Author Topic: Europa on/off switch broken. (Read 796 times)

jazzyvee · « **on:** February 06, 2011, 03:54:47 PM »

:-(
I've just got my bass out of the case to play and no sound coming out of it. So I reached down for the on/off switch and nothing was there. The switch has broken off and in the off position. Even moving the stub does not do anything.

I think what's happened is that when I put the bass on the stand the right angled jack must have swung upwards towards the switch. So that when the bass was down on the stand the metal part of the jack pushed upwards on the switch and broke it off.

Normally Im quite careful about where the jack goes when putting the bass on a stand. I intend to send an email to Mica about it and order a new switch but also get some instructions on how to bypass it as I've always felt that style of switch was in quite a vulnerable position unlike the switches on the series instruments.
I wonder if there is a small replacement rotary style switch that could go there instead. That would be better i think.

jazzyvee

terryc · « **Reply #1 on:** February 07, 2011, 07:19:57 AM »

jazzyvee..I gather this turns the pre amp on??
Take the back plate off and plug your bass into your amp and use a length of wire on the contacts to see if your bass chimes in and solder it as a jumper over the switch, if it's a standard switch I would try Maplins for replacement, if it's a simple on/off component it should be an easy fix

mica · « **Reply #2 on:** February 07, 2011, 09:03:33 AM »

I don't recall ever installing an on/off switch on a Europa - you would get a large POP. I do remember a custom that had a standby switch installed (against my recommendation).

Can you post a picture of that portion of the electronics cavity so I can see what exactly you have under the hood?

FC Bass · « **Reply #3 on:** February 07, 2011, 09:37:11 AM »

It's this one: Clique

and indeed a standby switch.

(Message edited by fc_spoiler on February 07, 2011)

jazzyvee · « **Reply #4 on:** February 07, 2011, 12:37:40 PM »

Mica, I guess my terminology is off so I presume then, that regardless of the position of the switch current is still being drawn by the battery once the lead is in the jack.
Anyway, I will take a photo this evening and post it here for you to observe then hopefully I can move forward with a simple and effective solution.

Jazzyvee

jazzyvee · « **Reply #5 on:** February 07, 2011, 03:47:35 PM »

Here are some pics taken with my phone. Hope they are clear enough to analyse Mica.

Jazzyvee

jazzyvee · « **Reply #6 on:** February 09, 2011, 11:00:22 PM »

Any suggestions Mica?

Jazzyvee

mica · « **Reply #7 on:** February 10, 2011, 05:07:22 PM »

We've thought of three ways to approach this:

1. You can leave the switch installed, and just move the violet wire that's on the center terminal to the top terminal in your image so that both violet wires on on the same terminal. The center terminal will have no wire connected to it. Leaving the resistor won't matter.

2. To replace the switch, use a SPDT type.

3. To eliminate the switch for standard Signature function, route the violet wire from the connector shown with a purple arrow to where the violet wire from the switch was on the output jack (roughly indicated by the red arrow) and remove all the wires connected to the switch.

terryc · « **Reply #8 on:** February 11, 2011, 08:04:05 AM »

Looks like you have to get the soldering iron out jazzyvee..pity you live a distance or I would have done it for you

jazzyvee · « **Reply #9 on:** February 11, 2011, 11:30:41 AM »

yeah but I think I'd like an original switch to replace the broken one so that it is still all the original parts. So if anyone has a spare one knocking about or mica can give me a price for one then that would be great. So that if I decide to sell it in the future i have all original parts. I know how fussy us alembicians can be about non standard instruments.

Jazzyvee

mica · « **Reply #10 on:** February 11, 2011, 01:21:02 PM »

I've emailed you ordering information.

jazzyvee · « **Reply #11 on:** March 06, 2011, 01:14:42 PM »

Thanks Mica, I did reply with some other items. Let me know if you didn't get it and I can re-send.
Thanks

Jazzyvee

jazzyvee · « **Reply #12 on:** March 07, 2011, 02:14:22 PM »

Good news, I've followed Mica's instructions and now I have sound again from my bass.

Jazzyvee

jazzyvee · « **Reply #13 on:** May 01, 2012, 08:14:10 AM »

I've reverse engineered mica's instructions and put the new switch in. :-) Thankfully the new switch has a shorter lever than the standard one so it stands underneath the right angled jack plug when the jackplug swings round so does not pose a risk of breaking by coming into contact with it . . A point worth remembering if you are having any switches near the jack socket.

Jazzy eye

edwin · « **Reply #14 on:** May 01, 2012, 08:34:55 PM »

Another way to get around the broken switch problem is to install a push-onn/push-off switch!

However, it sounds like you've got it sorted.