Alembic electronics in a Modulus Q4

Started by briant, July 12, 2008, 11:13:18 PM

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briant

I know I should just be calling the Mothership about this but I'm hoping to get an early answer from all you people who know.
 
I have a Q4 and I'm wanting to replace the pickups and electronics with something like the Signature electronics.  So how accurate are my thoughts here?
 
I want the full-on Signature electronics sound all the time on this bass. I don't care about having filters with this bass.  I am thinking the Signature sound with no filters but add a bass and treble control.  Will that work?  Does the Signature electronics with no filter controls still sound basically like the Signature electronics with a filter cranked all the way to full?  And how close are the pickups to the EMG HZ humbuckers?  How much will I have to route out?
 
Inquiring minds want to know.

David Houck

I'm guessing here, but I think an AE-3 set of Activators will do what you are wanting.  Pickup sizes are here.

tbrannon

I'm pretty sure that Kris (Keurosix) has an Activator equipped Modulus....

adriaan

The filter adds a little resonance peak at the cut-off point (3500Hz?) even before the Q boost. Without the filter, you don't have that specific peak. Not sure if you would completely miss having it.

David Houck

I didn't think about that Adriaan, but I think you're right; I do seem to recall reading that it's the filter circuitry that does produce a slight peak at the cutoff point even without the boost.  So there would be a difference in tone with no filter circuit.  Wide open would be 6000Hz.  So the difference in the lack of that peak would be noticed at the high end.

keurosix

Toby is correct, however, my Modulus has an unconventional setup: 3 pickups with 3 on/off switches, a vol and a filter with a 2 position Q switch. I believe it is one of my best sounding basses! Here she is 3rd from left:  

  Here's a solo shot:

 I would think a "Signature setup" without filters would not be a "Signature setup". The filters are what makes the classic sound, even for the series circuits, which the signature design is following. However, adding Q switches will require drilling, and a finsih touchup or total refinish. Something to consider. I did not want to commit to that with mine, so I opted for a simple circuit to occupy all the original holes that came with my Modulus TBX Quantum 5. Kris