Alembic Guitars Club

Alembic products => Owning an Alembic => Troubleshooting => Topic started by: svlilioukalani on February 13, 2009, 03:14:11 AM

Title: 1/4 inch jack issues
Post by: svlilioukalani on February 13, 2009, 03:14:11 AM

Hi
 
I am having trouble with the 1/4 inch input jack on one of my Epic basses. It's cutting in and out. I was wondering if there is a way to fix it with out replacing it.  Good thing I got several other Alembic basses to use, or I'd be in big trouble.  
 
Thanks, Gary

Title: 1/4 inch jack issues
Post by: adriaan on February 13, 2009, 03:41:33 AM

Are you sure it's the jack? You might check the pots with the small boards attached, and verify that the board is not touching the side of the cavity, which is covered in conductive paint. If it touches, you short out the signal.

Title: 1/4 inch jack issues
Post by: svlilioukalani on February 13, 2009, 04:00:20 AM

I'm fairly sure it is the jack cause when I jiggle the cord it works. But, you may be right.  I also have an issue with a scratchy volume knob. Turning the knob back and forth 20 times has no effect. I will take a look when I get home from work.
 
I am debating swapping out the tone knobs for a filter and Q switch. I've not used this ax much since I discovered the filter on my other Alembic's. It's like flying first class for the first time. Coach will never be the same.
 
Thanks for the help.

Title: 1/4 inch jack issues
Post by: David Houck on February 13, 2009, 05:47:38 PM

Try some different cables as well; not all jacks are exactly the same size.
 
Also, if you haven't been using this bass recently, the input jack may need to be exercised, or even cleaned (http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=243).

Title: 1/4 inch jack issues
Post by: mica on February 13, 2009, 08:45:15 PM

The contact has a little nylon bump on it. When the cable is not plugged in, look down the backside of the contact for a small tab. You can bend this tab a little bit, but make sure that it isn't making contact when the cable isn't plugged in, or you'll just drain the battery.  
 
If it doesn't work (or you break it) you can either replace the jack only, or replace the one-volume harness. The one-volume harness includes the volume control, battery clip and the output jack.  
 
Also note that there's a new output jack. You can see it at the top of  this thread (http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=222). You'll want to use the new one if it looks like there's enough room in your cavity for it.

Title: 1/4 inch jack issues
Post by: svlilioukalani on February 16, 2009, 12:04:39 AM

It was the tab behind the contact with the nylon bump on it. It's working well now. I'll be replacing these parts very soon. I may now; funk with no feer.
 
THANKS FOR THE HELP!!!!!

Title: 1/4 inch jack issues
Post by: mario_farufyno on February 20, 2009, 03:51:44 PM

May be this problem is been caused by the cable's plug. Some of them are too long (or short) and this makes them easy to drop out from the jack...

Title: 1/4 inch jack issues
Post by: slawie on March 08, 2009, 04:00:45 PM

At times there is a build up of crud sweat, beer or oil from your fingers on the contacts for the 1/4 jack.
I have a little bottle of Isopropyl alchohol that I had purchased from a Chemist (drug store) and dip a cotton swab on a stick (Qtip) whack that into the jack and hey presto all clean and good.
Make sure that you have no power running to the bass when you do it.
You can also clean the plug with a tissue damped with the Isopropyl.
The suff is great it breaks down the fats and oils and leaves no residue.
Also efective for cleaning pipes that get blocked with tar.
   
slawie