Author Topic: Series I Guitar Controls (Read 736 times)

lbpesq · « **Reply #15 on:** May 27, 2009, 06:34:54 AM »

Jazzyvee:

You might want to check with Bayou Cables. I don't remember how much he charges, but IIRC it is reasonable. He made me a purple cord (I know it's mine and I never forget it) that has worked fine for the two years or so that I've had it.

Bill, tgo

JimmyJ · « **Reply #16 on:** May 27, 2009, 02:06:44 PM »

JV,

Yes, Neutrik and Swichcraft 5-pin connectors are supposed to be compatible. I've changed all my cables, basses and power supplies over to Neutrik so if you're feeling particularly productive you could switch out the lot...

I'm still using some old stock of Belden 8424 I have so I don't know how it works with Canare or other wire. You need 4 conductors in a shield (screen) and the shield connects to pin-1 on both ends.

As a self-taught soldering guy I don't have any legit advice to offer but I can think of one pointer I discovered through trial and error... When soldering on either plug I would suggest inserting the partner at least part way to help keep the pins aligned should things get too hot. Just a habit I got into after making a cable once where the pins had moved because I had melted the nylon component holding them in place. See, I only know enough to get myself into trouble!

Also, check very carefully to be sure there was no solder overflow between adjacent pins, tolerances are tight in that small space. Best to use a continuity checker to be sure the pin numbers match up on both ends (mirror images) BEFORE you plug in the instrument.

Good luck!
Jimmy J

jazzyvee · « **Reply #17 on:** May 27, 2009, 04:27:32 PM »

Thanks Jim, glad to have that confirmation about the connectors. I'm planning to make up a spare cable and probably have a go at making a smaller psu that I can carry inside my guitar case. I found a circuit on the forum somewhere and downloaded it. It seems quite a simple circuit.

I'm a bit of an old hand with a soldering Iron, I was an electrician in my much younger days.
jazzyvee

JimmyJ · « **Reply #18 on:** May 28, 2009, 10:49:03 AM »

jazzyvee,

In that case pardon my elementary suggestions and please send ME some pointers!

The original DS-5 power supplies were 4.5x5x2 inches, small enough to fit the case. As you say, a simple circuit which I'm sure you could build from scratch. I have also made a few alternative supplies using pre-made +&- 15v SOLA linear supplies like this:
http://www.solaheviduty.com/products/powersupplies/scl.htm
I suspect Farnell sells them over there.

Happy soldering!
Jimmy J

811952 · « **Reply #19 on:** May 28, 2009, 06:27:51 PM »

My DS-5 is kludged together from a sony camera power supply, as the original one was stolen...

John

jazzyvee · « **Reply #20 on:** June 08, 2009, 06:17:20 AM »

Ever since I got my Dragon, the PSU has been very noisy. When I plug in leads from the ouputs to my amplifier/ or two. There is a loud 50HZ mains hum. This happens whether the PSU is turned on or off, both in mono or stereo. But gets much louder when the PSU is turned on.

It gets a bit louder still when the series cable is connected to the guitar, even with the pickup switch in the off position.

However when the guitar is used on the battery and a standard jack plug to the amp, the whole thing is silent. So I think it must be something gone astray in the PSU.

I plan to open the case soon to see what is wrong. As usual, any learned advice would be helpful.

Jazzyvee

sonicus · « **Reply #21 on:** June 08, 2009, 10:39:02 AM »

What you are describing seems to point perhaps to a ground and/or shielding issue associated the circuits that you mention.Does this also occur when the power supply in in connection to your amplifiers with out the 5 pin cable connected? I would try all possible variable of connections again and trace and isolate the problem. I would also check the continuity of the 5 pin cable one conductor at a time .If you can substitute another 5 pin cable perhaps that. Many times filter capacitors are at fault for AC hum but it sounds like you are describing a faulty connection or shielding issue. Some times also EMF/RF problems might be worse in different locations in the same building.Other possibilities can also be improper polarity of the AC wiring . In the U.S.A. I have seen problems with HOT/NEUTRAL/GROUND miss-configurations at the power source that can lead to problems of mixed variety .

jazzyvee · « **Reply #22 on:** June 08, 2009, 12:35:58 PM »

The problem still exists without the 5 pin cable connected. It just gets louder when the 5 pin is connected. I don't have a spare 5 pin cable to check against at the moment but I'm sourcing parts to make up my own.

