Author Topic: Noise from my Series 1 (Read 177 times)

dnburgess · « **on:** May 08, 2003, 04:04:15 PM »

I am getting quite a bit of electronic noise in my S1 (1990 build). It appears to be due to some kind of RF interaction between the bass and the amplifier as the noise diminishes when I move away from the rig. Also the noise is reduced if the bass is perpendicular to the rig and increases if the bass is parallel to the rig?! (Imagine the body and neck of the bass in one plane and the face plate of the amplifier in another plane.)

The problem would appear to be in the bass as I've had the same problem with two different rigs - one an F1-X/QSC combo - the other an old Fender Bassman (all tube).

BTW, I had some defunct capacitors replaced a few months ago by an experienced bass tech. Mica - you may remember the call from Jeff Mallia in Sydney.

Any ideas?

mica · « **Reply #1 on:** May 08, 2003, 05:34:25 PM »

You should check out this post about the hum balance adjustments. But a 1990 bass was made before our latest electronics, and you may have to send the bass to us for an upgrade. Not a pretty option from Australia I realize. Unfortunately at this time the upgrade can only be done in person by my father. In the future we hope to have an in-field upgrade available (like replacing the preamp card) but that isn't likely to be available soon.

Wish I had better news for you.

yggdrasil · « **Reply #2 on:** May 12, 2003, 12:31:26 PM »

Mica-

what is the year of manufacture that the electronics no longer need the upgrade? (I'm very happy with the upgrade on my 1977 Series 1, BTW)

Thanks,

Frank

dnburgess · « **Reply #3 on:** May 12, 2003, 04:17:11 PM »

Mica

Thanks for the tip - the adjustment has reduced the noise a bit.

How long does the electronics upgrade take? I may visit the US next year on business. Was hoping to visit you anyway - so could bring my bass with me - will be able to give you plenty of advance notice in the event that the upgrade could be slotted in while I was there.

As a matter of interest - what do the two outer trimpots on the back of the bass do?

mica · « **Reply #4 on:** May 12, 2003, 05:01:39 PM »

Frank - the current version of electronics is as of July 2000. Glad your bass is happily quiet now.

David - We can book an advance appointment and suggest you allow at least a week of at Alembic time. By next year, my dad should have his FFT replaced (we've been shopping lately) which will speed these procedures up a bit. Sometimes the instruments are very finicky and we just don't know until we get started if yours will be an easy one or a hard one. Alot can happen in a year - with the new equipment and more experience, I hope we can give you a more reliable time estimate.

The other 2 trimpots are the gain for each pickup. You can adjust the height of the pickups and care only about the change in tone, not in output. Then later correct the output with the trimpots.

dnburgess · « **Reply #5 on:** May 12, 2003, 08:25:40 PM »

Thanks - as I will be coming via the west coast I will try to drop the bass of on the way in and pick it up on the way out of the US. Will contact you closer to the time.

How much does the upgrade cost?