Orion Guitar... noise, Help, Ron?

[triodecr]

Hello Alembic fanatics and Craftsmen/Craftswomen,  
I just received my first Alembic, an Orion guitar with lightly figured Mahogany body, Maple accent and Vermillion top.  I am very happy with the quality and the playability.  It upstages my Dean Z Time Capsule, which I hold in higher esteem than PRS, Gibson, etc.  Unfortunately, I have run into some noise issues.  It hums and picks up radio, most prominently 89.1MHz, and unfortunately renders the guitar into a beautiful acoustic.  It's got a good battery, good cables, amp works ok, etc.  I live near alot of radio antennas but my passive guitars don't have nearly as much noise.    
 
The noise is very noticeable on clean amp settings and as loud as the pickup signal with high gain settings.  Increasing the volume or preamp gain brings the noise up also.  
 
I played around with the ferrite bead and noticed that the noise decreases as it is moved away from the volume pot assembly.  I also zip tied the pickup cables to it in an attempt to maximize its effects (proximity).  I checked out the grounding, well, the obvious grounding, and noticed that the pickup shields do not have continuity to the output jack housing as I expected them to have (differential amp?).  I found that with the pickup connectors removed from the selector switch the resistance from the selector switch output sheild to the jack body was 4k7 ohms.    
 
Could this be a pickup grounding issue?    
 
Has anyone run into similar problems?  Any help would be greatly appreciated.  
 
Clint  
 

 
(Message edited by triodecr on June 06, 2003)

[mica]

We've run into what I've termed the environmental disaster of the digital TV pushing the FM stations down on the towers. My dad has solved the problem, so it can be remedied. I'll need you to share the following information with with me:
 
1. Serial number of the guitar and if purchased new or used.
 
2. What city are you in and do you happen to know how far away the offending transmitter is?
 
3. Is the signal of equal or similar strength in both pickups?
 
4. Does the strength of the signal change with orientation (is it directional)?
 
Hopefully you haven't discovered a new problem, and we'll be able to perform a standard upgrade on your electronics.  
 
Looking forward to your responses and to getting your guitar in good working order.

[triodecr]

Mica,  
Thanks for the quick reply!  
 
The s/n is 01OG12698 and I purchased it used.  It was originally sold at Washington Music on 4/12/03.  I received it 6/4 registered it Thursday 6/5.  
 
I am in Fort Wayne, IN.  I noticed it is also picking up 96.3MHz though not as loud as 89.1.  Most of the towers are on the west side of town, which is where I live!  I am not familiar with the location of these particular stations but it's a pretty safe guess that they are within a mile or two.  Ironically, the station less than half a mile away isn't picking up (103.9)!  
 
The signal is of equal strength in both pickups and slightly directional.  
 
Tonight I will be able to try the guitar out at a friend's house and see what happens.  
 
Thank you
 

[triodecr]

Mica,
I used the guitar at practice last night and had no problems with picking up radio or hum!  I guess I just can't use it in my apartment.  If there is an upgrade that needs to be done please let me know.  Thanks,
 
Clint  

[mica]

There's two options for the repair. We can either send you new electronics you can install yourself then return the originals to us or you can send the guitar in for us to replace the electronics.  
 
The parts are modular and simply unplug, so if you've got some nut drivers and a slotted screwdriver, self-installing will probably get the guitar up and running faster.  
 
Let me know what you'd like to do.

[triodecr]

Mica,  
I would rather do the swap myself to minimize downtime.  What would the upgrade cost?  
 
Also, Anthony, the bass player in our band,  has had similar problems with his Orion 5.  If we both get upgrades is it possible to ship and return both upgrades at the same time?  I'll let him post his info.  
 
Thanks!  
 
 
 
(Message edited by triodecr on June 10, 2003)

[mica]

Email me your mailing address (mica@alembic.com) and I'll arrange to get the upgraded electronics to you. As long as you return the originals, there is only a $45 charge unless you need overnight freight or something.  
 
The price is different for different years, so also include the serial number of  the bass so I can check that for you.  
 
After they're all purdied up we'd love to hear an example of you Alembic string section.

[anthony_gage]

Hi, Mica  
 
My bass was mande in '97.  I changed the bass/treble unit to a filter and Q switch in February.  It picks up 107.9 when either pickup is soloed.  It only does it in some rooms.  How much is the upgrade for the filter?  Thanks.  
 
Anthony
 
(Message edited by anthony gage on June 24, 2003)