Author Topic: Pickup Electronics Wiring Help Please! (Read 152 times)

4wheeling · « **on:** June 28, 2009, 09:51:15 PM »

Hello Everyone, I have an 83 Peter Elias ass which he put Alembic active electronics in. I recently tore down the bass to refinish it and when going to put it back together I noticed a few wires were off of a few places in the electonics. There are three pots (170-044) (170-041) (170-043) and a hookup for the 9 Volt batters and the input jack. I am missing two of the wires off the input jack (there should be three total), off the (170-044) pot there is a black and a purple wire which I would assume go to the input jack. But which one goes to what contact? The two that are broken off the jack is the center hole contact and the longest most contact (one that would contact the tip of the patch cord plug). There was also a wire coming through the body of the bass which was stripped bare and squashed under the metal bridge (a ground perhaps?) where does this wire run to? I have attached a couple photos for referance, I look forward to your responses. Clint

elwoodblue · « **Reply #1 on:** June 28, 2009, 10:52:16 PM »

Taking a quick look at one of my assemblies...the purple wire goes to the tip connection (positive) of the jack and the black goes to the sleeve (ground) of the jack.

My jack is the kind that disconnects the battery when unplugged, I'm guessing that the red striped and black wire extending out of the photo are for the battery and there is another mechanism to turn off the battery current.

I bet someone who is well versed in this will chime in.

hope this helps a little,

4wheeling · « **Reply #2 on:** June 28, 2009, 11:13:14 PM »

The red striped/red wire go to the positive on the battery and the other black wire that goes out of the bottom of the picture goes between the negitive side of the battery then over to the input jack (you can see that wire still attached in the top picture).

Any idea about that ground wire that was going from the bottom side of the bridge to somewhere?

Clint

elwoodblue · « **Reply #3 on:** June 28, 2009, 11:32:17 PM »

The bridge ground wire would go to the sleeve of the jack also...not necessary to make the circuit work but creates a better ground. If there is any shielding in the electronics cavity (silver paint or copper foil) then that should be connected to the bridge ground.

I'm no expert and I bet you'll have more responses by tomorrow...I need to re-install a couple of the same assemblies into my guitars so this is a good review for me too.

(and welcome to the forum!)
kris

essenceman · « **Reply #4 on:** July 03, 2009, 03:45:15 AM »

I have an Essence and the electronics look similar. If you go here, it might help you. Just ignore the Q switch attached to the filter. Although I can recommend fitting one.
Rob

4wheeling · « **Reply #5 on:** July 16, 2009, 08:51:47 PM »

Thanks guys, I refinished her from bare wood and gave her a Tung Oil finish which turned out great! The wiring worked fantastic and I'm good to go! Thanks again. I know shes not an Alembic but its the best I can do for now and it is a really great sounding bass by an amazing builder.

tmoney61092 · « **Reply #6 on:** July 16, 2009, 09:11:28 PM »

wo, not that it matters, what made you put the pickups in upside down???

~Taylor Watterson

4wheeling · « **Reply #7 on:** July 16, 2009, 09:31:33 PM »

Does it matter? It just seemed the best way to take up the slack in the wires coming off them. It sounds just fine as is but perhaps there is more to it then that.

C