| Author | Message | ||
| room037
Member Username: room037 Post Number: 70 Registered: 9-2003 |
Hi there, I am in process of purchase "Hyak guitar". But it has some troubles. 1: Not functioning rear Volume. When the knob turns on full, the sound is OK. But volume is not reduced until half, and suddenly cut out over the point. May be it needs new volume pot. 2: Not functioning front filter. It is functioning like passive tone. But all 3 position of Q SW are same. Does this trouble due to Q sw, or another part ? Who knows how can I do about these trouble ? Please salvage the rare piece. | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 2818 Registered: 5-2002 |
Have you checked all the connections inside the control cavity? Are any of the components in the control cavity shorting out against the shielding? I can't recall, does the Hyak have a stereo jack; and if so are you using a stereo cable? Have you "exercised" the pots, turning them back and forth thirty or so times? | ||
| adriaan
Senior Member Username: adriaan Post Number: 681 Registered: 6-2002 |
Well it isn't an Alembic, so I wouldn't be surprised if it IS a passive tone, and if the switch is for something else than Q ... Hyaks are considered fine instruments - Alembic didn't mind restoring one in recent years, search this forum - though there seems to be some concern about the necks. | ||
| room037
Member Username: room037 Post Number: 71 Registered: 9-2003 |
Wow! Super fast responce ! Yes, I checked through DS-5R to mono jack. Hyak has filter with Q sw for each PU, just like Alembic. Now the front filter is functioning LIKE passive filter. This is the trouble. I know Robert's Hyak restoring report. I think the work was done for wood work (build in the truss rod and refinishing work). I don't know how about the electronic repair. | ||
| room037
Member Username: room037 Post Number: 72 Registered: 9-2003 |
This is the circuit board. It was on eBay at Oct. 2005. The OP amp is assembled direct to the board. This circuit was cut off from Q sw.  | ||
| dela217
Senior Member Username: dela217 Post Number: 561 Registered: 6-2002 |
I had a very similar problem with one of my Hyaks. The filter on the neck pickup was acting like a passive tone control. What it ended up being for me was a cold solder joint on one of them little blue capacitors. Give those little guys a wiggle and see if they are attached firmly. It worked for me. I gotta see some pictures of this guitar!!! Michael | ||
| room037
Member Username: room037 Post Number: 73 Registered: 9-2003 |
Hi Michael, Thank you for your suggestion. I will ask the technician. I wish to show the picture, when I get it. Eiji | ||
| slapbass
Member Username: slapbass Post Number: 74 Registered: 3-2005 |
I had the same problem with both of my Hyaks. Same result cold solder joints fixed them. I just re-soldered the whole circuit on both basses. I second the pictures. Dale | ||
| room037
Member Username: room037 Post Number: 74 Registered: 9-2003 |
Thanks Dale, I got the sound "The trouble is not so serious". Re-solderd is best way, that I think too. I afraided OP amp trouble. Eiji | ||
| bassilator
Junior Username: bassilator Post Number: 14 Registered: 5-2004 |
Hi Eiji, First, let me clear up at any speculation about my Hyak's neck. Yes, over time, many Hyak instruments had neck problems. However, I owned five Hyak basses and not one of them had neck problems, so my experience is very positive. Just to be sure though (since I was spending quite a bit of money), at Valentino's suggestion, I decided to go ahead with the truss rod. The instrument was already apart and the truss rod would ensure no problems in the future. If you are confident that the guitar you are looking at has a good neck, then I wouldn't worry about needing a truss rod. If the neck is warped or seems to have other problems, then you might consider adding the truss rod. Consider changing the size of your strings. On a neck with a truss rod, you simply make an adjustment. Without a truss rod, you may experience tonal problems until the neck "settles-in". The Hyak you saw restored still has the original electronics and they work great. In your case I have two suggestions-- have Alembic troubleshoot and fix them, or replace them with similar Alembic electronics. Hyak electronics function identically to Alembic Series 1 electronics but are self-contained and built more like the electronics in the Alembic Custom Signature basses . In fact, I think the Custom Signature electronics will drop into your Hyak. The only thing you will lose is the power supply, but Ron could easily add that circuitry. Make sure you get the guitar version of the electronics. I guess the most important suggestion I have is to work directly with the Alembic if you decide to purchase the guitar. Hyak basses are essentially Series I basses in looks and construction. Since Hyak is no longer in business, the people who know the bass best are at Alembic. I'm sorry I can't