Author Topic: Cavity conundrum (Read 798 times)

mtjam · « **Reply #15 on:** January 31, 2015, 11:33:37 PM »

Thanks for the advice! That's pretty much what I figured; I just needed reassurance from someone more knowledgeable than I am. The bass is working (although it seems to have developed some static-type noise in the last few days when I switch it to the neck pickup. At my gig last weekend, the bridge pickup was noisy!

Eventually, I think it needs to go to the Mothership. However, for now, I will deal with its quirks!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

sonicus · « **Reply #16 on:** February 01, 2015, 08:47:10 AM »

I remember one time seeing a hideous material such as this inside of a mixing board around a ribbon cable connector. I had all of the correct replacement parts so I proceeded to explore with the removal of all of the encrusted connectors and sure enough I found that the little snap hooks on the old connector were damaged and that is why someone used the nasty looking adhesive. If I did not have the replacement parts I might have had to resort to an alternative method as well .

mtjam · « **Reply #17 on:** February 01, 2015, 09:05:45 AM »

Thanks again for being the voice of reason. Played it this morning and wasn't hearing any noise. I just have to learn to accept that my number 1 bass is temperamental until I can one day get it into the hands of Alembic.

edwardofhuncote · « **Reply #18 on:** February 01, 2015, 09:35:05 AM »

I have used white vinegar to dissolve some glues, but must admit that I have no idea what that stuff is.

Luckily it seems to not be affecting output. =)

sonicus · « **Reply #19 on:** February 01, 2015, 09:39:07 AM »

I think that once in the hands of Alembic would be the best remedy ultimately . I also have a nice 81 Series I Standard Point . My distillate is also an 81 . Both medium scale , I like the necks on both of them .

terryc · « **Reply #20 on:** February 01, 2015, 09:52:17 AM »

You the moral of the story here is if you cannot fix it yourself then give it to someone who can and not just do a 'cowboy' job AND I don't mean you mtjam but the the previous owner of the bass!
I have repaired various guitar and basses over the years and I have encountered similar problems, not so much glue but once I saw the vol pot on a P bass with a paper clip holding the hot wire onto the pot lug! When I asked the kid(he looked very young) did he do this, his answer was 'I don't know how to solder!'

cozmik_cowboy · « **Reply #21 on:** February 01, 2015, 10:00:06 AM »

I had all of the correct replacement parts so I proceeded to explore with the removal of all of the encrusted connectors and sure enough I found that the little snap hooks on the old connector were damaged and that is why someone used the nasty looking adhesive.

...once I saw the vol pot on a P bass with a paper clip holding the hot wire onto the pot lug! When I asked the kid(he looked very young) did he do this, his answer was 'I don't know how to solder!'

The horror! The humanity! Do we live in a world so degenerate that duct tape has been forgotten?!?!?

Peter (who tries to avoid field fixes, but has soldered a broken fuzz box mid-solo)

mtjam · « **Reply #22 on:** February 01, 2015, 11:23:58 AM »

I often wonder why people do crazy things to Alembics or other instruments. I have learned to adjust a few things on my Alembics, but I have very little knowledge of working on electronics so I will leave those alone!

I love my Series 1 Standard Point. The medium scale is perfect for me in terms of balance and playability. Sounded great this morning, but I hope to get it to the Wickershams eventually. It could use some tidying up if those electronics and a new case. The original one is pretty beat but functional at this time.

jon_jackson · « **Reply #23 on:** February 01, 2015, 01:33:17 PM »

Peter, that was very funny!
Jon

terryc · « **Reply #24 on:** February 02, 2015, 10:25:12 AM »

Oh I forgot about that universal fix-it-all material DUCT TAPE!
No gig bag should ever leave home without at least a dozen rolls!

sonicus · « **Reply #25 on:** February 02, 2015, 03:45:25 PM »

Duct Tape VS Gaffers Tape ; In the Motion Picture Industry and live sound FOH and stage and studio circles and stage hands Gaffers Tape is often used for cables etc ... . There is a difference ! Real good Gaffers tape will not leave a nasty sticky film on your cables but Duct tape will . This video shows a good explanation ;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obXiH3VODxc

Duct Tape does have multiple handy applications ! Back in the late 1970's While I was working with a local Bay Area jam band with sound/ roady and various tasks>____ I once made a temporary guitar strap for one of the guitarists from DUCT TAPE ! indeed my friends !

The guitarist was a bit upset when he realized that he was without a strap . I quickly spoke I will make you a strap here and now I then pulled out a roll of duct tape . He looked at me and said NO , you are not duct taping my Gibson ES 335 to my body ! I then pulled out and measured a diagonal length of the tape across his back ( without sticking it to him ) , that is the correct length , I spoke . I repeated pulling out a total of ten identical lengths accurately sticking them on top of one another accept for the last length that I applied sticky side to sticky side. Next I said now I just have to make holes in the correct spots , I did just that . There we have it ___ as I handed it to him . The expression on his face seemed hopeful of my creations ability to work , it did work and got him through the gig. It was nor very flexible but strong enough for one gig . He played the whole gig with an amused grin on his face !

(Message edited by sonicus on February 02, 2015)

edwin · « **Reply #26 on:** February 04, 2015, 12:40:06 AM »

When I was touring with Vince Herman, a duct tape strap was part of his rig. He would make a new one every few months.

Pretty much anyone who I play with who brings duct tape to a gig finds that it mysteriously disappears. It's nasty evil stuff that belongs nowhere near a stage, straps notwithstanding.

terryc · « **Reply #27 on:** February 04, 2015, 12:21:13 PM »

Duct/gaffer tape..even Mark King wraps his thumb in it to stop it splitting under the intense slapping he does!
Sonicus, love your necessity is the mother of invention guitar strap, I shall keep that in my memory if or when it happens at a gig!
Another tip..when securing the cables with the tape always fold a little lug back on itself at the end, easier to remove at the end of a gig(especially after too much beer!)

keith_h · « **Reply #28 on:** February 04, 2015, 12:31:21 PM »

I always throw a roll or two of gaffer tape into my tool bag. I've also been known to carry a roll of duct tape for those times I need a bit more sticking power.

Keith

sonicus · « **Reply #29 on:** February 04, 2015, 12:33:20 PM »

Terry , Thanks . I like to do this as well ; Terry wrote , Another tip..when securing the cables with the tape always fold a little lug back on itself at the end, easier to remove at the end of a gig(especially after too much beer!) , That's it Brother !

Wolf