Alembic Guitars Club

Alembic products => Owning an Alembic => Troubleshooting => Topic started by: hb3 on June 17, 2009, 06:34:24 PM

Title: Broken Pickup Selector
Post by: hb3 on June 17, 2009, 06:34:24 PM

It just spins.  
 
Ack!

Title: Broken Pickup Selector
Post by: hb3 on June 17, 2009, 06:48:01 PM

Ok, here's how this one went down: I'm looking at my bass, thinking, 'Hm, haven't used the pickup selector in awhile...' Reach down and begin twisting the pickup selector. 'Hmm, that feels pretty weird.' Next thing I know, it's spinning in a circle.  
 
I mean, what the shit?

Title: Broken Pickup Selector
Post by: mica on June 17, 2009, 07:13:05 PM

When it's spinning, are you changing positions? I mean, is it clicking as you spin or not. Trying to see if it is really the switch or just the knob. You need a .050 hex driver (2 set screws) to check the knob is seated properly.
 
Could also be the nut that holds the bushing of the pot in place. Check that too, especially if you are not clicking as you spin.  
 
Also, don't spin around - you don't want to stress the wiring inside (take a peek in there to see that it isn't all coiled up around the terminals).

Title: Broken Pickup Selector
Post by: hb3 on June 17, 2009, 07:38:05 PM

Yeah, it's the switch spinning, and it's not clicking. It clicked a few times -- then it stopped clicking. So it just spins, but spinning in one direction tightens it.

Title: Broken Pickup Selector
Post by: hb3 on June 17, 2009, 07:48:10 PM

Took a peek inside...the wires were starting to wrap around, but not that bad. I guess that's what the tightening feeling was. But the whole unit feels loose in there -- like a bushing or a nut or something.

Title: Broken Pickup Selector
Post by: David Houck on June 17, 2009, 08:01:26 PM

If the wires were wrapping around, then the whole thing was spinning, and the nut probably needs to be tightened.
 
Loosen the two set screws with the Allen wrench Mica mentioned.  Be very careful not to let them fall out; they are very small and are easily lost.  Once the set screws are loose, you can pull the knob off the shaft.  With the knob off, you can, carefully, tighten the nut that secures the pot to the body.  You might want to put a cloth between the wrench and the body to prevent scratching.  It might take a couple tries to get it back in the right position so that the knob points where you want it to point when it's in the both position.

Title: Broken Pickup Selector
Post by: hb3 on June 17, 2009, 08:16:15 PM

Thanks, I'll check it out. Yes, it looks like the whole thing was spinning.

Title: Broken Pickup Selector
Post by: hb3 on June 17, 2009, 08:39:58 PM

Success!  
 
Now that's some great service.

Title: Broken Pickup Selector
Post by: chalie_holmes on June 18, 2009, 05:17:19 AM

Yay! Happy! Happy! Joy! Joy!
Happy ending!!!!!!!

Title: Broken Pickup Selector
Post by: David Houck on June 18, 2009, 10:15:28 AM

Congrats!

Title: Broken Pickup Selector
Post by: olieoliver on June 18, 2009, 10:19:36 AM

I've been guilty of this before....
 
...having a screw loose.....LOL
 
OO
At least that's what my wife tells me!

Title: Broken Pickup Selector
Post by: georgie_boy on June 18, 2009, 10:54:38 AM

I'll second that Olie!!
 
G

Title: Broken Pickup Selector
Post by: hb3 on June 18, 2009, 02:08:05 PM

That was rapidly becoming an Existential crisis -- Whatever man touches, he destroys.  
 
Thanks for the helpful intervention.