Stripped control plate screws and other issues

[matbard]

Hi all, and thanks to Mica!

I finally managed to open the plate... please give a welcome to the guts 








And here the little demon screws:





So basically now I have to put the threaded inserts, but I'm a little scared about the narrow wood edge, I fear to crack it

[edwardofhuncote]

There you go! Everything looks in order there too.


Practice on another piece of wood first, Matteo. Once you're comfortable sizing the holes for the threaded inserts, set them in your bass. (you've seen the installation instructions,  right?) https://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=207.0 Again, before gluing in, back those holes with some masking tape to keep any excess from dripping inside. 

[matbard]

Practice on another piece of wood first, Matteo. Once you're comfortable sizing the holes for the threaded inserts, set them in your bass. (you've seen the installation instructions,  right?) https://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=207.0 Again, before gluing in, back those holes with some masking tape to keep any excess from dripping inside. 

Yes, I read Mica's guide about installing threaded inserts many times, but I'm guessing how they could keep the screws without wood support on the bottom, as I'm going to put them in the tiny edge

[dela217]

I struggle with this on a few of my basses too.      It would be nice to see the threaded inserts in the Alembic store along with the screws.

[matbard]

Hello Community,

I managed to repair the stripped holes using the old skool method (little toothpicks dowels glued with Titebond), then I redrilled the pilot holes and put the cleaned, original wood screws into.

Now the arrangment seems to work properly! 

[matbard]

Another question: the trimmer pots on the rear were all "maxed out" (completely turned clockwise). I put them all at the minimum.

Is there a "preset" position from which starting adjusting gain and noise suppression? Thanks!

[edwardofhuncote]

Nothing wrong with the old-skool toothpick fix on stripped screw holes. If it works, then it works.


Here's the humcancelling procedure thread: https://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=269.0

[matbard]

Here's the humcancelling procedure thread: https://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=269.0

Thanks Ed, I read that thread before and saved it for the humcancelling procedure. But are there "zero positions" for the the two gain pots?

[edwardofhuncote]

I set mine so that the outputs for each pickup were balanced, as I most often play with both of them engaged, but also turned down enough so that the overall output was not vastly louder than my other two Alembic basses that are not Series-equipped. (if that makes any sense...) I often switch between them, and this keeps me from having to adjust input gain at the amp or preamp point. These Series basses send out a really 'hot' signal.


In short, I don't think it matters what level the gain for each pickup is set to, only that you dial out the inherent hum at that setting with the inner trimpot to that pickup. Maybe start with the gain trimpots in the middle of their sweep, and adjust from there? Just remember to do one at a time.