something. The Villex system uses a transformer to step up the signal. So they absolutely can develop some boost from a passive system.

Villex pickups are probably similar to the Lace Transsensor pickups, which were the predecessors to the Alumitones, since Mr. Villex invented them. They are single loop current driven pickups.

They both use a current transformer to bring the feeble signal up to normal levels. So it wouldn't be hard to stick your passive tone stack between the pickup and the step up transformer.

Obviously you can't get the same range of boost as from an active system, but it does work. The lower output is likely due to the insertion loss from the tone stack, although it's not as great as it would be with no transformer.

You also get a slight boost from your passive tone control when it's turned all the way down, because it forms a tuned resonant system. So the energy that is lost from the tone cap shows up as a resonant boost.

 

[Tslicebass]

Can anybody help me with a answer/wiring diagram. I hit up villex via email with the same request but no word yet.
I have a customer who wants me to install a villex passive eq into a bass with villex classic pickups. The pickup config is J in the neck and MM in the bridge. Every wiring diagram I have come across is for either a two band villex eq or the newer villex pickups with only 2 lead wires.
The pre I am working with is 3 band and the pickups have the 4 wire leads (red, white, black, exposed)
My main issue is where do I connect the red and white wires from the pickups. I know the blacks are the pickup hot and grey is ground. I have read some posts that say to connect the red and white to the mid module/pot but on my setup the pot terminals are soldered into the module. There are separate areas on the module where the leads from the volume pots are soldered. Do I wire the red and whites to one of the other eq pots? I can supply pictures if necessary.

 

[tubby.twins]

My main issue is where do I connect the red and white wires from the pickups. I know the blacks are the pickup hot and grey is ground. I have read some posts that say to connect the red and white to the mid module/pot but on my setup the pot terminals are soldered into the module. There are separate areas on the module where the leads from the volume pots are soldered. Do I wire the red and whites to one of the other eq pots? I can supply pictures if necessary.

The red and white wires are part of the Villex passive midrange cut circuit. This is separate from whatever active EQ circuits are part of your pre-amp. You should ask your customer if they want to use the passive control in addition to the 3-band EQ on the pre-amp. You can do it either way.

If you don't want to use the passive circuit, simply tape off the wires. For this option, Villex actually recommends connecting them in series with a 500Kohm resistor (or higher) in place of a pot, but I've found that the pickups work just fine without the passive circuit if you tape off the wires (i.e. don't connect them to anything).

If you do, you should follow the wiring diagram's on Villex's website. You will need a separate pot, which may have been included with the pickups. Don't connect these wires to the midrange EQ pot on your active pre-amp.

Let me step back and ask you which 3-band pre-amp you are using? Can you tell me about the "areas on the module" where the volume pots are soldered, as well as where the summed output from the volume pots goes?

 

[Tslicebass]

The red and white wires are part of the Villex passive midrange cut circuit. This is separate from whatever active EQ circuits are part of your pre-amp. You should ask your customer if they want to use the passive control in addition to the 3-band EQ on the pre-amp. You can do it either way.

If you don't want to use the passive circuit, simply tape off the wires. For this option, Villex actually recommends connecting them in series with a 500Kohm resistor (or higher) in place of a pot, but I've found that the pickups work just fine without the passive circuit if you tape off the wires (i.e. don't connect them to anything).

If you do, you should follow the wiring diagram's on Villex's website. You will need a separate pot, which may have been included with the pickups. Don't connect these wires to the midrange EQ pot on your active pre-amp.

Let me step back and ask you which 3-band pre-amp you are using? Can you tell me about the "areas on the module" where the volume pots are soldered, as well as where the summed output from the volume pots goes?

I'm actually installing a villex passive 3 band eq. There is no other pre amp. Just the villex classic mm and J pickups and the villex 3 band "preamp"