Author Topic: Tone problems on my SC Deluxe (Read 231 times)

bassplayer2106 · « **on:** August 28, 2005, 01:33:30 PM »

I've had my bass for about four months now and while I have been extremely happy with it, there has always been something lacking soundwise.
It just hasn't lived up to my expectations - I've heard other basses and read reviews and...well my bass never quite sounded like I knew that it should.

I also have an Orion and that sounded better than my SC.

Anyway today I changed the battery in it.
When I got the cover off I noticed that there is some sort of connector block and the two halves weren't quite together.
I pushed carefully into place and when I tried it...Wow the difference is amazing.
It is now the bass that I always wanted.

I've put a photo here with the connector highlighted - is this a common problem.

David Houck · « **Reply #1 on:** August 28, 2005, 01:44:58 PM »

I wouldn't think it's common. As you can see, there is a little locking piece that holds it in place. At some point a previous owner may have pulled it out and not pushed it back in adequately.

bassplayer2106 · « **Reply #2 on:** August 28, 2005, 02:00:34 PM »

Yes - that's possible isn't it.
Anyway I'm now a very, very happy person.
I bought a new EBS 4x10 cab yesterday to go with my HD350 head and the SC sounds absolutley awseome through it.
It's a holiday tomorrow in the UK so I'm going to be annoying the neighbours by playing my 'new' Alembic through my new rig.

bassplayer2106 · « **Reply #3 on:** August 29, 2005, 02:30:20 PM »

This actually seems to be an intermitent problem - today the neck pick-up tone has stopped working a couple of times.
Then it starts again.

mica · « **Reply #4 on:** August 29, 2005, 02:47:16 PM »

If the filter was disconnected and not fuly reconnected, the friction lock can't do its job. Once it's plugged in with the friction lock in place, it should be quite sturdy.

Your photo shows both the neck and bridge filters plugged in correctly. If the signal from the neck pickup is intermitent, then perhaps you should check the 2-pin friction lock connector from the pickup. Take care to only grasp these connections by the brown housing and never pull on the wires themselves. You might need needle nose pliers to get in there safely.

The only other thing I can think of is perhaps the crimps on the wires inside the housing have failed.

bassplayer2106 · « **Reply #5 on:** August 30, 2005, 09:52:31 AM »

I checked the 2-pin connector today as you suggested and there appears to be a dodgy connection.
You can hear a 'buzzing' when I play - caused by the vibrations on the faulty connection.
I've taken the bass to John Diggins of Jaydee custom guitars for him to look at it.
He's the only person by me that I know.
He's also going to polish the bridge up for me.
I should get it back on Friday.

mica · « **Reply #6 on:** August 30, 2005, 11:04:57 AM »

He'll need to recrimp the pickup leads. If he's got any questions while servicing your bass, he can contact our support desk.

jazzyvee · « **Reply #7 on:** August 30, 2005, 11:59:20 AM »

Hi there BassPlayer2106, I also live in the Birmingham Area and use Jaydee for servicing my guitars.

I too own an SC Deluxe. Not sure how many there are in England never mind Brum. I've only met one other person in Brum who says he has a Mark King Signature Standard Bass.
Let me know when you are gigging locally and I'll try to pop over and see the bass in action. It would be nice to hear an alembic from off stage for a change.
What kind of music does your band play?

Cheers
Jazzyvee

bassplayer2106 · « **Reply #8 on:** August 30, 2005, 12:33:30 PM »

Hi
Nice to hear from you.
The one band is a bit like Coldplay meets Pink floyd - sort of moody pop/rock.
The other is more funky.

I've known John for a few years but haven't actually seen him for a bit before today.
He's moved again and his workshop took a bit of finding.

He was saying that he's as busy now as he was 20 years ago in the mid 80's at the height of the Mark King bass popularity.

Cheers
Kevin

jazzyvee · « **Reply #9 on:** August 30, 2005, 05:57:37 PM »

yes I'm not surprised as when i took my strat there he was real busy but managed to squeeze me in as I was about to go on tour in the USA.

I play in two bands. One is as guitarist for Apache Indian, and the other is my own band playing bass. In that one we play mainly Stanley Clarke stuff, Marcus Miller, Metro, Lenny White and stuff like that.

bassplayer2106 · « **Reply #10 on:** August 31, 2005, 10:36:23 AM »

I'd definately like to see you in your own band.
You'll have to let me know when you play.
I'm trying to work some Stanley stuff into my 2nd bands set - we play original material but I keep playing the occasional riff in here and there.

Again - nice to hear from you.

kmh364 · « **Reply #11 on:** August 31, 2005, 12:11:24 PM »

Something like Kevin describes is fairly common with modular connectors. Weathertights (as used in automobiles, etc.) are a little better because of the seal(s), but connectors can and do come apart. My Orion shipped with one P/U connector disconnected, mainly due to rough handling during shipping.

bassplayer2106 · « **Reply #12 on:** September 02, 2005, 09:41:34 AM »

I got it back today.
It turns out that there wasn't enough insulation between the wires going to the pick-up so they were shorting out.
Hohn also polished up the bridge for me.
The bass now looks and sounds like it did the day that it came out of your factory.