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Traben Club

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#681
I'd try to find a Chaos Core, the preamp (Aguilar) and 5 way switch for coil tapping makes all the difference for versitility. They look more traditional, no external bridge, but that could be good or bad depending on what you like.

I own Both internal bridge Chaos Core (for sale) and a Fretless Sun with external bridge. Both have great sound and both sustain well. I did put a Aguilar OBP-3 preamp in my Sun though, what an amazing difference.
 
#682
must be the metal fan in me, but where i see people wanting a more traditional look, i find myself thinking, 'if im going to get one of these, it sure as hell better have the badass looking bridge on it' lol. didnt like the look of the chaos models but theyve grown on me, and having looked at the control diagram i can see what you mean about versatility, they seem to have every possible coil configuration covered.

dont think ive seen any chaos models around (im in the UK) so they might not be an easy option anyway. the two array models i mentioned are apparently going for way less than id expect.
 
#686
I actually did a few things to the sun. I put in the obp-3 with switchable mid freqs. This allows me dial in the perfect sound, or just compensate for the basswood bodies mid ranginess. I put in a coil tapping switch for the MM pickup and a series / parallel switch.

With all this versatility I can get it to sound like a fretted bass, a ripping / growly monster or a sweet jazz with great mah-wah and the biggest B I've ever heard. All this and I retained the 29 cent Korean pickups which are surprising articulate. I found the initial sound issues all came from the factory pre-amp which just was not tuned for a basswood fretless.

If anyone is looking for a traben preamp, I'd sell it, prewired.
 
#687
Hmmm, how did you coil tap the pickup, been a while before I opened mine up, but I don't think it was four conductor.

That parallel mode would sound great with the fretless-ness....
 
#689
It's parallel in the stock configuration and it's a 4 wire pickup. I have the wire codes at home for the start and finish colors and could post a wiring diagram of how I wired it if you would like. It would take me a couple of days to draw it up. I should also note that the series / parallel switch only runs the MM pickup. This being said, if you pan to the middle you have the 2 MM coils added together in series and the J is parallel. This is a very cool, aggressive sound that still gives you clear highs. If you sweep to just the MM it is a straight series sound which is very agressive, loud and growly with lots of midrange punch. Strings are a huge part of the fretless-ness you mentioned, I believe they need to balanced and complex. I use D'adario XL nickels in super extra long 45-130. Yes Rounds!
 
#690
I'd definatly be interested, if you wouldn't mind!

I'm very suprised, I know my fretted(old style Kore) is only two wire, and thought my fretless(Tribal Sun, same as yours) was, this is exciting news!
 
#691
Darkstrike,
What is your serial #, this may make a difference?
Next take off your control cover and check out how many wires are coming from the MM.
Do you want to do the coil tapping? Series / Parallel, or both?
Are you comfortable with a soldering iron?
What kind of strings do you use?
What is you action height and pickup height?

Sorry for all the questions but all of these factors make a huge difference in the way the bass sounds.
 
#692
Montanamike said:
Darkstrike,
What is your serial #, this may make a difference?
Next take off your control cover and check out how many wires are coming from the MM.
Do you want to do the coil tapping? Series / Parallel, or both?
Are you comfortable with a soldering iron?
What kind of strings do you use?
What is you action height and pickup height?

Sorry for all the questions but all of these factors make a huge difference in the way the bass sounds.
Click to expand...

I just checked, definatly two wires. :hmm:

My serial, IIRC, is in the early 8 thousands.

Bummer.

Ah well, it sounds good as is, and I may yet change the pre-amp.

Oh, FWIW, I have Labella Flats on it, I have another fretless bass with rounds, to do the modern agressive singing tone.
 
#695
I have a hard time believing that it is 2 wire. Not that I don't believe you. Post some pics of the control cavity, the blend and volume knobs knob specifically.

I found that mine had something very goofy. Traben only hooked up 1 of the two MM pickups from the factory. They had the other going to ground on the back of the volume knob. This made it look like it eas only a 2 wire. Do a tap test with a screwdriver in the MM and see if both the front and back pickups of the MM are working. My bet is it is only one of the two.
 
#699
OK, here's pics of my brand new Chaos Obsession 5 string. Can I have a number please? :hyper:

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I'm so happy!

Edit: Her name is Coco!
 
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