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Alembic Club » Alembic Basses & Guitars » Archive through June 01, 2011 » My Distillate is now a white noise generator. Help! « Previous Next »

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daved
Junior
Username: daved

Post Number: 19
Registered: 12-2002
Posted on Monday, March 07, 2011 - 10:30 pm:   Edit Post

Recently my Distillate has been making a very loud white noise-ish sound. Sometimes this happens immediately after plugging it in and taking it out of standby mode; other times it only happens after a few minutes of playing. Tonight it was the loudest it has ever been.

It seems to be the loudest when the p/u selector is in the bridge position, but it is definitely loud and present in all 3 p/u positions.

I installed a fresh battery but that did nothing. I tapped on the volume knob and it made a loud thud, as if it had gone microphonic.

I inspected the innards of the control cavity and there "appeared" to be nothing out of place. Everything appears to be connected as it always has been.

I should also mention that the bass's audio is still present and all controls work as they should - there's just this constant whoosh of white noise along with the audio.

Has anyone experienced this? Any ideas how to remedy? Any help is appreciated.

Thanks,

Dave
mike1762
Senior Member
Username: mike1762

Post Number: 774
Registered: 1-2008
Posted on Tuesday, March 08, 2011 - 2:39 am:   Edit Post

My SC was doing the same thing. I "manipulated" the ferrite bead and it hasn't happened since. I have no idea why that worked (the bead is a passive component), but it did!!!
daved
Junior
Username: daved

Post Number: 20
Registered: 12-2002
Posted on Tuesday, March 08, 2011 - 7:57 pm:   Edit Post

Mike,

What is a ferrite bead and where would I find it?

D
skyboltone
Member
Username: skyboltone

Post Number: 59
Registered: 11-2010
Posted on Tuesday, March 08, 2011 - 8:34 pm:   Edit Post

It's a black (usually) donut that wires pass through. Though normally only semi-conductive I suppose it could be effected by making contact with the grounded silver pan that the "innards" live in. Still, I would call the factory and get some more info....seems to me as your local Ham Radio operator that "white noise" appearing from out of nowhere is unlikely. I'm thinking it may be time for a volume control replacement.

(Message edited by skyboltone on March 08, 2011)
artswork99
Moderator
Username: artswork99

Post Number: 1440
Registered: 7-2007
Posted on Tuesday, March 08, 2011 - 8:42 pm:   Edit Post

If there is one in your bass it will be located inside the control cavity
Ferrite Bead
daved
Junior
Username: daved

Post Number: 21
Registered: 12-2002
Posted on Tuesday, March 08, 2011 - 10:03 pm:   Edit Post

Update:

Whilst looking for the ferrite bead (not present) I decided to "manipulate" the p/up leads and it turns out one of them was not seated properly on the little 2 prong connector. After a little gentle jostling, the white noise ceased and I now have my quiet Distillate back. I will email Mica and request a ferrite bead though, just to play it safe.

Thanks, all of you for your input!

Dave

PS: Attached is a photo of her - a fine '83 specimen.my distillate/scorpion
tmoney61092
Senior Member
Username: tmoney61092

Post Number: 682
Registered: 9-2008
Posted on Tuesday, March 08, 2011 - 10:10 pm:   Edit Post

I love it!!!!!! The knobby headstock and heart cut out are beautiful! You should post it in the "showcase" section along with more pics so we can all drool over her ;)

~Taylor
jacko
Senior Member
Username: jacko

Post Number: 2873
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Wednesday, March 09, 2011 - 4:14 am:   Edit Post

beautiful bass dave. She has perfect proportions. Is that one of the new Acoustic rigs? How does it sound?

Graeme
sonicus
Senior Member
Username: sonicus

Post Number: 1666
Registered: 5-2009
Posted on Wednesday, March 09, 2011 - 7:25 am:   Edit Post

Nice Bass
pauldo
Senior Member
Username: pauldo

Post Number: 585
Registered: 6-2006
Posted on Wednesday, March 09, 2011 - 10:25 am:   Edit Post

Beautiful!!!
Makes my Distillate look like a Fender! ;-)

I think I have seen pictures of this bass before (maybe in the showcase area) would love to see more pics (backside, close up of cutout and headstock, etc)
adriaan
Moderator
Username: adriaan

Post Number: 2765
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Wednesday, March 09, 2011 - 3:08 pm:   Edit Post

I bet it's not a new Acoustic rig - where would you find Yamaha-branded woofers these days?

That double-pistol-grip-and-heart-omega-and-knobby-peghead-but-otherwise-mostly-a-Distillate has been posted before, I remember it clearly - otherwise it has a close twin!
daved
Junior
Username: daved

Post Number: 22
Registered: 12-2002
Posted on Wednesday, March 09, 2011 - 7:08 pm:   Edit Post

Thanks, all.

I believe there is another Scorpion/Distillate like this. I saw it on Ebay a few years ago. I was tempted to buy it to give this one some company.

The Acoustic rig is from 1974. I replaced the original speakers about 10 years ago. I plan to get them re-coned and reinstall, someday.
tmoney61092
Senior Member
Username: tmoney61092

Post Number: 684
Registered: 9-2008
Posted on Wednesday, March 09, 2011 - 7:56 pm:   Edit Post

Art, here is the one you are referring to, you can see the difference in the cutout

http://alembic.com/club/messages/411/41195.html?1294311904

also just incase anyone doesn't know, this is referred to as the "Scorpion" body style(wouldn't mind a Series I or II in that shape ;)

~Taylor
darkstar01
Advanced Member
Username: darkstar01

Post Number: 315
Registered: 6-2005
Posted on Wednesday, March 09, 2011 - 8:51 pm:   Edit Post

actually this isn't really the scorpion shape, is it? on most of the scorpion bodies i've seen the upper horn and lower horn are basically identical, sometimes the lower one is just a bit smaller. maybe it's just because this is obviously based on a distillate shape and not a series one.
this one on ebay is more like the other scorpions though. http://cgi.ebay.com/Alembic-Bass-Sadowsky-Fodera-strings-/280642088961?pt=Guitar&hash=item4157927001#ht_500wt_1133

either way, nice bass, dave.
peoplechipper
Advanced Member
Username: peoplechipper

Post Number: 240
Registered: 2-2009
Posted on Sunday, March 13, 2011 - 12:02 am:   Edit Post

Ah, the Distillate/ Acoustic amp combo like me; add a good overdrive pedal and you'll have people genuflect($5 word!!!) before your massive tone...it's worked for me, and sure wasn't my technique...Tony.

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