Alembic Guitars Club

Alembic products => Alembic Basses & Guitars => Topic started by: skydigger on February 10, 2008, 02:43:41 PM

Title: Replacing input jack...
Post by: skydigger on February 10, 2008, 02:43:41 PM

I have a set of Alembic P activators and the jack that is on the harness will require routing to install on my bass.
 
Can I replace the Alembic jack with a regular Switchcraft jack?

Title: Replacing input jack...
Post by: David Houck on February 10, 2008, 08:31:03 PM

The standard top mount Alembic jack is a Switchcraft L113.  It looks like this (http://www.switchcraft.com/products/jack-90.html).  Is that what you have?

Title: Replacing input jack...
Post by: skydigger on February 11, 2008, 04:51:36 AM

Yeah, thats the one.  I didn't realize that it was Switchcraft as well...
 
I guess a side mount jack should be no problem then???

Title: Replacing input jack...
Post by: David Houck on February 11, 2008, 08:12:21 AM

The L113 is not listed on the page I linked; but it's the same as the 113 except that the shaft is longer to fit through the top of a guitar (rather than a piece of sheet metal).  The schematic for the L113 is number V on this page (http://www.switchcraft.com/products/pdf_files/jack-65_schematic.pdf).  As you can see on that page, not all jacks are the same.  If I understand/remember correctly, the make circuit on the L113, breaks the ciruit to the battery when the instrument is unplugged, saving battery life.
 
How far off is the jack from fitting in your bass?  If it's off by just a little, you may be able to bend the spades that the wires are soldered to, carefully, with a couple of needle nose pliers.  If you have a camera handy, some pictures might help; some of the folks around here might have some suggestions if they can see what the problem looks like.

Title: Replacing input jack...
Post by: spose on February 11, 2008, 09:35:33 AM

is this going into a FENDER P Bass?
if so, did you have to route space for the 9 volt battery?
 
thanks

Title: Replacing input jack...
Post by: skydigger on February 11, 2008, 03:00:29 PM

The jack is WAY too far out.  I either need to route or replace the jack.
 
Right now I mainly play flamenco guitar.  I've had this pickup for years and never did anything with it.  When i bought it, it retailed for $450.  Now I see Alembic is charging $750 for it!!
 
So, I decided to by a CHEAP-ass bass and install the Alembic activator.  It's not a Fender and no additional routing is required...
 
Come to think of it, this bass is a P`J, so I might be able to remove one of the controls for the jazz pickup (which won't be used) and mount it on the top after all.
 
I didn't realize it was meant to be top mounted...
 
Thanks for the help...