Alembic Guitars Club

Alembic products => Owning an Alembic => Troubleshooting => Topic started by: elwoodblue on February 28, 2016, 08:55:12 PM

Title: 78 1100 revival
Post by: elwoodblue on February 28, 2016, 08:55:12 PM

I have some working pickups on the way for my '78 guitar. I'm excited!!  
 
   I have never heard it with a working series package.
  There is still a lot of work ahead to get there, and I might send the card in for diagnosis.
 I have 95% of the original parts,a DS-5,and cable.
 
   I'm wondering if I have the skills to wire a series guitar from scratch.  
   I'm up for learning but I'd be happy to have the experts do it if that seems the best.
  The pickups should be here in about a week.

Title: 78 1100 revival
Post by: edwardofhuncote on February 28, 2016, 09:00:55 PM

Re-build Thread! (pretty-please) =)

Title: 78 1100 revival
Post by: elwoodblue on February 28, 2016, 09:22:05 PM

I'm still on the fence about refinishing, it's pretty nice and dark now, but I like seeing the grain when I play. If I decide to do it...I know it'll go better with the input from everyone here.
 
  Are there reasons to NOT refinish that would stop you (historical value,mojo,my finish wouldn't be as nice as a factory job,etc...)?

Title: 78 1100 revival
Post by: ed_zeppelin on February 29, 2016, 08:07:16 AM

I hear good things about StewMac's ColorTone lacquer. (http://www.stewmac.com/Materials_and_Supplies/Finishing_Supplies/) I haven't used it, though.
 
Dan Erlewine's low-tech spray booth (http://www.stewmac.com/How-To/Online_Resources/Learn_About_Instrument_Finishing_and_Finish_Repair/) is very cool.

Title: 78 1100 revival
Post by: lbpesq on February 29, 2016, 08:29:49 AM

I'm in the process of refinishing a neck-thru Strat type guitar using a product called wudtone.  Very simple and it seems to be working just as described, so far.  I'm about 1/2 way through the process.  Google it - very interesting new product.
 
Bill, tgo

Title: 78 1100 revival
Post by: edwin on February 29, 2016, 09:32:04 AM

I have rewired a Series instrument from scratch. It's not crazy hard, but there are some things to be aware of. Get in touch off board.

Title: 78 1100 revival
Post by: gtrguy on February 29, 2016, 10:22:12 AM

I made a plastic template from a sheet of plastic (Tap Plastics) that has the holes for the pots and outlet jack all laid out with the correct spacing that I used to get the wiring up and running before stuffing it all in there on a project I worked on (still not all the way done yet)..(http://club.alembic.com/Images/394/226167.jpg)

Title: 78 1100 revival
Post by: elwoodblue on February 29, 2016, 02:39:39 PM

Thanks All,
 It's gonna happen...this year! I'll email you Edwin for particulars.
 Mounting the parts on a board will be good for this project too, especially as I ask for help.  
 
 I've yet to talk to anyone about how the mellow filter fits into the circuit. Anyone have pics of one wired in?
 
My last few projects I've been using Deft spray can lacquer with decent results, I'll read up on these other products.

Title: 78 1100 revival
Post by: edwardofhuncote on February 29, 2016, 03:18:02 PM

Deft clear gloss in a spray can is absolutely THE BEST stuff I've used. Ever. I'm using it right now on Dad's banjo project.

Title: 78 1100 revival
Post by: elwoodblue on March 19, 2016, 10:04:50 AM

The pickups arrived...one is new,the other is very lightly used.
 
 
 
I've decided to leave the original finish, and give the few problem areas some TLC.
 
 Here's the electronics I have, mounted on a board.
 
 
 
 
 
 Here's what I see I'm missing:
1) quick connect plug on humcanceller  
2) switching 1/4 jack  
3) rotary pickup selector switch
4) proper mounting screws for the PF6
5) pickup mounting screws and springs
6) resistors for q-switches (like on the broken switch below)
7) summing resistors
8) battery jacks
 
If you catch something I've missed,please chime in.
Here's the old broken switch and apparently an extra pot that came with the guitar.
   
 
   
 
 
I'll ask Mica for schematics...and maybe some help figuring out how the mellow filter is wired in.
 
I've found a couple shots of Series 1 cavities , but I could use some nice closeups for reference.
If you have some, can post a link to some, or are willing to take some pictures... I'd be grateful.
 
