skelf

I actually don’t have any at the moment. I am not sure where John gets them from or if they are made for him. Maybe drop him a line and ask. 

The springs are there to ground the upper knob to the pot lower ring. It was previously not needed because the knobs were brass but with the move to aluminium John found that they needed the spring to be fully grounded so were added. Should be a spring in all of the knobs. It also depends on the type of preamp the EQ01 is less prone to this issue. John explained why but there is a reason he does the preamps and I don’t. 

Hi 
 

Totally understand and don’t fundamentally disagree just pointing out it can be a pretty simple process if you want/need it to be. 
Trust you are well and getting through the current situation with minimum trouble. 
 

Cheers

Alan

40 minutes ago, TrevorR said:

For this user I’d currently steer well clear of custom orders... as a newbie I doubt that they’d have refined their tastes enough to be able to decide on the manifold custom options a new build entails.

At that price point there are a limited number of choices available so sorting out the spec is relatively simple and pain free.

Cheers

Alan

Just to let you know you will have company. I am actually going to have to record a demo of the SLG 5 for someone in the USA so truly desperate times. 

46 minutes ago, ead said:

Some time ago I did ask @skelf where it would be possible to build a bass for me that was entirely sourced in the UK.  From what I recall of the conversation I think there was some doubt about the fretboard wood choice and some of the hardware comes from abroad.  I wonder if that is still the situation.

I have now built several entirely native wood instruments. The hardware is still problematic. 

It happen to a stand near us was there on Friday evening completely gone Saturday a 20 x 10 so a fair bit of cash in that. Told that a bass company stand was shut down on Saturday down in hall E. We got asked to turn down a few times but just a pleasant request as we were never really blasting out. But if you go to far one written warning then you are pulled.

51 minutes ago, TheGreek said:

Will be launched at the Manchester Show. 

I have a new model coming out in the not to distant future that I think will tick all of the boxes you mentioned. Initially as a 30.5” 4 and 32” 5.  A 32 /4 would be no problem. Will feature a new pickup and will be passive as standard. 

Thanks for posting that I would not have seen it otherwise.

That is it. 

I will be there Hall D booth 5840. Not in the Boutique Guitar Showcase this year out on my own. 

5 hours ago, 4000 said:

Cheers Alan. This begs another question, if it’s acrylic impregnated when you get it, is it still necessary to finish it? I only ask because when I finally get round to building something Id like to use buckeye. What’s impregnated wood like to work?

Works in much the same way as non impregnated woods. It does however make Buckeye easier in that it holds it together so less prone to falling to bits. I still finish it because there are still pin holes and some voids. While it may look nice it is a pain to work with so anything that makes it easier is worth looking at. 

The Buckeye is acrylic impregnated as is the fingerboard the rest natural wood. 
 

cheers

alan

The Harlot already has straplocks fitted. On your bass they are Schaller which is what I was using at the time. Still use them but mainly Dunlop’s now. 

Two pickup 4K versions. 

Talk to Eude he has a 30.5” TKO with a P Bass split coil in it. 

9 hours ago, Frank Blank said:

On the subject of the preamp, that I’m slowly getting to grips with, what are the functions of the two small switches below the bridge?

They switch the coils on each pickup. Series/single/parallel. 
 

With regard to the tonal range from the filters. The lowpass filters in your version of the EQ01 go as high as 6.5kHz the newer version was brought down in line with the current DFM to 3.5kHz. This increases the resolution of the pot giving more control over the mids and it also reduces the overlap with the highpass filter. While both the EQ01 and DFM share the same control layout the newer restricted version of the lowpass filter does make it easier to dial in. Less being more in this case. This was done after the EQ03 where myself and John took things a bit to far. The preamp was hugely versatile but difficult to use. We only really worked that out once we went to far. Dialled it back to make the DFM which would be the EQ04. I don’t see it being developed any further. As far as I am concerned it ticks all the boxes I set out to tick. It took 4 versions over 9 years a fair bit of cash a few mistakes and me being the blight of John existence. Full credit to John East for putting up with me and his brilliant design work to get me to where I am and wanted to be  

Regarding using it. 
 

I only use about 20% of what the preamp can do. That produces what I like so it is what I use. However the other 80% has to be there because it may well produce the 20% you like. Don’t see anyway round that. If you want a versatile bass, and that has always been my goal, then there will be a degree of complexity and redundancy in the system. Bottom line use what you like ignore the rest. 
 

I look on it as a bass with two tone controls one for each pickup. I setup what I like on each pickup and use the blend. The blend is your friend. Because of the independent EQ it is way more powerful than in a 3 band EQ. All you have there is the difference between the pickups and their placement. With the filters the two pickups can have radically different sounds making the blend much more important. Live the blend makes changes easy. However once you have spent time with the preamp and I am the first to admit it has a learning curve changing on the fly is certainly possible I know many players who are totally comfortable with it live. Equally there are people that just don’t get them or get on with them which is why the East Uni-Pre is always available in all my builds except for the Uber Series. 
 

The other thing to point out is that the filters give you an option you don’t have. You have at least a 3 band cut and boost EQ in your amp Filters give you sounds you can’t get with a 3 band. Conversely a 3 band is better at some things than the filters. You have the option of best of both. 
 

And finally for those that wish to know. Flat in a filter preamp is not entirely possible because the filters are  engaged all the time.So the control setting for flat are not all in the middle as would be the norm.  However you can get close with the following. Both lowpass filters fully open, upper ring fully of. Upper ring on the highpass fully of. With the active/passive that is available with the DFM A/B the above with the passive and tone fully up there is not a lot of difference. So should you want to try flat that is as close as you can get. 

3 hours ago, NickA said:

John East ACG EQ-01? Have one on my fretless Jazz Bass.  HUGE tonal palette;  a bit TOO huge.  Best to find a sound you like and superglue the knobs in that position, as you may never find it again.

Looking at John East's website I notice that he doesn't list the ACG EQ-01 any more.  Shame, as it means no-one but Wal make a filter per pickup system now (I suppose you could fit two

NB:  I don't generally like the look single cut basses much (I understand the advantages .. they just look ODD).. but this one is rather special.

AC Guitars still make a filter per pickup system. While EQ01 is not currently available for sale I use the DFM (Dual Filter Modular) in my own instruments which is the fourth generation ACG dual filter preamp. 
 

There will also be a limited run of EQ02 preamps in the not to distant future. 

Not many can say they have number 1 of 1. 

Used to chat with Tim on various forums. A really funny guy as well as great builder. 

I am a a big fan of short scales the more I build the more I like them. Improved string technology and the correct building techniques have made them more than a viable option for most players. 

Nano etc on hold pending the usual. 

Just about every thing has been sold the two last items are now bundled for £125.00 inc UK delivery.

Polytune mini, Enabler and Phil Jones Headphones now sold.

Polytone Standard now sold.