Low output from bridge p/u of Brown Bass

[clarkybass]

Hi Mica and fellow forum-ites, I just picked up a Brown Bass (imported from Australia; s/n 07BB13733 for your records, Mica). Its clearly been in a humid environment as I had to do a lot of de-tarnishing the brass and there is oxidisation (white powder) around the switches. I have two problems, one relatively minor:  
 
1. The LED switch only works if I engage it and then tweak it back very slightly - I guess it maybe has some dust or oxidisation inside and so some switch cleaner and switch toggling back and forth would probably do the trick here. Do you agree?
 
2. More importantly, I thought the four-position rotary switch only had two quite similar sounding positions and two stand-by/silent positions on first playing the bass. On further inspection, the position nearest standby (which I take to be the bridge pickup solo'd) isn't silent, its just very quiet, probably half the volume of the neck pickup (which is why the mix position on the rotary switch sounds similar to the neck pickup solo'd). When I play with my amp, the sound of the bridge pickup is fine (no distortions or oddities), its just very quiet. What do I need to do here? Raise the bridge pickup or have the electronics looked at? Or maybe something else?  
 
Bit frustrating really as I've been looking for a BB for ages and then its taken several weeks to get this from Australia. I am sure it will be just fine (the bass itself is a beauty; link here to photos http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/ALEMBIC-stanley-clarke-BROWN-BASS-/161154387667?pt=AU_Audio_CDs&hash=item25858cced3&nma=true&si=KuxQWbGNp1FKfyn%252Fg%252BfF5JCucPs%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557) but I'd like it to be perfect! So all help gratefully appreciated

[jazzyvee]

Hi Clarky good news on the brown bass.  
1) The problem you have with the LED switch is the same as my black bass and I've tried the toggling back and forth but it doesn't make any difference but I've decided it isn't a major problem as i can get it to work. I should probably get a new switch when I make an order for other parts to save postage. I haven't tried any switch cleaner though.
 
2) Have you checked the blue trim pots inside the control cavity, one or both may be lower than you would like them to be. I'd check that before adjusting the bridge pickup height. On my SC Signature they are both on max.
Jazzyvee
 
(Message edited by jazzyvee on December 09, 2013)

[clarkybass]

Follow-up: I spotted another thread along similar lines here and followed the advice of adjusting the trim pot on the bridge pickup and its sorted! I have pretty closely matched the output volume of the bridge and neck pickups when solo'd. Slight oddity is that the mix/combined position seems to be louder than the individual pickups. Thats something I can easily live with but if anyone has any suggestions here ...

[clarkybass]

ha ha was just writing my reply when you posted, jazzyvee! The trim pot trick worked. Still find it slightly odd that the mid position is louder as seems a bit illogical!

[keith_h]

The louder sound when both pickups are selected is normal. Using both pickups with the V-V-F-F setup is additive as opposed to the V-P-F-F arrangement. With the LED switch I have run into the same thing and usually exercising the switch resolves the problem.  
 
Keith

[clarkybass]

Thanks Keith, both reassuring and helpful!

[clarkybass]

Oops double post
 
(Message edited by Clarkybass on December 09, 2013)

[mtjam]

Glad to hear your pickup issue is solved. I first learned about the additive quality of selecting both pickups when I started using my Series 2.
 
Enjoy your new bass!

[lbpesq]

I had a similar problem with the LED switch on Woody, my custom Further.  Mica said there was a batch of the mini switches that had this problem over time.  Alembic swapped it out for me, no charge.  Of course it sure helps to live in the shadow of the mothership!
 
Bill, tgo