Author Topic: My New Distillate, LOW volume output...Help Please! (Read 2353 times)

mica · « **Reply #15 on:** May 02, 2006, 05:53:49 PM »

There are only 2 connections from each of the trim pots, so what you describe is normal.

The pickups originally had connectors on them. Sometime since your bass was made, they were clipped off and soldered onto the terminals. Your repair person can recrimp the ends and slide on a new housing. If they don't have the proper crimping tool, you can send us the pickups and we can recrimp the ends.

Here is what you need to do to increase the gain on your Distillate:

ajish4 · « **Reply #16 on:** June 02, 2006, 09:49:00 AM »

Sigh,

Well, just an update:

I ALMOST had my baby back in my hands today, until the luthier did ONE FINAL CHECK after she was assembled again and discovered that the P/U selector switch isn't working correctly!

After taking the switch out, he discovered that a 1.8K resistor was blown on the back of the switch! Sigh..........SO, I'll call Mica and see if I can just get the resistor or the complete switch.

The mod was done with adding of the resistors and the luthier said that there is a very noticeable difference in the sound. He said it is a monster sounding bass! And that was with JUST ONE PICKUP WORKING! I can't wait to get her back!

I'll keep you posted and how she tests out when I get her back.

bigredbass · « **Reply #17 on:** June 02, 2006, 07:39:56 PM »

WHAT other company would go to this trouble for a second-hand bass and the second or third owner to get them up and running?

J o e y

ajish4 · « **Reply #18 on:** June 03, 2006, 12:02:42 PM »

Hey Joey,

How right you are!

I can safely say that NO OTHER COMPANY would do what Alembic has done for me.

I STILL can't get over (and neither can my luthier) how much help Mica is/was with the advice on how to imporve the output by adding the resistors. THEN, taking the time to send a schematic AND photo's with arrow's as to where the new resistors go!

I spoke to Mica yesterday, and AGAIN she took the time to help me out on the phone advising me what to do next to correct the p/u selector switch!

Mica sold me for life. My next bass will be a new Alembic custom. How could you not want to give something back to a company as unique and helpful as Alembic. It's up to us to support them and let them know that their way of doing business is GREATLY appreciated!

spliffy · « **Reply #19 on:** June 05, 2006, 05:15:53 AM »

Hey Tony, glad to hear that your bass is working great. She is beautiful.
What did Mica tell you about the pickup selector? My Distillate pickup selector is not working either. Well it goes from off to on, but there is no difference between any of the other positions!

Thanks

Al

ajish4 · « **Reply #20 on:** June 05, 2006, 06:57:50 PM »

Hi AL,

Mica said they have the pickup selector IN STOCK for $65.00. The best part, NO SOLDERING required! It is PRE-WIRED so all you have to do is plug in the connector and you're ready to go!

Glad to hear from another Distillate owner. There doesn't seem to be too many of us out here!
Tony

mica · « **Reply #21 on:** June 05, 2006, 07:01:53 PM »

It's prewired - but only on the switch end. You still need to solder the wires on the board. But it does save the most tedious work on the small terminals, and we do all the nice shrink tubing as well.

ajish4 · « **Reply #22 on:** June 05, 2006, 07:47:38 PM »

Thanks Mica for clearing that up! I obviously misunderstood what you had said.

I'm still waiting for my luthier to let me know what he wants me to do as far as the switch. He's going to try to make the repair. If he can't manage to get it to work, I'll have to order one myself.

THANK YOU again for all the help!

(Message edited by ajish4 on June 05, 2006)

David Houck · « **Reply #23 on:** June 05, 2006, 07:56:31 PM »

Al; are both pickups working?

spliffy · « **Reply #24 on:** June 06, 2006, 05:10:14 AM »

Hey Tony, it does look like us Distillate owners are a small group. I think that is another reason why I love mine!
If I remember correctly when I took out the electronics for the upgrade, the pickup selector wires did not need to be soldered back in. I think they were attached by sliding a little plastic thing on (similar to the pickup hook ups).. I will check and let you know.
Dave, I think both pickups are working, I have not had the time to unhook each pick up and and test. I think because I do not use her that much, it is not so much of a priority besides at this point, she sounds great anyway. I will try do some tesing and let you know..

Thanks
Al

ajish4 · « **Reply #25 on:** June 07, 2006, 07:56:05 PM »

Hey AL,

Yeah, it appears that there are only a few of us!

I sure hope you get the situation with the switch corrected soon.

I did have to order the switch after all. I called Alembic today and it is being shipped directly to the luthier. If all goes well, I'll have her back late NEXT WEEK!

When it's complete, I'll take some fresh pictures for the showcase section!

spliffy · « **Reply #26 on:** June 09, 2006, 08:49:35 AM »

OK, so I am totally embarassed.
Last night I plugged in the Distillate and opened up the cavity and unplugged one pickup... I can hear.
Plugged it in again and did the same for the other pickup.... Nothing. No Sound. So it appears that all this time I have been playing using one pickup. Unfortunately I did not have a chance to change the pickup connectors to ensure I do not have a dead pickup, but I will do that this weekend and then if I get sound out of the other pickup, I will call Mica or Val and order a new pickup selector switch.
In the mean time words truely cannot describe what an idiot I feel like! On the plus side I cannot wait to hear how the bass really should sound like.

dumbass!

olieoliver · « **Reply #27 on:** June 09, 2006, 08:59:47 AM »

Don't be too hard on yourself Albert (is that pronounced dumb-BASS or Red Forman's nick name for Eric) sometimes we all overlook the simple solutions. I'm glad that you've found the problem. You might even look at the plug to make sure the female connector isn't being pushed back in the plug by the male pin. This happened to me on my Burl Mk when I put the electx's back after a RF upgrade.

spliffy · « **Reply #28 on:** June 09, 2006, 09:12:14 AM »

Hi Olie, I refer to Eric Forman's nick name... what a great show!
Anyway, I will look at the plug too. thanks for that insight.

Al

olieoliver · « **Reply #29 on:** June 09, 2006, 09:18:14 AM »

YEP, I love that show. Spent my entire teens in the seventies. We didn't have the circle though, ours was the Camaro. The best years of my life, right up until 79 when I got married at the ripe old age of 17 (just kidding dear). LOL