Author Topic: Big problems for BIGYOUTH in France (Read 536 times)

georgie_boy · « **on:** June 26, 2009, 05:27:15 AM »

Hi everyone!!
I've been speaking with Bigyouth in France recently, as he speaks very little English, and I speak French.
He has this problem.............He was playing his 83 Series 1, when he heard a buzz from the bass
Unacceptable to all of us , so what does he do?? Sends the card back to Alembic for a Makeover!
The buzz was still there!!
So.the problem isn't the card...so he sends to Alembic for a new pickup...........problem still the same!!
It moves when he moves, but the other pickup seems to be fine!
NOT an Alembic problem, but if anyone has any ideas on this, I'd/we be gratefull
If you speak French then contact Mehdi directly........or just contact me!!
Hope to solve this prob that may affect all older Series owners
G

adriaan · « **Reply #1 on:** June 26, 2009, 05:45:51 AM »

Did Mehdi try different location, different rig, etc.? Problem could even be in the DS-R5 - easily tested by running on batteries.

(Message edited by adriaan on June 26, 2009)

David Houck · « **Reply #2 on:** June 26, 2009, 05:55:51 AM »

Let's start from the top.

Turn the selector switch to the neck pickup. Is the buzz there?

Turn the selector switch to the bridge pickup. Is the buzz there?

georgie_boy · « **Reply #3 on:** June 26, 2009, 10:53:39 AM »

I'll try all these with him.
Thanks guys!
G

(Message edited by georgie_boy on June 26, 2009)

jos · « **Reply #4 on:** June 26, 2009, 11:21:06 AM »

I have had some hum/noise/buzz problems in the past with my Series II. It was tereble on a sound check just too much noise. I did soleve the problem for that gig by usin batteries and not the DS5 and everything was OK.
Its also good to check the bass in a studio. If everything is quiet there then the bass is OK. Also remember to check the trimmers behind the bass because they also causes noise if they are set wrongly. Alembic basses have single coil pickups??.

georgie_boy · « **Reply #5 on:** June 27, 2009, 08:39:10 AM »

Just waiting for him to get back to me on these suggestions.
Thankyou for your help!

George

(Message edited by georgie_boy on June 27, 2009)

jazzyvee · « **Reply #6 on:** June 27, 2009, 10:55:02 AM »

I had a bad buzz from my series I guitar recently and using the jack it was quiet. I opened the back of the DS5 and re-soldered the connections on the mains side of the circuit and it has been quiet ever since.

Jazzyvee

georgie_boy · « **Reply #7 on:** June 28, 2009, 02:27:20 AM »

Mehdi has told me that the same problem exists even when using batteries.
He now thinks that it could be the connections on the hum canceller. He's going to have that looked at , and report back to me.

George

David Houck · « **Reply #8 on:** June 28, 2009, 02:31:56 PM »

Have him plug a pair of headphones into the quarter inch jack. Can he hear the buzz in the headphones?

georgie_boy · « **Reply #9 on:** June 29, 2009, 02:38:40 AM »

Just curious?
What would that reveal?

David Houck · « **Reply #10 on:** June 29, 2009, 09:54:38 AM »

That the problem is not in the bass.

georgie_boy · « **Reply #11 on:** June 29, 2009, 10:38:22 AM »

He's due to e mail me shortly.
i told hom to try this yesterday, so I'll keep you posted.
Thanks David!
George

terryc · « **Reply #12 on:** July 02, 2009, 01:16:19 AM »

Buzz usually is earth(grounding) or inductance from lights particulary fluoro's.
Check plug in amp, earth lift, speaker connections, if batteries then check lead.
One easy way is to open the back of the bass and touch the ground connection, if it get louder then it's the earth.

georgie_boy · « **Reply #13 on:** July 02, 2009, 02:28:28 AM »

Still waiting to hear back from him, but thanks everyone. He says he's tried all the usual stuff, so I'll report the headphone result ASAP

George

georgie_boy · « **Reply #14 on:** July 07, 2009, 01:10:29 PM »

Well....it seems he put his bass into a local guy,who touched the strings and, at the same time, touched the solder points on the pots.
Seems that the Buzz went away!!
He'll pickup the bass tomorrow and get back to me.
Seems that the Earth to the Bridge is not connected properly!
Will get back to the forum tomorrow with the results..yet I thought Series electronics didn't need to be earthed to the bridge.
An expensive lesson.......new pickup, and the preamp card sent to Alembic for a check over!!
Still!..till tomorrow!