Broken Pickup Selector Log Out | Topics | Search
Moderators | Register | Edit Profile

Alembic Club » Owning an Alembic » Troubleshooting » Archive through June 11, 2010 » Broken Pickup Selector « Previous Next »

Author Message
hb3
Advanced Member
Username: hb3

Post Number: 381
Registered: 2-2005
Posted on Wednesday, June 17, 2009 - 6:34 pm:   Edit Post

It just spins.

Ack!
hb3
Advanced Member
Username: hb3

Post Number: 382
Registered: 2-2005
Posted on Wednesday, June 17, 2009 - 6:48 pm:   Edit Post

Ok, here's how this one went down: I'm looking at my bass, thinking, 'Hm, haven't used the pickup selector in awhile...' Reach down and begin twisting the pickup selector. 'Hmm, that feels pretty weird.' Next thing I know, it's spinning in a circle.

I mean, what the shit?
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 6185
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Wednesday, June 17, 2009 - 7:13 pm:   Edit Post

When it's spinning, are you changing positions? I mean, is it clicking as you spin or not. Trying to see if it is really the switch or just the knob. You need a .050" hex driver (2 set screws) to check the knob is seated properly.

Could also be the nut that holds the bushing of the pot in place. Check that too, especially if you are not clicking as you spin.

Also, don't spin around - you don't want to stress the wiring inside (take a peek in there to see that it isn't all coiled up around the terminals).
hb3
Advanced Member
Username: hb3

Post Number: 383
Registered: 2-2005
Posted on Wednesday, June 17, 2009 - 7:38 pm:   Edit Post

Yeah, it's the switch spinning, and it's not clicking. It clicked a few times -- then it stopped clicking. So it just spins, but spinning in one direction tightens it.
hb3
Advanced Member
Username: hb3

Post Number: 384
Registered: 2-2005
Posted on Wednesday, June 17, 2009 - 7:48 pm:   Edit Post

Took a peek inside...the wires were starting to wrap around, but not that bad. I guess that's what the "tightening" feeling was. But the whole unit feels loose in there -- like a bushing or a nut or something.
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 8197
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Wednesday, June 17, 2009 - 8:01 pm:   Edit Post

If the wires were wrapping around, then the whole thing was spinning, and the nut probably needs to be tightened.

Loosen the two set screws with the Allen wrench Mica mentioned. Be very careful not to let them fall out; they are very small and are easily lost. Once the set screws are loose, you can pull the knob off the shaft. With the knob off, you can, carefully, tighten the nut that secures the pot to the body. You might want to put a cloth between the wrench and the body to prevent scratching. It might take a couple tries to get it back in the right position so that the knob points where you want it to point when it's in the "both" position.
hb3
Advanced Member
Username: hb3

Post Number: 385
Registered: 2-2005
Posted on Wednesday, June 17, 2009 - 8:16 pm:   Edit Post

Thanks, I'll check it out. Yes, it looks like the whole thing was spinning.
hb3
Advanced Member
Username: hb3

Post Number: 386
Registered: 2-2005
Posted on Wednesday, June 17, 2009 - 8:39 pm:   Edit Post

Success!

Now that's some great service.
chalie_holmes
Member
Username: chalie_holmes

Post Number: 85
Registered: 3-2009
Posted on Thursday, June 18, 2009 - 5:17 am:   Edit Post

Yay! Happy! Happy! Joy! Joy!
Happy ending!!!!!!!
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 8199
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Thursday, June 18, 2009 - 10:15 am:   Edit Post

Congrats!
olieoliver
Senior Member
Username: olieoliver

Post Number: 2509
Registered: 2-2006
Posted on Thursday, June 18, 2009 - 10:19 am:   Edit Post

I've been guilty of this before....

...having a screw loose.....LOL

OO
At least that's what my wife tells me!
georgie_boy
Senior Member
Username: georgie_boy

Post Number: 800
Registered: 8-2005
Posted on Thursday, June 18, 2009 - 10:54 am:   Edit Post

I'll second that Olie!!

G
hb3
Advanced Member
Username: hb3

Post Number: 387
Registered: 2-2005
Posted on Thursday, June 18, 2009 - 2:08 pm:   Edit Post

That was rapidly becoming an Existential crisis -- "Whatever man touches, he destroys."

Thanks for the helpful intervention.

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