9 Electronics
The electronics installed in the Woodline517 AC BGP basically comprise a pair of Bacchus JB-ALV II-5 J-style pickups and a
Bartolini XTCT three-band preamp. This preamp is powered by a single 9V battery. Controlling the electronics are four pots, a plastic trim pot, and a single DPDT switch. Although the circuitry on this bass is active, it may be bypassed, enabling the bass to operate in passive mode.
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| Bacchus JB-ALV II-5 Pickups |
9.1 Control Cavity
The control cavity is protected by a cover secured with five gold screws. The back of this cover is shielded with conductive paint. Located in the control cavity are the 9V battery and Bartolini XTCT preamp. Also clearly visible are three control pots and a plastic trim pot. The three visible control pots are for volume, pickup blend, and bass boost/cut; while the trim pot affects mid frequencies.
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| Control Cavity and Shielded Cover |
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| Control Cavity |
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| L-R: Volume, Pickup Blend |
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| Mid Trim |
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| Bass Boost/Cut |
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| Bartolini XTCT Preamp |
9.2 Control Plate - Left Side
The control plate is where the pots and DPDT switch are actually affixed. We'll begin with the left side of the control plate. From left to right are the Volume, Pickup Blend, DPDT Switch, Treble Boost/Cut, and Bass Boost/Cut. A center detent is present on the Pickup Blend, Treble Boost/Cut, and Bass Boost/Cut pots.
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| Control Plate - Left Side |
Next, with the control plate unscrewed, the electronics are revealed. From left to right are the Volume, Pickup Blend, DPDT Switch, Treble Boost/Cut, Mid Trim, and Bass Boost/Cut. However, as the Mid Trim might be a little difficult to identify, I've arrowed it for your convenience.
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| Left Side - Pots and Switch |
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| L-R: Volume, Pickup Blend |
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| DPDT Switch |
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| L-R: Mid Trim, Treble, Bass |
9.3 Selecting Active or Passive Operation
Now we shift our focus to the DPDT switch located between the Pickup Blend and Treble Boost/Cut knobs. This switch is an On-On switch, and selects either passive or active modes. When toggled to the left, the preamp is turned off, and the bass operates in Passive Mode. Conversely, when the switch is toggled to the right, the preamp is turned on, and the bass operates in Active Mode. Do take note that the Treble and Bass Boost/Cut controls are inactive in Passive Mode.
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| DPDT Switch - Passive Mode |
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| DPDT Switch - Active Mode |
9.4 Control Plate - Right Side
As the Woodline517 AC BGP is a discontinued model, I may never again have the opportunity to document it in detail. And so, here's the right side of the control plate. From left to right are the Bass Boost/Cut, Treble Boost/Cut, DPDT Switch, Pickup Blend, and Volume.
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| Control Plate - Right Side |
Subsequently, with the control plate unscrewed, the electronics can be examined more closely. From left to right are the Bass Boost/Cut, Treble Boost/Cut, DPDT Switch, Pickup Blend, and Volume. I've not mentioned the Mid Trim as it's obscured by the wiring.
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| Right Side - Pots and Switch |
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| L-R: Bass, Treble, DPDT Switch |
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| L-R: Pickup Blend, Volume |
9.5 Control Plate - Underside
This final image set is of the underside of the control plate, and concludes my pictorial on the Bacchus Woodline517 AC BGP. Once again, the Mid Trim is partially hidden, and shall be ignored. Right then, let's give it a go. From left to right are the Bass Boost/Cut, Treble Boost/Cut, DPDT Switch, Pickup Blend, and Volume.
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| Control Plate - Underside |
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| Bass Boost/Cut |
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| L-R: Treble Boost/Cut, DPDT Switch |
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| L-R: Pickup Blend, Volume |