I notice that the 110v mains cable that came with the PSU has 3 pins. I have changed the voltage slider switch on the back to the 230v option on the back of the unit which would be fine for the UK.

Usually we have a 3 pin plug with an earth. I've not checked the inside of the PSU to see if the earth connection is actually connected to the casing.

Thanks for your input I will try to get the back off tomorrow and have a look inside.
Jazzyvee

JimmyJ · « **Reply #23 on:** June 08, 2009, 05:24:43 PM »

Jazzyvee,

How strange that the PSU is not agreeing with your amp. I presume you've tried physically moving it about? It's possible the amp it is sitting on or the rack piece it is mounted next to (if it's in a rack) is simply inducing the hum. Same holds for the short jumpers from PSU to the amp's input, make sure they are not the culprit.

Does kind of sound like an AC power disagreement though. Over here we would try a ground lift and maybe even reverse the AC polarity but at 230v I don't think you're allowed to mess with it like that.

Sometimes an unterminated 5-pin cable will make some noise but with the bass connected and the pickup selector in the off position it should all be dead quiet as that is essentially shorting the bass's audio outputs.

Let us know what you find. I know you know what you're doing but be careful in there, don't do this work on the roof during a lightning storm.
Jimmy J

georgie_boy · « **Reply #24 on:** June 09, 2009, 03:05:03 AM »

Jazzy.
I had a problem once with my DS5.
I sent it to Chris Ward at the Bass Centre in London....there's not much he doesn't know about Alembic Series instruments. He was JE's guitar guru at the time

George

georgie_boy · « **Reply #25 on:** June 09, 2009, 03:44:54 AM »

His number is:
0207 3577703

jazzyvee · « **Reply #26 on:** June 09, 2009, 11:58:15 PM »

I managed to take the back off and.... it was interesting to see all the unoccupied space in there and the few bits of wire and components. It is a really big sturdy box for such a simple device.

Anyway, I couldn't see anything amiss there no signs of overheating or dry joints.
So i just to be sure I got my soldering iron out and freshened up the the soldered joints in the AC only side of the circuit. As a result everything has has now gone significantly quieter. I've now tried the guitar with both the PSU and without and there is a minor bit of mains hum but that is probably more from the amp/cable than anything else and there is no difference between when the pickup on and off positions so that seems to be a good sign.

I will try it in my valve amp later as they seem to be less forgiving about hum.

Well I shall give it a go for a while and see how things pan out.
Thanks for your help.

Jazzyvee

sonicus · « **Reply #27 on:** June 10, 2009, 12:52:24 AM »

Excellent . Well then perhaps you have solved the problem. ultimately instead of connections to an amplifier one could trace the audio signal path with test probes connected to an oscilloscope to find where the AC hum enters the circuit.(without an audio signal connected) One must be careful how ever and not create any dead shorts to the ac power.I would be curious about checking the internal connections to the 5 pin if the problem persists. I am happy for your success .

jazzyvee · « **Reply #28 on:** June 10, 2009, 03:13:11 AM »

I'm hoping it is cured but time will tell if the problem is solved or has other components to it within the circuit.
Jazzyvee

jazzyvee · « **Reply #29 on:** July 21, 2009, 12:41:35 PM »

Hmm, I'm back to square one. The hum is back same as before and noticeable when using either the PSU or the jack socket on the guitar also although not as loud with just the jack socket.

HELP!!
Is this the Way of the Dragon?

Jazzyvee :-(