goonieman Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 Hi All, I got this lovely bubinga/all wenge neck corvette today. Plays great, sounds great, only the preamp is really weird! It acts more like a parametric - and the vol knob is not push/pull (were they back in mid-90s?) Anyway, the 'bass' on the concentric pot has no mid-point indent, while the top 'treble' does. But I get the impression the treble is the mid sweep, whereas the bass is acting like the boost/cut. Moreover (get this) - when the 'treble' is centred on the indent, the 'bass' underneath no longer does anything! I've been suckered, haven't I ? This is some whole-other hack preamp going on, right? Does it even look like a MEC preamp!? Forget that piece of plastic in the middle there - some hack job to hold the back plate on. It';ll be gone soon! Needless to say... advice needed... I don't want to send it back because I bought it from Spain unseen (I know.... I know... so kill me...). It's covered by ebay rules. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grangur Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 This won't help, but Warwicks sound great in passive mode. I play all mine in passive all the time. See.. I said this wouldn't help. On the other hand, if you can get a used pre-amp from another BCer, you'll have a great bass. ( I know the down-side is you thought you wouldn't have to spend anything on it.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goonieman Posted June 30, 2015 Author Share Posted June 30, 2015 [quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1435681174' post='2811398'] On the other hand, if you can get a used pre-amp from another BCer, you'll have a great bass. ( I know the down-side is you thought you wouldn't have to spend anything on it.) [/quote] Quite right - and I don't mind a bit of DIY, but what the h3ll is this doo-hickey in my friggin' bass?! Sigh. Ebay.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahpook Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 (edited) [quote name='goonieman' timestamp='1435680677' post='2811388'] Hi All, I got this lovely bubinga/all wenge neck corvette today. Plays great, sounds great, only the preamp is really weird! It acts more like a parametric - and the vol knob is not push/pull (were they back in mid-90s?) [/quote] It sounds very much like that's what it is - the control with the notch is the boost level and the other is the frequency. Perhaps it's an aftermarket EQ...does the control on the front look the as other prolines ? Looking at that picture of the control cavity, that volume pot looks odd - not the same as the warwicks I've seen iirc Edited June 30, 2015 by ahpook Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goonieman Posted June 30, 2015 Author Share Posted June 30, 2015 [quote name='ahpook' timestamp='1435687377' post='2811495'] Looking at that picture of the control cavity, that volume pot looks odd - not the same as the warwicks I've seen iirc [/quote] Yeah, I googled imaged-ed MEC preamps in warwicks, and they all have the little 'MEC' embossed in enamel on the circuit boards and pots. None of which is present here. It sounds good though - but there are some seriously unusable settings to it. I cannot find afterarket prices on a MEC 2-band either... any ideas anyone? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahpook Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 MEC stuff can be very expensive - I know EMG to a bass-and-treble-on-a-concentric-knob, but so do Artec, who I've used in the past and liked a lot...cheaper too ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grangur Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 (edited) I have a pre-amp harness in a Fender Jazz Deluxe bass that I might feel inclined to change. I'm not sure yet, but if I do the Fender Pre-amp could be available. What it has is Vol, Blend, Stacked Treble/Bass, Mids So there are 4 knobs; 1 more than you have. IF we can come to an agreement, and if it's the right thing for you, I could sell you this. I'm in no rush though. Let's see if anyone else comes up with any more info. There's no passive mode, but maybe you can fit a by-pass switch after the blend and by-passing the tone pots/pre-amp, linking the blend straight to the jack. What does the seller have to say on the subject? Edited June 30, 2015 by Grangur Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goonieman Posted June 30, 2015 Author Share Posted June 30, 2015 Thanks Grangur! Let's see how it pans out - I will have to do a lot of research before selecting a pre. The seller seems very angry. Says it is 'a used bass' kinda like, 'what do you expect', 'geez'. He says if I want a new bass, I should buy a new bass. it's gonna get interesting... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeFRC Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 Not mec - possibly the square pot is. But looking at it it doesnt look bad... no markings on any board? Got more photos? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeFRC Posted June 30, 2015 Share Posted June 30, 2015 My money is on an emg preamp there btw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goonieman Posted June 30, 2015 Author Share Posted June 30, 2015 [quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1435701871' post='2811726'] My money is on an emg preamp there btw [/quote] Thanks Luke - they look like EMG knobs don't they? But it is a very weird thing - a parametric mid-boost circuit? Anyway, cut a long story short, the guy has given me a notably humble sum compensation. This is despite sending the wrong strap locks and a broken electronics cover for the back. Sigh. Good news: the bass roars and the neck is dead straight. Just-a-nut 1 is in good condition. Truss rod works like a dream. It's gonna be a bit of a mongrel - i'll start a new thread on suggested preamps! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grangur Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 Good luck with the project. Another possibility for you is a corvette body that's for sale in the marketplace here. That might give you all the parts you need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goonieman Posted July 1, 2015 Author Share Posted July 1, 2015 Thanks Grangur. I've PM'd on the parts, but the preamp is passive, and i'm really after the option of passive/active push/pull. Nice looking body though on that corvette! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grangur Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 [quote name='goonieman' timestamp='1435731634' post='2811818'] Thanks Grangur. I've PM'd on the parts, but the preamp is passive, and i'm really after the option of passive/active push/pull. Nice looking body though on that corvette! [/quote] Yes, I went and saw that after posting; shame really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeFRC Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 http://www.emgpickups.com/accessories/bass-accessories/tone-controls/vmc.html there you go - think that's what you've got. It's not really that weird - unless you need lots of bass boost all the time it probably makes as much sense as a two band eq on a bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grangur Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 [quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1435733085' post='2811826'] [url="http://www.emgpickups.com/accessories/bass-accessories/tone-controls/vmc.html"]http://www.emgpickup...ntrols/vmc.html[/url] there you go - think that's what you've got. It's not really that weird - unless you need lots of bass boost all the time it probably makes as much sense as a two band eq on a bass. [/quote] East Pre-amps have a VMC as well. So they're not unknown. I guess it's a case of experimentation to learn how to use it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goonieman Posted July 1, 2015 Author Share Posted July 1, 2015 aha, thanks guys! That must be it! It's certainly a difference to what i'm used to. I will try to get used to it and see how it goes for a while. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beany2510 Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 Hi. I have a stash of new old stock mec pots ( from a luthier friend), i dont have and preamps but if you can find the mec part numbers, i may have what you need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White Cloud Posted September 26, 2015 Share Posted September 26, 2015 Dodgy electronics...but a great bass all the same. Please keep us updated with any developments, these are great basses and well worth the emotional investment that you are currently contributing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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