Alembic Guitars Club

Alembic products => Owning an Alembic => Troubleshooting => Topic started by: japhy4529 on April 04, 2016, 06:02:04 PM

Title: Removing Brass Control Plate from Alembic Elan 5
Post by: japhy4529 on April 04, 2016, 06:02:04 PM

I feel silly asking this question, but here it goes... I'm trying to change the battery in my 95' Alembic Elan 5. I've removed the screws from the back control plate (where the battery and preamp are located), yet it is such a tight fit that I cannot remove it from the body! I don't want to risk damaging the wood.  I've turned the bass over and have lightly tapped on the bass (with no luck) and I've used my fingernails. It's not even budging.
 
Any ideas?
 
Thanks,
Tom

Title: Removing Brass Control Plate from Alembic Elan 5
Post by: JimmyJ on April 04, 2016, 06:22:48 PM

Perhaps duct tape is the answer ... to everything. Ha!
Jimmy J

Title: Removing Brass Control Plate from Alembic Elan 5
Post by: ed_zeppelin on April 04, 2016, 06:36:11 PM

I use a plastic putty knife because it has a wide flat surface. Don't worry, you're not going to pry with it.  
 
Tape the tip of the blade flat to the brass plate with duct tape or masking tape. At the edge of the plate, on the body, place a cloth or folded-over paper towel for protection, and something flat (I use a carpenter's pencil because they're flat, so they don't roll away when you set them down) to use as a fulcrum.
 
Just a slight nudge downward on the handle of the putty knife is all it takes. You can even twist the handle sideways if you need to, as long as you don't let the fulcrum slide around. Cleanup any tape residue with a dab of rubbing alcohol on a paper towel.

Title: Removing Brass Control Plate from Alembic Elan 5
Post by: gtrguy on April 04, 2016, 10:15:13 PM

I have a dentist pick that I put into the screw hole and pry a bit on the cover. The plate needs to come up evenly, so a couple of holes on each end a little at a time might do it. OR - duct tape, as above! I use goo gone if any residue is left (or use the nice blue masking tape).
 
Or try it in the early morning when the bass is colder (leave the case open overnight, keep away from the pets).

Title: Removing Brass Control Plate from Alembic Elan 5
Post by: growlypants on April 05, 2016, 06:07:48 AM

Wow!  I thought only I had this problem!!  (Scotch tape does the trick for me)

Title: Removing Brass Control Plate from Alembic Elan 5
Post by: japhy4529 on April 05, 2016, 06:26:47 AM

You guys are the best. I will try one or more of these tricks tonight and report back with the results. I've actually placed this bass on the Talkbass.com classifieds as a possible trade. However, after playing her for a couple of hours last night, I'm not sure if I can go through with it. Sounds incredible!

Title: Removing Brass Control Plate from Alembic Elan 5
Post by: jazzyvee on April 06, 2016, 06:59:59 AM

I still love your Elan. I hope you keep it until i can  
justify buying it. :-)

Title: Removing Brass Control Plate from Alembic Elan 5
Post by: lbpesq on April 06, 2016, 11:16:01 AM

FWIW, I use the smallest size in my mini screwdriver set to pry up the backplate using the screwdriver in one of the empty screw holes, not unlike David's dental pick method.
 
Bill, tgo

Title: Removing Brass Control Plate from Alembic Elan 5
Post by: japhy4529 on April 07, 2016, 05:30:48 PM

The duct tape (duck tape in this case) trick worked like a charm. My 10-year old daughter suggested placing two pieces (one on top of the other) on the plate and that Finally got it done.  
 
@jazzyvee - Funny! I don't think I'll be able to let her go after all. I'll definitely let you know if I change my mind.  
 
Thanks,
Tom