Alembic europa

[mumra]

Hallo to everyone. I have an 1991 alemnbic Europa bass 4 string. Suddenly I noticed that the sound is different. I change the batteries but nothing changes. I run it through an ampeg svt 4 pro and svt 410he. I have the same settings like before. I think  that I can't hear the punch and the MIDs that I hear in the past.does anyone have the same problem in the past?

[adriaan]

First thing to do is elimination: plug in another bass, use a different cable, remove any effects (in front of rig or in fx loop), plug the Europa into a different rig. Does your amp have a pad button for active basses? Now you know if it's the bass or something else.

[jazzyvee]

I had that problem with my Europa a few years ago although it was intermittent and the problem was the output jack socket on the bass. The problem was worse with a straight jack compared to an angled jack. Fortunately one kind forum member had a spare switchcraft jack replacement socket for an europa and posted it to me FOC. I changed it and all is back to normal.    
 
One other thing to check is the jack cable you are using, I've found that not all jacks plugs fit these switchcraft sockets securely and some, like planet waves straight and fender custom shop angled tend to get pushed back out slowly but the sound goes thin before it disappears.

[mumra]

thanks for the replies. Now i used an angled jack but i check it with a straight jack and nothing changed. I think i have a spare output jack. I will change it. The sound is very different. If i heard that sound when i bought it , i wouldn't buy it. So something happens, cause I used to love the sound of my europa. I also play with an aria pro II sb black n gold II. The first thinking is that i stack in my ears the mid/tremble sound of the aria pro and now the europa sounds very bass tone to me. But this not the only think. The sound is so monotone. I hope to fix the problem the output jack.

[StephenR]

I was recently searching around the club forums for info about the Europa. I am pretty sure I saw one post from Mica where she mentions that the jacks on this particular model tend to wear out and need to be replaced every 5-6 years. So... you may be on the right track.

[mumra]

Thanks stephenr . the model is 1991 although the previous owner didn't use it very much

[xlrogue6]

Deep panel jacks like the Switchcraft 152B on your Europa tend to require replacement more frequently than other types of jack. (The Switchcraft is the most robust of its kind, in my experience.) Using an angled plug definitely helps extend the life of the jack. 5-6 years is pretty much the maximum service life of these jacks in an instrument used with any regularity. Another thing to check is the battery lead, especially if you've had any batteries get leaky. I had one in my fretless Rogue go--there was no leakage into the battery compartment but corrosion traveled the entire length of the negative battery lead.

[mumra]

Thanks xlroque6. I am very happy with my alembic but I think that is not good for a bass like alembic and for the cost of them to use jacks that you have to change them every 5-6 years. That's my opinion. I used to have a 300$ ibanez with a lot of beers and scars on it ( I was a teenagers some years ago he he) and the jack still plays like the first time.although if this is true I think that alembic had to send a new jack for free in every person that had problem. I said again if this is true (about the lifetime of the jacks)

[mica]

You've got a 1991 Europa, and it features the nicest barrel-type jack available at the time, a Switchcraft. This part is made with a modular connector because even though it's the nicest barrel type jack, it's not as nice as we would like and we realize it will wear out. Replacement jacks are available for $15 prewired or 2 for $25.  
 
We use a different connector now, a long-frame jack. These are the same as were used in old telephone switchboards! They have a chunk of welded palladium for the contact and they are rated for like 500,000 or 1,000,000 insertions, I forget. Anyway, it's probably longer than my lifetime!
 
Sadly, the new jack isn't able to be retrofitted to your bass - it's longer internally (lots!) and the mounting hole is a smaller diameter. But really glad to hear your bass got 23 years out of the jack.
 
P.S. Some of the premium cables with gold plating are larger than a 1/4 diameter (!) so if you are using a gold plated connector, do check that the diameter doesn't exceed .250

[mumra]

Thanks a lot mica for your answer. I will check somehow of the problem is the jack and i will contact as soon as possible.

[mumra]

Hallo Mica.I have send you an email about the switchcraft.

[mumra]

thanks for all MICA.I receive the jacks.I will replace it.
Keep make awesome basses