Author Topic: Help!! (Read 345 times)

bassplaynmatt · « **on:** September 26, 2003, 11:10:57 PM »

My Epic is Down!! I repeat my Epic is down. I have had complete pickup failure. If anybody knows the quickest way to get service in Bloomington, Indiana I would be very grateful for the advice.

David Houck · « **Reply #1 on:** September 27, 2003, 09:26:24 AM »

It seems unlikely that both pickups would fail at the same time; so I would guess it's something other than the pickups. I would start with the battery, though I would imagine you've already tried a new one. But just for kicks try another new one from a different batch; sometimes when you buy several together, they can all be from the same bad shipment. After that, I would check to make sure that all the connections are good; unplug and replug them all. You could then check each of the pots with a volt/ohm meter to make sure current is flowing from the battery into and out of each. You can get one at a hardware store for not too much money; they are also handy for checking the voltage of 9v batteries. My guess is, once you've isolated the problem area, you will need to contact Mica about ordering a replacement.

I hope this is helpful, and I hope you get the problem resolved soon.

bassplaynmatt · « **Reply #2 on:** September 27, 2003, 01:08:51 PM »

Thanks Dave,
Its not the battery and to give more of a detailed description of the problem I am getting nothing but static with the bass plugged in and turned up. I tried checking the connections and that did not help. I do think it is a connection problem because when I wiggle the wiring I get serious crackle and pop. However, Its not an obvious connection because all appear intact. Any more info would be great.

Matt

David Houck · « **Reply #3 on:** September 27, 2003, 01:30:47 PM »

Have you eliminated the cable to the amp; the amp, effects and associated cables; the speaker and its cable? Or in other words, have you tried a different bass, a different cable, a different amp, etc.? Is the cable from the amp sitting properly in the input jack? If you are sure it's the wiring in the bass you may want to find the best guitar shop in town and have their best tech check the wiring. And again you should be able to check the wiring with a volt/ohm meter if you want to be sure before incurring bench time at the guitar shop.

elzie · « **Reply #4 on:** September 27, 2003, 01:31:55 PM »

Wasn't there a similar post a few months ago from someone else? I believe in that case it was a capacitor.

Paul II

David Houck · « **Reply #5 on:** September 27, 2003, 01:42:12 PM »

Yes, back around the beginning of August Duckmauler apparently had a leaking capacitor in his Spoiler. Here are the original and follow up threads:

http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/5565.html?1059952279

http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/5788.html?1061764625

bassplaynmatt · « **Reply #6 on:** September 30, 2003, 02:40:14 PM »

I recived this message from Alembic and it was exactly what was wrong. It took about three minutes to fix.

(I bet if you examine the position of the circuit boards you'll find the solder side of one board is in contact with the conductive paint on the side of the cavity and shorting out.)

Thanks! Matt

elzie · « **Reply #7 on:** September 30, 2003, 05:45:19 PM »

That is good to know!

Thanks for posting the solution to your problem Matt!

Paul II

David Houck · « **Reply #8 on:** October 01, 2003, 06:59:46 AM »

Great! Glad you got it fixed; and just in time as your schedule shows your band is travelling to North Carolina this weekend. And as Elzie said, thanks for letting us know the solution.