Alembic Guitars Club

Alembic products => Alembic Basses & Guitars => Topic started by: DaveD on March 07, 2011, 10:30:45 PM

Title: My Distillate is now a white noise generator. Help!
Post by: DaveD on March 07, 2011, 10:30:45 PM

Recently my Distillate has been making a very loud white noise-ish sound. Sometimes this happens immediately after plugging it in and taking it out of standby mode; other times it only happens after a few minutes of playing. Tonight it was the loudest it has ever been.  
 
It seems to be the loudest when the p/u selector is in the bridge position, but it is definitely loud and present in all 3 p/u positions.
 
I installed a fresh battery but that did nothing. I tapped on the volume knob and it made a loud thud, as if it had gone microphonic.  
 
I inspected the innards of the control cavity and there appeared to be nothing out of place. Everything appears to be connected as it always has been.
 
I should also mention that the bass's audio is still present and all controls work as they should - there's just this constant whoosh of white noise along with the audio.
 
Has anyone experienced this? Any ideas how to remedy? Any help is appreciated.  
 
Thanks,
 
Dave

Title: My Distillate is now a white noise generator. Help!
Post by: mike1762 on March 08, 2011, 02:39:58 AM

My SC was doing the same thing.  I manipulated the ferrite bead and it hasn't happened since.  I have no idea why that worked (the bead is a passive component), but it did!!!

Title: My Distillate is now a white noise generator. Help!
Post by: DaveD on March 08, 2011, 07:57:55 PM

Mike,
 
What is a ferrite bead and where would I find it?
 
D

Title: My Distillate is now a white noise generator. Help!
Post by: skyboltone on March 08, 2011, 08:34:57 PM

It's a black (usually) donut that wires pass through. Though normally only semi-conductive I suppose it could be effected by making contact with the grounded silver pan that the innards live in. Still, I would call the factory and get some more info....seems to me as your local Ham Radio operator that white noise appearing from out of nowhere is unlikely. I'm thinking it may be time for a volume control replacement.
 
(Message edited by skyboltone on March 08, 2011)

Title: My Distillate is now a white noise generator. Help!
Post by: artswork99 on March 08, 2011, 08:42:15 PM

If there is one in your bass it will be located inside the control cavity
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/98844.jpg)

Title: My Distillate is now a white noise generator. Help!
Post by: DaveD on March 08, 2011, 10:03:33 PM

Update:
 
Whilst looking for the ferrite bead (not present) I decided to manipulate the p/up leads and it turns out one of them was not seated properly on the little 2 prong connector. After a little gentle jostling, the white noise ceased and I now have my quiet Distillate back. I will email Mica and request a ferrite bead though, just to play it safe.
 
Thanks, all of you for your input!
 
Dave
 
PS: Attached is a photo of her - a fine '83 specimen.(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/98850.jpg)

Title: My Distillate is now a white noise generator. Help!
Post by: tmoney61092 on March 08, 2011, 10:10:09 PM

I love it!!!!!! The knobby headstock and heart cut out are beautiful! You should post it in the showcase section along with more pics so we can all drool over her ;)
 
~Taylor

Title: My Distillate is now a white noise generator. Help!
Post by: jacko on March 09, 2011, 04:14:28 AM

beautiful bass dave. She has perfect proportions.  Is that one of the new Acoustic rigs? How does it sound?
 
Graeme

Title: My Distillate is now a white noise generator. Help!
Post by: sonicus on March 09, 2011, 07:25:58 AM

Nice Bass

Title: My Distillate is now a white noise generator. Help!
Post by: pauldo on March 09, 2011, 10:25:39 AM

Beautiful!!!
Makes my Distillate look like a Fender! ;-)
 
I think I have seen pictures of this bass before (maybe in the showcase area) would love to see more pics (backside, close up of cutout and headstock, etc)

Title: My Distillate is now a white noise generator. Help!
Post by: adriaan on March 09, 2011, 03:08:10 PM

I bet it's not a new Acoustic rig - where would you find Yamaha-branded woofers these days?
 
That double-pistol-grip-and-heart-omega-and-knobby-peghead-but-otherwise-mostly-a-Distillate has been posted before, I remember it clearly - otherwise it has a close twin!

Title: My Distillate is now a white noise generator. Help!
Post by: DaveD on March 09, 2011, 07:08:43 PM

Thanks, all.  
 
I believe there is another Scorpion/Distillate like this. I saw it on Ebay a few years ago. I was tempted to buy it to give this one some company.
 
The Acoustic rig is from 1974. I replaced the original speakers about 10 years ago. I plan to get them re-coned and reinstall, someday.

Title: My Distillate is now a white noise generator. Help!
Post by: tmoney61092 on March 09, 2011, 07:56:37 PM

Art, here is the one you are referring to, you can see the difference in the cutout
 
http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/41195.html?1294311904 (http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=9083)
 
also just incase anyone doesn't know, this is referred to as the Scorpion body style(wouldn't mind a Series I or II in that shape ;)
 
~Taylor

Title: My Distillate is now a white noise generator. Help!
Post by: darkstar01 on March 09, 2011, 08:51:34 PM

actually this isn't really the scorpion shape, is it? on most of the scorpion bodies i've seen the upper horn and lower horn are basically identical, sometimes the lower one is just a bit smaller. maybe it's just because this is obviously based on a distillate shape and not a series one.  
this one on ebay is more like the other scorpions though.  http://cgi.ebay.com/Alembic-Bass-Sadowsky-Fodera-strings-/280642088961?pt=Guitar&hash=item4157927001#ht_500wt_1133 (http://cgi.ebay.com/Alembic-Bass-Sadowsky-Fodera-strings-/280642088961?pt=Guitar&hash=item4157927001#ht_500wt_1133)
 
either way, nice bass, dave.

Title: My Distillate is now a white noise generator. Help!
Post by: peoplechipper on March 13, 2011, 12:02:21 AM

Ah, the Distillate/ Acoustic amp combo like me; add a good overdrive pedal and you'll have people genuflect($5 word!!!) before your massive tone...it's worked for me, and sure wasn't my technique...Tony.