Stolen DS-5 Log Out | Topics | Search
Moderators | Register | Edit Profile

Alembic Club » Owning an Alembic » Troubleshooting » Archive through February 17, 2014 » Stolen DS-5 « Previous Next »

Author Message
iruddle
New
Username: iruddle

Post Number: 1
Registered: 12-2007
Posted on Saturday, March 10, 2012 - 11:59 am:   Edit Post

Help.. the DS-5 (the original blue box) from my 1978 Series II disappeared from my baggage during a flight. I desparately need to find a substitute way of connecting my bass - and i do need the 18v supply unfortunately. Has anyone had to build or cobble together something to replace the DS-5? thanks, Ian
sonicus
Senior Member
Username: sonicus

Post Number: 2359
Registered: 5-2009
Posted on Saturday, March 10, 2012 - 3:02 pm:   Edit Post

Hello and welcome.
Buy a new one from ALEMBIC to protect your vintage work of ART !!! be safe( DO NOT COBBLE ___LOL!)


My first recommendation would be to contact Alembic and purchase a new DS5R rack version. I believe that a new crop of little DS5's might be on the way .

If you want to build a power supply you will need some soldering and electronic repair bench skill's . You can build it from scratch or you can use an encapsulated type of regulated power supply module such as I did when I replaced the one in my IN-2 .
A safe range is +/- 15to20 VDC Aprox.350 to 500mA ( but there have been variations) . A bipolar voltage DC service source is required ; +/- DC voltage.
This is the 5 PIN pinout
1) GROUND
2)Neck pickup
3)Bridge pickup
4)+ volts
5)-volts
jimmyj
Advanced Member
Username: jimmyj

Post Number: 356
Registered: 8-2008
Posted on Saturday, March 10, 2012 - 3:56 pm:   Edit Post

Sorry to hear about that Ian, what a drag. Can you tell us the serial number of your '78? (We all dig the details in here.)

You can also kludge together a pretty good +/- 18v supply out of a pile of 9v batteries. In series, two 9v = 18v. Continue the same series with two more 9v and the point at the center becomes 0 with +18 in one direction and -18 in the other. Then if you want any life out of it you can do the same again with 4 more batteries and wire that set in parallel with the first (so the voltage doesn't change but the current available does). If you wanted to go wireless with a Series instrument with the LEDs you could use this method. The back of your strap would look like an ammo belt with batteries, transmitter, etc... which could get a bit heavy ... but it would work.

Good luck,
Jimmy J
sonicus
Senior Member
Username: sonicus

Post Number: 2360
Registered: 5-2009
Posted on Saturday, March 10, 2012 - 4:30 pm:   Edit Post

Jimmy , that's really a cool battery arrangement. I enjoy your innovations ,including going directly to a power amp from a Series I/II Alembic instrument .
cozmik_cowboy
Senior Member
Username: cozmik_cowboy

Post Number: 1174
Registered: 10-2006
Posted on Saturday, March 10, 2012 - 5:16 pm:   Edit Post

If you do want to build, Ian, you can find a schematic in this thread.

Peter
fc_spoiler
Senior Member
Username: fc_spoiler

Post Number: 1338
Registered: 5-2006
Posted on Saturday, March 10, 2012 - 7:18 pm:   Edit Post

"The back of your strap would look like an ammo belt with batteries, transmitter, etc... which could get a bit heavy ... but it would work"

Like Jason Newsted (Metallica) in the early 90's:

edwin
Senior Member
Username: edwin

Post Number: 1144
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Sunday, March 11, 2012 - 9:08 pm:   Edit Post

I've built a few of them. The hardest part is punching all the holes in the box and getting everything laid out well. As usual when working with AC, be very careful, touch the work only with insulated tools and/or one hand at a time.

That's a very odd thing to be taken from your luggage.
terryc
Senior Member
Username: terryc

Post Number: 1796
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Monday, March 12, 2012 - 6:45 am:   Edit Post

Do you think the airline authorities assumed it to be threatening?? What would anyone want a DS-5 for unless the thief owned a SI/II!
sonicus
Senior Member
Username: sonicus

Post Number: 2362
Registered: 5-2009
Posted on Monday, March 12, 2012 - 7:58 am:   Edit Post

A metal box with wires and parts ; transformer& full bridge rectifier and the filter caps are cylindrical , perhaps to someone who does NOT know what they are looking at it could look like a threatening device. If this has been the case it is another SAD and ridiculous case of lack of training and flawed procedure .The owner should of at least have been questioned. I once had to dismantle my Trumpet in front of "THE" authorities to prove that it was not a threat! REALY,_____ this really happened to me, they even wiped down the individual parts for testing and used electronic sensory equipment looking for dangerous "what ever".
artswork99
Moderator
Username: artswork99

Post Number: 1684
Registered: 7-2007
Posted on Monday, March 12, 2012 - 8:08 pm:   Edit Post

Wolf, they must had seen the movie Eagle Eye ;)

Welcome to the forum Ian! Sorry to hear about the mishap. Hope the link to the diagram that Peter posted helped (for the cobbler). We'd love to see your '78 bass, always good to see the beauties of the past. The showcase Series II section is a great place to put some photos. Play it Healthy! Art

Topics | Last Day | Last Week | Tree View | Search | Help/Instructions | Program Credits Administration