Thanks All

Title: 78 1100 revival
Post by: gtrguy on March 19, 2016, 10:20:13 AM

Those original Molex pickup connecters are no longer available, I hear. I am looking for a set myself.  I have dozens of images of Series One guts on a CD somewhere.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/394/226987.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/394/226988.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/394/226989.jpg)

Title: 78 1100 revival
Post by: JimmyJ on March 19, 2016, 11:25:47 AM

Heck of a project!  But it's not (quite) rocket science so I bet you could do it.
 
Two key components you will want to buy from Mica if possible are: a new rotary pickup selector switch (preferably pre-wired), a new raw ribbon cable (because you need to have the main connector which plugs into the board before you start wiring components to the other end).  
 
Do your newly arrived pickups have the old style Molex connectors?  What about the hum cancelling coil mounted in the guitar?  If so you're good to go on that point.  If not, Alembic used to have some adaptors but I think they were reversed - old pickups to new board connectors...  Anyway, it looks like the blue input to your board was cut and the old connector is still there, not that that will do you any good...
 
If it were me I would certainly use the Alembic pots but probably start with new switches, resistors, 5-pin and 1/4 connectors.  Those items are readily available and not terribly expensive.  You could also add these items to your list for Mica and see if HQ can sell you the raw parts...
 
You can do it!!
 
Jimmy J

Title: 78 1100 revival
Post by: elwoodblue on March 19, 2016, 02:35:01 PM

Thanks gtrguy and JimmyJ.
 The pickups have the molex connectors, the humcanceller wire has been cut
(they are all mounted to the back of the board,the three leads poking through to the right of the mysterious black box are them).
 
 I'll add the ribbon and connector to my list.
Good call on new switches, and the prewired selector too.

Title: 78 1100 revival
Post by: edwardofhuncote on March 19, 2016, 02:45:57 PM

Wish we weren't so far apart Elwood... I would totally jump at a chance to help in the restoration of a classic like that. (or at least just get in the way!) =)

Title: 78 1100 revival
Post by: elwoodblue on March 19, 2016, 02:48:27 PM

The blue input is good!
 I was staring at it and after a little fiddling found the sleeve had just dropped a little.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/394/227011.jpg)
 
Now it looks like the others    
 

Title: 78 1100 revival
Post by: elwoodblue on March 19, 2016, 02:57:33 PM

Ed, I crave company like yours.
 I'm smiling at just the idea...thanks!
 
(I have 30 other projects and a fence that needs whitewashing...I'm having fun, c'mon over!!)

Title: 78 1100 revival
Post by: edwin on March 19, 2016, 03:08:12 PM

Jimmy is right about the new components. That's what I did and it worked out very well.  
 
I have been thinking about redoing it with audiophool caps and resisters....

Title: 78 1100 revival
Post by: JimmyJ on March 19, 2016, 03:30:35 PM

Oh alright, I see the pickup leads now in your 2nd photo.  
 
And the blue connector at the board is good, that's excellent.  
 
It's a shame that they cut the hum canceller wire, you'll need make a decision about that.  It only needs to connect to the proper points on the board but soldering directly would severely impact serviceability so it's best to have an inline connector of some kind.  And even if you found a male Molex plug I believe you'd need a special tool to terminate the wire with it...  
 
You could splice a connector on if you found a lead from another old (maybe broken) Alembic pickup.  That's one more thing you could ask Mica about - maybe they have a leftover lead with a male Molex that you could use for this purpose.
 
Good stuff!
Jimmy J

Title: 78 1100 revival
Post by: FC Bass on March 19, 2016, 03:57:26 PM

I got a brand new SC-1 pickup with this old connector, maybe you can send it in and have them attach a new one?

Title: 78 1100 revival
Post by: elwoodblue on March 19, 2016, 04:18:23 PM

That's a winning idea fc, I could send in the card for evaluation while I'm at it .

Title: 78 1100 revival
Post by: elwoodblue on March 22, 2016, 03:38:32 PM

reposting a few pics that got ate:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/394/227095.jpg)
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/394/227096.jpg)
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/394/227097.jpg)
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/394/227098.jpg)

Title: 78 1100 revival
Post by: elwoodblue on March 24, 2016, 05:34:20 AM

Mica,
If you see this, I sent you an email for parts and advice

Title: Re: 78 1100 revival
Post by: elwoodblue on May 16, 2016, 03:09:45 PM

Mica,
 I missed your call last week. I'm doing my best to keep my phone within earshot.
I have my fingers crossed that the PF-6 card tests OK.

Thanks