Alembic Activators jack socket

[terryc]

Hello everyone, I don't post much on here as I used to as I don't gig or play much anymore, anyway the problem: My old Squier P bass which my son uses(and abuses!) has developed a jack socket problem, now before you say what has this got to do with Alembic, well 20 odd years ago I fitted a P/J activator set with twin volumes, bass and treble, last week he told me that there was a lot of noise when playing and the problem seem to becoming from the jack socket. It has had a lot of use this bass has both from myself in the past and more so with my son! I have already contacted Alembic as these sockets are unique to them BUT could I use a stereo jack socket as the second terminal is the switch for the battery.  Your thought please, many thanks

[elwoodblue]

Are you planning on using the stereo jack so that the battery negative is
connected from the ring terminal to the sleeve(ground) when a 1/4 mono plug is inserted?


That should work.


Good ta see ya ; )

[terryc]

Yeah using a stereo socket as a switch, so to recap, the -ve battery clip wire goes to the ground tag, the positive is on the hot tip ?

[elwoodblue]

Yeah using a stereo socket as a switch, so to recap, the -ve battery clip wire goes to the ground tag, the positive is on the hot tip ?

The stereo socket has three lugs.
 Tip   =     hot (audio)
 Ring   =    (-) battery
 Sleeve = ground to circuit


The battery then only energizes the circuit when a mono jack bridges the ring and sleeve connections.

[terryc]

Thanks Elwoodblue, well I have just looked at the bass today and firstly the socket was loose !! but I took it off, put a bit more tension on the contact tangs as well apply a needle file to the contact points(this set is over 20 years old so a lot of plugging in and unplugging!), applied to switch cleaner and reassembled.  I gave it a really good thrashing(slap and pull style) and it seems to have solved the problem !
I shall keep your advice and if Alembic get back to me, I may order one as a backup


Again thanks for the info, stay safe in these strange times !


Terry C

[elwoodblue]

alright!


Good job.


my best 

[terryc]

Well Alembic got back to me as I should have known they would instead of putting an 'if' in the post, again many apologies, thank you for the e mail, anyway, they are sending me a replacement socket just in case it does eventually go the distance!. Many thanks again to the advice and to Mica for the service.