Author Topic: Scd is distorted (Read 164 times)

glocke · « **on:** February 08, 2008, 05:51:29 PM »

I'm getting a distorted signal on my scd when I play it hard.
I've ruled out all other equipment problems. Any ideas what this could be?

David Houck · « **Reply #1 on:** February 08, 2008, 06:19:41 PM »

Sometimes the output of an Alembic's preamp will overdrive the preamp section of the amp it's plugged in to. Try opening up the control cavity and turning down the two trim pots (one for each pickup). This won't change the tone of the bass, but will reduce the amount of signal going to your amp.

Some amps have a second input specifically for active basses that pad the input signal; if your amp has such an input, you might try that as well.

I'm also wondering if it might be a sign that the battery is starting to get weak. Might try a fresh battery.

And of course you might try the usual suspects for signal path problems - cables.

glocke · « **Reply #2 on:** February 08, 2008, 08:33:12 PM »

thanks dave, but I've tried all the usual suspects (batteries, cables, different amps, etc) . Not sure what to do next.

David Houck · « **Reply #3 on:** February 08, 2008, 09:09:16 PM »

Pan all the way to the neck and then all the way to the bridge to see if the problem is isolated to one pickup circuit.

jazzyvee · « **Reply #4 on:** February 09, 2008, 02:26:38 AM »

I've heard people have problems like that on the forum before and If I'm not mistaken they were advised that the volume, pan and filter pots can be cleaned turning them back and forth quickly a about thirty times. You may wanna try that and if that is the problem that may be clear it up but if not at least you've given them a clean in the process.

I'm sure you have checked this out but are you sure it's not low action buzz?

I had that on my SC a few years ago but it was only around the 3rd fret on the G string. I can't recall if I did anything about it apart from play lighter. I do like a low action so that when I do play hard i get a nice edge to the sound but the problem is not there now. But then I've messed with the action a bit since then.

Jazzyvee

glocke · « **Reply #5 on:** February 09, 2008, 06:08:27 AM »

Nope, its not low action buzz, as an electircal engineering/drummer friend puts it I am getting an incomplete waveform..

I tried panning between the pickups, and the problem seems to be more pronounced with the bridge pickup dialed in. The problem is less, and even non-existent with the neck pickup dialed in. Futhermore, it is intermittent. I spent 10 minutes last night warming up, playing with different levels of attack, and for the first 5 minutes everything was fine, than the problem started. The problem lasted almost all night, than went away after about two hours.....

AlI tried jazzys suggestion about cleaning the pots, but the problem is still there.. Im starting to feel like a trip back to the factory might be in order. Im kind of hesitant to do this since it would mean at least a month without my bass (1 week shipping from the philly area, I imagine at leat two weeks at alembic, than 1 week shipping back). I think I know what the answer to this is already, but do you guys think I could trust this to a local guy

?

(Message edited by glocke on February 09, 2008)

glocke · « **Reply #6 on:** February 09, 2008, 10:42:31 AM »

problem solved, and I feel pretty stupid....lol..

I assumed that the 3 batteries in the battery cavity controlled the pickups, and the single battery in the control cavity controlled the LED's...wrong on that one. Replaced the single battery in the control cavity and all is good....

David Houck · « **Reply #7 on:** February 09, 2008, 11:13:11 AM »

Congrats!!!

kilowatt · « **Reply #8 on:** February 09, 2008, 11:16:13 AM »

Don't feel too stupid, I thought that I had blown a speaker in one of my cabinets when I heard a terrible distortion. Turned out to be the same problem, a low battery level in my Modulus. I was glad , but I still felt stupid!

Regards,
Pete

georgie_boy · « **Reply #9 on:** February 10, 2008, 01:57:12 AM »

Had the same problem with my Curbow bass and my Fender M80.
I thought it was an amp or speaker failure, but it was just the battery!
Phew!!
G

hankster · « **Reply #10 on:** February 10, 2008, 05:52:39 AM »

Sounds like we've all been through this. It has finally happened to me enough times that I no longer break into a sweat and start worrying about expensive equipment repair when it happens, I just sigh, pull out the screwdriver and a battery and all is well. Used to happen with my Music Man with some frequency, but just far enough apart that I would forget and panic.

Rick

lbpesq · « **Reply #11 on:** February 10, 2008, 08:05:45 AM »

I bought a cheap little battery tester at Radio SHack - under $10. It tests everything: AAA to D and 9v. It's small and always lives in my bag-o-stuff that ALWAYS accompanies me everywhere I play. Any problems, first thing I do is test the battery. I also test all new batteries before installation. I've been known to absent-mindedly put an old battery back in the bag and then try and use it again. This is a cheap and quick precaution and is extremely effective in preventing the DOH's!!!.

Bill, tgo

hankster · « **Reply #12 on:** February 10, 2008, 05:18:43 PM »

Good points, Bill. The other comment I would make is that I have learned the hard way not to buy batteries from the corner market closest to the gig at the last minute - there are, oddly enough, a ton of counterfeit name-brand batteries out there, and they last about fifteen minutes in a power hungry effect box. I now buy batteries only from decent hardware stores or music stores, and like you, make sure there are fresh, real ones in my gig bag all the time.

Rick

lbpesq · « **Reply #13 on:** February 10, 2008, 11:50:35 PM »

Consumer Reports tested batteries and found the Costco house brand among the best ... and cheapest!

Bill, tgo

terryc · « **Reply #14 on:** February 11, 2008, 02:21:23 AM »

I guess we all forget about that little power pack as it it out of sight.
Same happened to my son who inherited my alembic powered Squier Precision..ranting on about the amp being distorted etc. 'Put a new battery in'
Problem sorted.
I have read that 7000 hours is about the norm for a PP3 in most Alembic basses, depends if you leave you bass plugged in on the guitar stand in between sets, I always unplug..think about old non DC powered pedals!