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Spectorcore/Fishman Powerbass preamp info?

Discussion in 'Pickups & Electronics [BG]' started by hankjay, Jul 17, 2013.

  1. Jul 17, 2013 #1
    hankjay

    hankjay

    Aug 25, 2011
    Southeast MO
    A little back story: Many moons ago, I got a wild notion to remove the Fishman Powerbass preamp from my Spectorcore to make it a passive bass. All went well, but I didn't make any 'before' documentation or pics as to what went where before I unsoldered everything (D'oh!). Fast forward to now, and I'd like to reinstall the preamp. Jimmy at Spector (awesome, awesome customer service) did get me the hand drawn diagram he made of the circuit, but there are a couple of connections missing on it. I also contacted Fishman directly and the guy I spoke to said they no longer make this preamp (shipped them all to Korea maybe?) and they don't have any documentation available.

    So my question is, does anyone have any manuals, etc. of this preamp somewhere, or is there a Spectorcore owner out there with way too much free time that can take a photo or diagram this thing? My eternal gratitude would be yours!
     
  2. Jul 17, 2013 #2
    Scottkarch

    Scottkarch

    Sep 11, 2012
    Chicago
    I just received one YESTERDAY. Bought it from a wonderful guy here on TB. I'll open up the back, take some pictures and post them. I hope it helps.
     
  3. Jul 17, 2013 #3
    Scottkarch

    Scottkarch

    Sep 11, 2012
    Chicago
    Popped open the back. the wiring is zip tied up pretty tightly.

    It looks like a few sets of RED and BLACK wires.. so because of the bundle, I don't quite know what goes where...

    If this is no help, let me know and I'll un-zip tie the bundle and photograph them separated.

    the original large size images are here

    IMAGES

    here are smaller sizes to give you an idea.

    sc1.jpg

    sc2.jpg

    sc3.jpg

    sc4.jpg
     
  4. Jul 17, 2013 #4
    Scottkarch

    Scottkarch

    Sep 11, 2012
    Chicago
    I havent even had a chance to plug it in yet.. but if I like the Piezo tone, I'm really interested in putting a piezo bridge on my MIM Jazz as well.

    It looks like there are really inexpensive bridges available on Ebay and then an after market preamp and controls..... and more research and work. Are there any inexpensive bridge/preamp/vol/balance packages people know about?
     
  5. Jul 17, 2013 #5
    hankjay

    hankjay

    Aug 25, 2011
    Southeast MO
    Awesome, congrats on the bass! I really like mine, but the combination of frets and the piezo was a little too...zingy? for me at the time. Now regret has set in and it needs to be restored to it's former glory :) Any pics you can provide would be amazing, thanks!
     
  6. Jul 17, 2013 #6
    Scottkarch

    Scottkarch

    Sep 11, 2012
    Chicago
    Mine is fretless. I'm hoping that combo will work better. When I get a chance ill carefully snip the zip tie and do my beast to spread out the wires and photograph them.
     
  7. Jul 17, 2013 #7
    hankjay

    hankjay

    Aug 25, 2011
    Southeast MO
    Whoa, I must have had my reply typed up because I totally missed the pics. Those are perfect! Thanks a TON!!! Don't worry about clipping it open, no need to unleash that mess :) I was concerned about the bundle of wires wrapped in red (labelled M IN coming off the preamp) looks like the lead is going to the middle pole on the volume pot, which I wasn't sure about.

    I imagine the fretless will sound awesome. I do like the piezo unit itself, not noisy, good battery life, and makes a very versatile instrument. Just seemed like the frets could get 'scratchy' sometimes. I put some flats on and that helped a bit, but then I got the idea to take the preamp out...bleh! I can't comment on any other units, but I do know Fishman doesn't make the bridge or preamp anymore. They thought I was talking about a Powerchip EQ until I actually sent pics of mine. How Spector still installs these for this bass is a mystery :) Anyway, here's to hoping you enjoy yours! And many thanks again for the help!
     
  8. Jul 17, 2013 #8
    Scottkarch

    Scottkarch

    Sep 11, 2012
    Chicago
    You're welcome. I hope it helps. And if you need something else, just contact me.
     
  9. Mar 29, 2014 #9
    tobias3469

    tobias3469 Supporting Member

    Sep 28, 2013
    West Los Angeles
    Has anyone else on the board noticed treble and bass controls have almost no control of tone? Almost sounds like 0% effect on tone. Brand new 9V... Is it just a very subtle EQ or am I missing something?

    edit: I spent some time playing and listening to this bass through a good pair of studio headphones (DT880) and I was able to hear the EQ. It is subtle. At least I know it's not broken ;)
     
  10. Jul 27, 2015 #10
    doctordawg

    doctordawg

    Oct 2, 2007
    Tour-A-Lot
    Tone knobs on my SpectorCore are strictly high end rolloff, one for the passive soapbar, and one for the piezo. Piezo has some pretty effective tone coloring as you roll it back, removing all the "zingyness" at the full off position, giving it a big "woolly" sound that's more fun than useful.