Distillate wiring diagram

[Cat Man]

Hi,
Is there a place on this site where I could find a wiring diagram for a 1982 Distillate or a procedure to acquire one?
Thanks,
Dave

[pauldo]

Dave,
Someone should be able to assist you. 
Is there a specific problem you have with your bass?   
Are you looking for a diagram with fancy electrical symbols on it?  (all Greek to me)

You would be amazed at the talent here… sometimes just posting a picture of a control cavity can garner some pretty amazing assessments from Club members.

Alternatively (not knowing if all Distillates are wired the same) I could take a picture of my 84’s guts and see if that answers any of your questions.

[Cat Man]

Thanks for the offer. There seems to be a loose ground. It’s the large gauge black wire in the cavity…connects to copper tape on the body. But I want to consult a diagram to make sure where it should go.
I’ve been happily playing it everyday for 2 1/2 years and a couple of days ago it started cutting out like something was up with the jack. I replaced the battery, checked for loose wires and noticed what I think is the ground. At the moment it is silent so it maybe something else.

[adriaan]

Alembic tends to use silver shielding paint, so copper tape in itself might suggest a repair by a third party not following the original shielding method. Part of which is that the strings are not grounded, so that raises the question where that large gauge black wire connects to...

[mica]

There is no ground wire that connects to the cavity on any instrument electronics. LEDs without static protection do have a ground but they aren't part of the circuit so would not be the problem you are describing.

Can you post an image of what's under the hood - that will probably be the easiest way to get it repaired. There are several versions of the Distillate circuit, all handwired, and not fun to follow an engineering schematic.

[Cat Man]

I have attempted to attach a reduced photo...the black wire is shown unattached. I thought it might belong on the copper tape to the right of it which lays on the silver coated cavity but that doesn't help...it maybe unrelated to my issue. It may come down to user error.
 

[xlrogue6]

The black wire and the copper tape are not factory. Is there an issue with the function of the electronics?

[edwardofhuncote]

Cat; here are a couple under-the-plate shots of my '81 Distillate. Not sure if they will be helpful to you, but so far as I know, the board has not been altered. The bass had its 4-position switch exchanged for a pan pot before I got it, but that shouldn't matter here. I also added a ferrite bead bead around the pickup leads.


Good luck sorting out your trouble... ain't much better than an old Distillate. Love mine.

[Cat Man]

Thanks for the photo of the ’81.
The copper tape and black wire in mine seem to have no purpose. The battery light is on and my meter says that the connections from the battery to the jack and circuit board show power. I can’t find any loose connections in the cavity and the bass sputtered and went silent while I was playing it. I’ve tried another amp and cable. I’m up for diagnostic suggestions and I’m in New Orleans in case someone knows an Alembic electrician here. Thanks.

[StephenR]

While you straighten out the current issue you may want to consider disconnecting the LED, your battery life will be way better. I used to only get about 24 hours of life out my Distillate's battery, mine was also from 1982 and had the LED. I got sick of tossing batteries before they died mid-song on stage again (you do not want to experience this).

You may have to send the electronics to Alembic for diagnosis/repair if there is no obvious simple reason for your problem. The black wire and copper tape seem to indicate there was a previous electronics issue (grounding?) that someone tried to address.

[dela217]

Hey.    I'm in New Orleans too.   Unfortunately I am no help with the Distillate.    I am only familiar with the Series basses.   But I have someone I can recommend to you.   He has completely rebuilt the electronics on one of my my Hyak Basses by replacing failed components on the 3 different circuit boards.

I will message you his phone number.    Tell him you are from the Alembic club and you know Michael Delacerda.

If you want to peep out my Series 1, I am playing at the Spotlight in Metairie tonight at 8.

Michael

[edwardofhuncote]

If 'Nawlins wasn't such a haul, I'd load up my Hyak and see you there. I'd have to leave yesterday to make downbeat.

Anyone qualified to work on Michael's basses Cat, I'd say is the next best thing to The Wizard himself.

[Cat Man]

Well hot damn...thanks one and all.
Michael you can use this email address for the NOLA Wizard's contact info....[email address removed]
All the best
Dave

[dela217]

I sent you an email.    Good luck!

Michael