Alembic Guitars Club

Alembic products => Owning an Alembic => Troubleshooting => Topic started by: johanalme on February 20, 2014, 01:12:56 AM

Title: Silent Pickup near bridge on Alembic Essence 4
Post by: johanalme on February 20, 2014, 01:12:56 AM

Hi people I need som help here.
 
I've got a 1991 Alembice Essence 4, which I guess have MXY pickups.  
 
Now I have a problem with my pickup nearest to the bridge. It is simply completely silent.  
 
In the lower corner of the pickup where the screw are, it is slightly damaged (it is a crack in the plastic), but that only seems to be around the screw and not on the pickup itself.
 
Anyhow - what could be wrong? Is it at all possible to fix, or do I have to buy new ones (which are damn expensive!)

Title: Silent Pickup near bridge on Alembic Essence 4
Post by: adriaan on February 20, 2014, 09:50:49 AM

Hi Johan, welcome to the Club!
 
Couple of things you can try to work out the reason why the bridge pu has gone quiet. I'd start by opening the back plate, and find the place where the 2 pu leads are connected to the pre-amp - they should be really close together.
 
Check the FAQ page on the modular connectors (http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=209) first, then ...
 
Gently disconnect the 2 leads, and put them back on but switching the positions. Plug your bass into your amp, and checkout the sound as you turn the pan pot. It is now operating the other way around, but what can you hear?
 
If you can hear both pus again, then there was probably some corrosion on the connector or the terminal pins. If you can hear only the bridge pu, then there is a problem with the pre-amp or the terminal, not with the bridge pu itself. If you can hear only the neck pu, then there might be a problem with the bridge pu.

Title: Silent Pickup near bridge on Alembic Essence 4
Post by: adriaan on February 20, 2014, 10:05:52 AM

From the index page for , you can also find some info on Pickup failure (http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=212).

Title: Silent Pickup near bridge on Alembic Essence 4
Post by: johanalme on February 21, 2014, 12:45:57 AM

Thanks adriaan,
 
I have already tested switching the connectors - it is still silent.
 
I will also so the other measurements, but it seems I pretty much need to consider buying a new pickup.
 
 
And BTW I sent a support question to Alembic 1 weeek ago but did not get any reply yet. Are they usually fast or slow in response?

Title: Silent Pickup near bridge on Alembic Essence 4
Post by: mario_farufyno on February 21, 2014, 10:12:50 AM

To be sincere, I do think you're not the first to be afflicted by delays in query responses. They are attentive, but not always manage the readiness of a larger company. Give them sometime, you'll not be disapointed.

Title: Silent Pickup near bridge on Alembic Essence 4
Post by: johanalme on March 06, 2014, 12:21:15 AM

I just measured with an ohm meter now. The pickup that is alive was about 10 ohms (or kohms - I don't remember), while the broken one was infinity.  
 
So I guess my pickup is dead and I have to buy some new ones. Is there a place where I can buy a single MXY4 pickup?

Title: Silent Pickup near bridge on Alembic Essence 4
Post by: count on March 06, 2014, 04:00:46 AM

mica@alembic.com (mailto:mica@alembic.com)
 
You could try going the long way around with the shop at bekkestua, but I've found they're slower than what should be legal.. Best to go directly to the source!
Or you could have a look at ebay. They pop up there from time to time.!

Title: Silent Pickup near bridge on Alembic Essence 4
Post by: lembic76450 on March 06, 2014, 08:21:30 AM

Johan,  sometimes Mica has seconds available that can be quite a savings. For myself, I very rarely use the bridge pickup on my Essence,  mine seems to sound very thin compared to the neck pickup.   Good luck,,  they are great sounding basses...

Title: Silent Pickup near bridge on Alembic Essence 4
Post by: mica on April 02, 2014, 09:55:30 AM

I don't usually have MXY4 as cosmetic seconds. You only need to replace the one pickup. Send me an email with your shipping address and I'll get you the details you need including the postage.