Thunder 1A bass - replacement for active circuit

Hi
Has anyone used the Artec EXP active tone control as a replacement for a dead Thunder 1A circuit? I've had some success with using it in another bass, and it strikes me that it might make a very good replacement in a T1A bass.

http://artecsound.com/pickups/electronics/exp.html

I don't know of anyone who has found a suitable replacement for the Thunder circuit but that doesn't mean it hasn't been done!

Electronics have improved tremendously since the 80's, and that replacement sure looks like a neat and tidy solution if it works as expected.

If you would prefer to troubleshoot the original circuit you can find technical info on our (partly broken) website. Follow these instructions for a workaround for missing images

WEBSITE WORKAROUND
First the good news:
We have a DIY fix/replacement for your problem posted on our website.

Now the bad news:
The website has been experiencing major problems displaying images and we are patiently waiting for the new webmaster to fix it.

But if you are patient I can walk you through a work around:

• Go here: LINK

• As you scroll down there are large blank areas underneath the description headers where you should be seeing images. But if you mouse over the area your mouse cursor should change indicating a hyperlink.

• (in Firefox) Right click and you should see the box outline of the image along with a popup menu

• In the pop-up menu choose "open link in new tab".

• That should display the missing image. The process should be the same for Chrome, etc

• If your browser is not set up for tabs you can just left click to go to the image in the same window. That means you will have to toggle back and forth though.

It's a bit tedious but at least you can still get at the information you need.

Good luck and do let us know if you try the Artec replacement!

I can build you a Thunder 1A circuit ( i already copied the PCB) or, probabely much cheaper I can repair the preamp you have now.
Much better idea than replacing it IMO.

Excellent offer!
Thank you for offering. That's what makes this Forum a special place!

I have a shop on Etsy where I sell the Aria Pro II RS-X70 and 80 preamp.
I plan on adding Westone Thunder I and II bass and guitar and Aria U100 preamps next year.
But repairing an existing preamp is a better and often cheaper idea than getting a replica.
As said in this post modern preamps are often better. Preamps were invented in the 70's (Alembic and BC-Rich were pioneers) but really got in fashion in the 80's.
As electronics evolved so did preamps.
I concider my Mats basses and guitars a collectible treasuer (although I gig them as much as I can) and like to keep them as original as possible.
The westone and Aria preamps always have a bypass switch anyway ;-P

That's great news!

If I was still the the webmaster for westoneguitars.net I'd be sure to advertise it there for you! 

The best I can offer right now is a "sticky" post in the Technical Forum with a link to this thread and to your Etsy page. If you would let us know the details I'll be happy to make that happen.

That would be great.
My shop:
BQmusic - Etsy Netherlands

The Aria preamp listing in the shop:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/991391148/aria-pro-ii-rs-x70-rs-x80-preamp-exact?click_key=f884b253c477997c47fee7a46f041552bcec0ac3%3A991391148&click_sum=d4422714&ref=shop_home_active_4&frs=1

The Westone Thunder II preamps are to be expected in februari.

The Matsumoku preamps are not selling at high speed. Only a few per year. But it is very rewarding to help someone to get their beloved instrument back into shape.

Thanks again.
Regards, 
Bas Becu

Many thanks Bas.

I will post up a sticky here tomorrow and I since I'm also a member of the Matsumoku Forum I'll make a post there too for the APII RS owners who might be looking to repair their guitar.

Is there a schematic for the active circuit in the Thunder models?

1point5 wrote:Is there a schematic for the active circuit in the Thunder models?

No, not that I know of.
I have just copied the pcb.
The schematic is simple: Just two opamp stages.
I may draw it one day but only if I have time and/or want to make changes to the design.
For now my time is so very limited and I hope to make exact copies of the PCB soon.

BQmusic wrote:

1point5 wrote:Is there a schematic for the active circuit in the Thunder models?

No, not that I know of.
I have just copied the pcb.
The schematic is simple: Just two opamp stages.
I may draw it one day but only if I have time and/or want to make changes to the design.
For now my time is so very limited and I hope to make exact copies of the PCB soon.

Seems easy enough ostensibly. I'm intrigued about the HP/LP tone control, presumably it's a big muff style control but I've not looked. Does the opamp run at 18v btw? Seems a single 9v could do the same thing without any detriment.

Tracing the schematic means many fabricated PCBs from a place like OSHpark for example.

I do not want fabricated pcb's.
I just want an exact replica.
And I do not think there is a market for many pcb's considering my sale and that of colleagues of Aria PCB's.
I'll start etching in februari when I have time.
By that time i might also write the schematic down and post it on my social media.

BQmusic wrote:I do not want fabricated pcb's.
I just want an exact replica.
And I do not think there is a market for many pcb's considering my sale and that of colleagues of Aria PCB's.
I'll start etching in februari when I have time.
By that time i might also write the schematic down and post it on my social media.

Aweseome. I wasn't talking about what you wanted though. Zoom out. My plan was make a PCB, stick it on OSHpark where people can then order it when they need it for a minimal cost (cost depends on PCB size). Once it's made there's no involvement, kinda like drop shipping merchandise I suppose. 

Of course, if nobody publishes a schematic that doesn't happen but it doesn't seem like the kind of thing worth being protective over. I have no skin in the game though.

Protective? You totally misunderstood me there :-(
As things are now I just don't have any time.
I have a business to run and may draw a schematic in february.
If I do I'll post it on my social media. 
The whole world can grab it from there.
No hard feelings.
I am getting back to work.
See you around in this great place for Matsumoku enthusiasts.
:-D