GreeneKing

Well Alan it's not actually a passive vs active thing. What the passive knob does is 'bleed off' your tone just like a passive pot in a passive bass does, but at the point where it feeds into the pre-amp board. Like a passive pre-preamp pickup control. It's a one knob whole tone adjustment. It's subtle but noticeable. I'll do a range of sound clips tomorrow. I'd describe the passive tone as a useful addition rather than an essential. We must get together for a comparo Al. Peter

And suitably prompted I'll probably stick with the 'odd knobs'. Black for the filters is actually pretty cool (black magic) Peter

[quote]refusing treatment for fear of losing the 'highs'.[/quote] He's wasn't alone with that

I'll get something done Ped. It'll be more sound than music - nothing new there Peter

I created a thread a while back describing how I fitted an ACG02, filter based pre-amp into Alan (Niceguyhomer's) Black cherry Spector Euro 5LX. These are truly great basses with good ergonomics, necks and quality of construction. The Tone pump in combination with the active EMGs is very good at 'in yer face bass' imo but there are times Alan (and I) were looking for more subtlety and 'warmth'. Having listened to Alan's several times now, both being played by Alan and others, I realise that my 4 was eventually going to get the same treatment, so: They get easier every time (fitting is very straighforward). The ACG02 in mine is slightly different in that the volume and blend are board mounted and combined and there's an extra passive control for both pups. So that's Vol/blend at the front, High pass filter/cut & boost at the top, Low pass filter/resonant peak at the bottom and the single knob at the rear (!) is the passive tone. Alan was a little short of gold knobs (evidently most folk have better taste) so I've nicked some black ones from my Harlot til they arrive. How does it sound? Just like I'd have hoped. Still all that Spector growl but with a whole lot more scope besides. I think that's 5 of these I've fitted now Peter

[quote]I would say it is probably the most sublime, comfortable and toneful bass I have ever laid hands on.[/quote] Thanks Al, that's a great indictment of Alan's efforts. Peter

Interestingly today Jim Fleeting was talking attack vs sustain and how basses tend to have more one or the other but not significantly both. B/o for attack, NT for sustain. Slapping needs attack evidently I say evidently, I've got the DVD and keep meaning to try it out more than the odd fumble. Peter

Their DVD Lichtspielhaus is pretty immense too. Strongly recommended. Peter

Alan of ACG spoke of MK today and I'm currently listening to Titles. Liking it, freaky in a good way. Peter

I'm in Kendal Ross headed to Moffat in April Peter

That was one of mine Ross, or at least the Corina Warmoth with birdseye maple was. It's got an ACG02 in it. Peter

Worth checking the hole size but the 6.4mm ones may fit. [url="http://www.autoelectricsupplies.co.uk/product/332"]http://www.autoelectricsupplies.co.uk/product/332[/url] Peter

Rubber blanking grommets - the solution Peter

I'd just like to thank everyone for a great day. It was great to expand my knowledge about what faces I can put to names, especially so when you have a major 'it's a small world' moment like I did today. I see that my Harlot wasn't camera shy. Am I allowed to say that it's my favourite bass, alongside many really great instruments. Loved the Wal Kev, although I know I wasn't alone there. Peter

There's the Scotland and Borders Bash on the 19th of April. Peter

I'm a fan. Riffage rules and probably drop tuned too. Do you like playing with fire?

[quote]bring mates[/quote] bring manc's I didn't realise the extent of Manc/Scouse rivalry until I worked in a Young Offenders 'Institution' in Lancaster. The daft thing was the 'Norvern Monkeys' hate the 'Suvvern Cahnts', the Mancs hate the Scousers and the Liverpudlians hate the guys from Birkenhead worst of all Peter

That sounds absolutely brilliant Alan, both a pleasure AND a challenge. It actually sounds quite exciting from a players point of view. Oasis, they sound a lot like the Beatles to me (ducks and runs for cover) and U2, blasting out those root notes How was the Spector in the mix? Peter

True, you could get an entirely -ve reaction and end up looking like BBC!

Carlisle isn't far away Alan. Take Haze up for some retail therapy/baby clothes shopping and pop in. Very welcoming bunch. Peter

I'm far from an expert but someone recently put up a great link that explained all this. If I remember right the scale length is reduced. Peter

You know if you read the title of this thread as a pilot, flying with instruments has a whole different meaning Peter