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Alembic Club » Owning an Alembic » Troubleshooting » Archive through March 08, 2009 » Pickup lead broken on Series I Bridge pickup « Previous Next »

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attmann
Junior
Username: attmann

Post Number: 22
Registered: 4-2006
Posted on Wednesday, November 26, 2008 - 12:25 pm:   Edit Post

Hi everyone,
I got this beautiful Series I Point Body in March '08. I've had experienced a funny behaviour of the bridge pickup ever since. All of a sudden the sound would thin out with tremendous amount of buzz.
The lead and connectors inside the cavity would get very microphonic (just like an instrument cable being plugged into an amp with no bass connected).
Strange enough the problem would sometimes go away when disconnecting/reconnecting the pickup to the preamp card.After working properly for a while it would come back again(preferably on the more important gigs). Searching the preamp card for bad soldering spots(even detecting some and refreshing some, then even replacing the FET)did not fix the problem permanently.
Now today I think I finally found the real trouble source: the pickup lead is broken. It is most likely broken just where it joins the pickup's epoxy...Moving it a little makes the meter read open then all of a sudden it will come back to life with its proper 3.24 KOhm...

Now here's my question: How deep can I work my way inside the pickup - with a dremel tool - in order to solder a new lead to the old root part at a point where it's not breaky and rotten.
Does anyone have experience and suggestions? I remember reading a post on the forum dealing with exactly this issue but cannot find it no more.
Thanks everyone!
terryc
Senior Member
Username: terryc

Post Number: 633
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Thursday, November 27, 2008 - 1:44 am:   Edit Post

Would it be more prudent to send it to Alembic?
It could be a difficult repair and it could end in destroying the pick up altogether.
If Moca picks this thread up she will give you the best advice or you could contact Alembic direct.
terryc
Senior Member
Username: terryc

Post Number: 634
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Thursday, November 27, 2008 - 1:46 am:   Edit Post

It could be a difficult repair and you could end up destroying the pick up.
If Mica see this thread she may offer the best advice or maybe contact Alembic directly
lmiwa
Intermediate Member
Username: lmiwa

Post Number: 119
Registered: 2-2008
Posted on Thursday, November 27, 2008 - 8:04 am:   Edit Post

It's a really small part that's easily mailed. If it were me, I would phone first, then send it home and let the parents fix it!
attmann
Junior
Username: attmann

Post Number: 23
Registered: 4-2006
Posted on Thursday, November 27, 2008 - 5:12 pm:   Edit Post

Thanks for your advice. I actually discussed the issue with Mr. Wickersham on the phone in the meantime. Accordingly I ordered a new pickup as plan B in case I should fail to dig in below the unhealthy part. Status report for now is: I "dremeled" around the lead about 2mm deep and made a brave CUT!!! I found the shielding wire was totally breaky in the area. Lucky enough I still was able to find a few valid wires. A littly tricky but finally I soldered the original lead(previously cut off) to the "root". I have no idea how long this connection will last but at least it works for now.
terryc
Senior Member
Username: terryc

Post Number: 637
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Monday, December 01, 2008 - 3:18 am:   Edit Post

Well attman I guess you had nothing to lose since you ordered a backup and it was a challenge I would have tried as well.
Hope it all works out

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