Author Topic: Alembic Series 1 broken switch (Read 330 times)

pluke63 · « **on:** March 05, 2012, 04:16:34 AM »

I had my 1981 Series 1 pickup selector/switch broken, I asked for a replacement to Alembic and when it was time to order... they just stopped replying to my messages! I tried again like 5 or 6 times to get an invoice via Paypal but never obtained an answer so far. It's been 2 months and it really looks surreal as it is the first time this happens, usually people at Alembic have always been very kind and available. Anyone experiencing anything similar? Thanks, all the best to everyone from me and my comatose Series 1...

JimmyJ · « **Reply #1 on:** March 05, 2012, 05:34:27 AM »

Luca,

Sometimes it is difficult to get a reply from Alembic headquarters simply because they are a small family operation and often occupied with keeping a manufacturing facility running...

Are you talking about the black plastic knob which has broken and not the actual switch? You mentioned PayPal so have you already paid for the replacement or are you just trying to place an order?

You see, I'm in Italy right now and I'm carrying 2 replacement pointy knobs. My Series II has the same knobs for Q-boost so really I have built in spares. Maybe I could send you these extras? How's the Italian postal service?

Jimmy J

pluke63 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 05, 2012, 07:22:32 AM »

Thank you Jimmy for your reply. Unfortunately it is the electronics part which is broken, it began with a buzz and crackles and now the bass is completely mute... I could not complete the transaction and i could not pay because they never sent me an invoice... If I can't get the original part I will need to get a local repairer to try and fix it, I mean try because he told me he can't guarantee to make it work without the original part... thanks again anyway for your concern!

JimmyJ · « **Reply #3 on:** March 05, 2012, 08:00:19 AM »

Well, ironically I'm also carrying a spare switch but I can't part with that in the rare case that I might need it myself. I've only worn out one of these rotary switches in all my years of playing Alembics - and that switch gets spun many many times per gig. All the components chosen by Alembic are extremely robust but eventually moving parts can wear out.

Please wait for Mica to respond so you can get the exact piece you need. I believe they can even send you a pre wired switch so that the soldering can be done in the wiring harness cavity as opposed to dangling off the small horn (oh, not sure where your switch is located).

Hang on, be patient, Mica will come to your rescue!
Jimmy J

pluke63 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 05, 2012, 08:25:20 AM »

Exactly what you said, the only time Mica wrote back was telling me about the pre-wiring... The switch was probably broken the time the kids made the Series 1 fall on the floor (yeah, I know...), so I guess in this case its robustness was not enough...So, if you say I have to be faithful, then I will be! Cheers, all the best xx

slawie · « **Reply #5 on:** March 08, 2012, 02:49:29 PM »

I found it always best to call Mica with a follow up for parts I require.
I found that talking to a real person as opposed to email worked best for me.
It is also nice to hear Micas voice which reassures me someone is on the job.

slawie

pluke63 · « **Reply #6 on:** May 11, 2012, 06:01:37 AM »

hey guys, I finally got it!
I received the bits in the morning (at last!) so I am going to have my Series 1 fixed!
Thank you everyone for your support and thanks and apologies to Mica whom I pestered trying to obtain information about the transaction... I won't do that again, sorry!
All the best to everyone
Luca