A Question for Mica or Susan. . .

[bucky]

Hi all at Alembic! I have a question about my Alembic Brown Bass SN 74-52. As I record with it  I've noticed there are some electronic buzzes pickup / channel drop out problems particularly it seems with the Bass pickup. Would it be possible for me to bring it by Alembics shop on my next trip north and have you experts check it out for me? Are there special days you do this? What would be a good day of the week and time? It might just be dirty pots or perhaps there's a component or two on the PC Board that needs replacing. I'm not searching for new electronics though. Just to keep the vintage ones I have in good repair. .  
 
Thanks in advance for your time,
 
Jeff Sherman

[mica]

Hi Jeff,
 
You should first try and make the adjustments described here. If the buzzes are low frequency, the hum balance procedure should clear it up or reduce it a bunch.
 
You're welcome to drop by when you're in the area for a brief evaluation of the problem you're experiencing. Ron's the one that would be fixing your bass, and I'm booking appointments in July for him at this point (there's only one Ron!). We'll be able to tell if the repair is something simple or if you'll need to have Ron work on it and upgrade the electronics.  
 
Please contact us at least a day ahead of time to make sure that someone will be available to check out your bass.

[bucky]

Mica:
 
Thanks! I have similar instructions for the hum sensitivity adjustment pots serviceable through the brass plate on the back of my Small Standard Brown Bass. These instructions are from Alembic circa the '70s and I have tried them and they worked. However my current problem of the Bass Pickup dropping out is still there. I'm thinking it might just be that the pot itself needs to be cleaned with some electronics spray. If that pickup still drops out perhaps it's a component with an intermittent short or one that's starting to fail but hasn't gone %100. In that instance I will call and let you guys know. Is it possible to replace the components on the Series I and II basses with parts available today? I know when my luthier friend was marveling at the components on the Alembic PC board he noted that the potentiometers for the volumes and tone control are a brand that were the very best available on the planet back in 1974. However he also said that he doesn't think they're made anymore. . .in any case I think I need to have your Ron put this puppy on the Oscilloscope and a circuit tester and do a complete physical. .  
 
Thanks again for all your help,
 
Jeff
 
P.S. Someone told me that it was Susan that designed the look of the Small Standard Basses, is that true? I'd love her to see this bass in person. . it really has aged beautifully. .  
 

[bucky]

Hey Mica;
 
I used some spray electronics cleaner to spray the hum and sensitivity adjustment pots on the back of my Series I Brown bass. And though it didn't seem to make a difference in the Bass Pickup Drop out-Humm problem when plugged into the Power Supply, I found I could plug my headphones right into the stereo 1/4 Inch jack and the Bass and Treble pickuos were BOTH there and fine. This leaves me to believe the problem is either in the Power Supplys Bass Pickup Channel Or the Alembic proprietary 5 PIN DIN cables plugs or cord.  
 
Sound right? Can I just bring THEM up to Alembic to have you diagnose and fix then?
 
Thanks,
 
Jeff