Alembic Guitars Club
Alembic products => Owning an Alembic => Troubleshooting => Topic started by: jacko on August 13, 2020, 12:40:17 AM
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Hi Mica.
I was wondering if you had received my email regarding the broken LED switch on my Balance K? I had replied to your mail with photos of the switch as requested but I've heard nothing for quite some time. Here are the photos anyway....
Graeme.
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Hi Jacko, i have a long standing issue with that switch on my bass and it works but is intermittent so I have to flick it a number of times and juggle it to get it to work. Once it's on it usually stays on if the switch isn't touched. Sometimes I think it gets moved during transport in my gig bag and hence the battery life for LEDs is short so I use rechargeable batteries now. I have an order for a number of bits in process and have ordered a replacement for so hopefully that works. If my order is ahead of yours and mine is not sent yet, i'm happy for mica to drop it in with mine and can forward it to you when it arrives if that helps any.
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I have a similar situation as Jazzyvee. Flick the switch and more often than not it does not immediately turn on. Wiggle the switch a bit and it does (and stays on). From what I remember Mica indicated that for a time they had issues with the switches they sourced (since corrected) with a good Number of them having intermittent problems of this type.
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Mica posted in a 2017 thread - http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=22793.msg229029#msg229029 - that the Red switches were troublesome. That's what led me to email for a replacement but that was some time ago. I assume the covid thing has meant small orders like this are being set to one side for later.
Graeme.
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I had mailed a switch off to you some time ago. I suppose this means you haven't received it.
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I'm afraid not Mica. Can I just check you're sending to our new address as advised in the email, UK postcode ML11 8EP?
Graeme.
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Depending on how long "some time ago" is, it may just be delayed. I've found that packages crossing borders are taking a LOT longer since COVID.
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All mail in the U.S. is now delayed as a result of the White House deliberately and admittedly defunding the Post Office and installing Trump’s buddy as Postmaster (a man who has literally zero experience with the Post Office and immediately cancelled all overtime and ordered the removal of mail sorting machines) in an effort to suppress mail-in voting this November.
(Mods: I suggest this is not banned political opinion speech. I am merely reporting the statement Trump himself made yesterday).
Bill, tgo
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Jacko, hope your LED switch is just delayed not lost in the post.
The other day I tried to track a package coming from the East Coast via USPS but the tracking system wouldn't work. Despite how unreliable the shipping info has been from USPS tracking in the past, this was the first time the tracking system itself was MIA. I didn't bother to check again to see if it came back on line. We order our dog meds from Australia, for our recent order the postal shipping estimate was six to seven weeks instead of the usual 7-14 days. We ended up paying for express shipping via DHL as suggested by the vendor. It was quite expensive and the express option still took a week and a half.
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Hi Mica.
I emailed last week about this switch, I was just wondering if you had seen my mail?
Graeme
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I did see your email and I was hoping you were reporting that you got the switch installed. I will send another one, please look for an email from me later this evening to confirm I have the address correct since it's been a while since I dispatched the part.
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A lovely package arrived today from the USA. I've installed the switch and it's working perfectly - I like the addition of the dimmer pot; half the brightness is more than enough even on the darkest stage (assuming we're ever allowed back on stage). More stickers too! I really can't thank you enough Mica.
Graeme
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I like the addition of the dimmer pot;
is this something that can be retrofitted? I have a 2019 MK deluxe with neck LEDs. While they are beautiful to behold, they are a little overpowering in a dark room (i spend a lot of time in the dark playing this bass - please don't ask!). it would be awesome if i could throttle them back a little.
i would like to order one of these if they are available for this bass and can be installed without any surgery over and above doing some wiring.
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Yes, I had a dimmer retrofitted on my Custom Further. I chose to put it in the control cavity as I tend to find settings I like and leave it there. I did have the option of mounting it on the face, but I declined. I don’t know how hard it is to DIY. I brought it up to the Mothership as I live about an hour down the road.
Bill, tgo
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I like the addition of the dimmer pot;
is this something that can be retrofitted? I have a 2019 MK deluxe with neck LEDs. While they are beautiful to behold, they are a little overpowering in a dark room (i spend a lot of time in the dark playing this bass - please don't ask!). it would be awesome if i could throttle them back a little.
i would like to order one of these if they are available for this bass and can be installed without any surgery over and above doing some wiring.
Send me a picture of your electronics cavity and I’ll see if the retrofit will be modular or if you’ll have to splice and solder. But it can always be retrofitted.
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My replacement switch arrived recently all should be working fine soon.
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Send me a picture of your electronics cavity and I’ll see if the retrofit will be modular or if you’ll have to splice and solder. But it can always be retrofitted.
splicing and soldering don't scare me. carving on wood does. i'll send a picture when i get home. possible stupid question - your email is mica@alembic.com?
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that's the one!
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<Apologies in advance for hijacking this thread...>
So i pulled the control cover off to take a picture of it and lo and behold, there's an adjustment pot on the back of the LED switch. I was able to dial the LEDs back to a level where they just give me enough guidance to where i am on the neck when I'm playing in the dark (my favorite sport, btw)
One of the indignities of approaching old age is that I'm slowly losing sensation in my fingertips and so i can't navigate the neck purely by feel the way i was able to as a youngster. That was one of the motivations for purchasing this particular bass - the LEDs in the neck. Ive had this bass for almost a year now and it continues to amaze me with the cool features that enhance its playability that i doubt you'd find on any other instrument. Kinda like a grown-up easter egg hunt!
<end of hijack>