New Alembic - Lots of Hiss and Nut Adjustment Issue

[ampeglb100]

Hello-
 
I have a new Alembic Europa 4 string, cocobolo T & B, 32 scale, chrome hardware (serial # 06C 13632).  I have a couple of problems:
 
The output has a lot of hiss.  I have the treble and bass switches flat and the filter wide open, and when I plug it in it sounds phenomenal but has a lot of hiss going on (no RF, just hiss).  I adjusted the trim pots down as low as I could go, but still when I turn the bass or amp up enough to hear it well there is a lot of hiss.  With the treble switch engaged it is really bad...  What could this be?  The ferrite bead is there and everything looks good under the hood (electronics).
 
Also, the nut is all the way down as low as it can go and I still need it to go lower...  Can I order a replacement nut or replacement base part for the nut, or...?
 
Aside form these issues, this is hands down the best sounding and playing (and looking) bass I have owned and I love it!!!
 
Thanks,
 
Andy
 
afort@pacifier.com

[olieoliver]

Hi Andy. I have a Mark King bass with the Europa electronics. I noticed the same his on this bass when I first got it. After a little research here and a few emails to Mica, I came to the conclusion that Alembic controls are reverse from most instruments. Most instruments start flat and boost the tones. Alembic start max and you cut the tones as needed.  
So I had to cut some hi's on my amp and the hiss was gone.
If I am wrong someone please feel free to correct me.

[mica]

Hi Andy,
 
I'm having my dad prepare a new set of electronics for you. Can you test and see if the extreme rotation of the pan pot (at the far ends) causes any change in the sound?  
 
These are your electronics:

 
You'll get new parts when the green indicates (circuit card, pan pot, bass and treble switches). We are thinking that at a minimum your pan control is defective.
 
As far as the nut goes, if you need it lower than it will operate, we'll need to either modify what you have or make new parts. Either way, we'd need the whole bass here. You might be able to sand the bottom of the baseplate locally, but sanding through chrome plating takes a while!
 
I noted that I thought your bass was one of the best setups (among our already awesome setups) that I had seen. It just was really very easy to play!

[ampeglb100]

Hey Mica-  
 
Thanks for getting back to me. At the extreme ends of the pan pots the output does change, but I noticed at the low end the sound got scratchy (best word I can think of). Right now both pots are at about 9 o'clock, which is turned up a bit from being at the very lowest setting. It sounds really great, but the output is lower and there is just a lot of back ground hiss compared to my '91 Europa, which is dead quiet even with the treble boost engaged. I don't know... thanks for getting a new setup for me.  
 
As far as the nut I realized that it is just the A and D string slots that seem high - the E and the G are perfect. That being the case, could I just buy some gauged nut files from Stewart Macdonald and take my chances? I would really rather not have to ship the bass back... Is it chrome plated under the string slots as well?  
 
OK, thanks again for the reply. I really love the bass and I am so glad I had it built - the feel and sound of it is so close to perfect for me it is amazing... I strap it on and it fits like a glove!  
 
Thanks,  
 
Andy  
 
afort@pacifier.com

[mica]

Yeah, the slots are all plated. You can try and file them down - worst case, you'll send it in here in the end, so you might as well try and keep it local. If you can start the cut with diamond needle file, it may save you some frustrations - that chrome plating is really hard.  
 
Email your shipping address to me when you get a chance so I can get your electronics to you. There  will be a return label in the box to send in the defective electronics.

[ampeglb100]

Thanks Mica - email sent!
 
Andy