help you troubleshoot the problems you indicated on your guitar. My electronics knowledge allowed me to make a bunch of power supplies for my Hyaks but nothing more exciting. The Hyak electronics are active, not passive. I believe the circuitry is asymmetrical. I've forgotten a bit of terminology. Again, just think Series I (for operation). All of the Hyak instruments I have seen (with the exception of one) required a guitar cable with a mono (normal guitar 1/4) plug on one end and a stereo (TRS) 1/4 plug on the other end. The stereo connector plugged into the instrument and a mono connector plugged into the amp. If you use a normal mono guitar cord on both ends, the neck pickup will not work. Only the bridge pickup wold work. I believe Dela217 could verify this for you. Sorry I couldn't be of more help. Rob | ||
| room037
Member Username: room037 Post Number: 75 Registered: 9-2003 |
Thanks, Bob ! I will try to repair. If it is difficult, I will try optional circuit "Alembicised". I always play Alembic basses, and I am interested Alembic related basses (Hyak, BecVar). I hope to get these basses. How many build up Hyak basses ? I love the classical scroll body style! Eiji | ||
| bassilator
Junior Username: bassilator Post Number: 15 Registered: 5-2004 |
yeah, the scroll was pretty cool. The company made around 200 instruments. | ||
| room037
Member Username: room037 Post Number: 78 Registered: 9-2003 |
I got latest info. about my Gtr. Re-soldering was done successfully ! Thanks for your suggestion. I will get it in the next few days. Eiji | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 2890 Registered: 5-2002 |
Great!! | ||
| room037
Member Username: room037 Post Number: 79 Registered: 9-2003 |
Today I picked up the guitar ! Both filters are fine, and rear volume is wrong. Original case was gone, It is shrouded by Levy's gig bag. But I paid about $1600 included new DS-5R. It's good price, isn't it ? I will post the picture. The guitar has Koa top and neck. Eiji | ||
| dela217
Senior Member Username: dela217 Post Number: 566 Registered: 6-2002 |
I can't wait! | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 2905 Registered: 5-2002 |
So is everything working right now? | ||
| room037
Member Username: room037 Post Number: 80 Registered: 9-2003 |
Hi Dave, Unfortunately, Rear Volume trouble is continued. At the half position, the sound is poping on and off, and distorted. I will check rear circuit board. Eiji | ||
| room037
Member Username: room037 Post Number: 81 Registered: 9-2003 |
Hi, Here is the picture ! My guitar has Maple body with Koa top & back, Koa neck with 4 graphite layers.    | ||
| room037
Member Username: room037 Post Number: 82 Registered: 9-2003 |
Hi Michael, I love the scroll body with long or medium scale bass. But I am dreaming, no scroll body with short scale bass ! Are you looking for such bass ? How about the scale of Hyak basses ? I think almost LSB, only a few MSB, but SSB ? | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 2919 Registered: 5-2002 |
Very nice!! | ||
| dela217
Senior Member Username: dela217 Post Number: 568 Registered: 6-2002 |
Room037 - I have been looking for a no scroll Hyak for a long time. I have only seen one of them. I friend of mine has one here in New Orleans. I too have not seen a short scale Hyak, but would love to find one. I do own a medium scale bass, but I can only guess if they made one in a short. A short or medium Hyak bass with no scroll would be just the thing for me! That guitar you found is just perfect! A real beauty. And no scroll too! I wish mine was in such nice shape. The finish on mine has seen better days. Michael | ||
| room037
Member Username: room037 Post Number: 83 Registered: 9-2003 |
Hi Michael, Your Hyak bass is alive !? Katrina didn't killed her !? Hyak bass with Medium and scroll is my favorite, I wish to get one in the future! And please let us know when you get no scroll bass. I saw only one Hyak bass at Japan. I was impressed unique head, but I don't remember the body shape. Eiji | ||
| dela217
Senior Member Username: dela217 Post Number: 570 Registered: 6-2002 |
My Hyak bass is very much alive. There is some minor de-lamination around the body edges, but other than that it is fine. I hosed out the control cavity with fresh water to get all the salt out and the electronics work! Of all the basses that I had that went through the flood, this one's neck came out the best. It was still in tune after the water went down! Michael | ||
| bassman10096
Senior Member Username: bassman10096 Post Number: 832 Registered: 7-2003 |
Glad to hear some good news on the bass-salvage front, Michael. On top of all the the personally traumatic things that happened, your basses were a separate, but terrible concern to anyone who can understand the real (much more than monetary) value of their uniqueness and craftsmanship. Good luck with the rest. Bill | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 2932 Registered: 5-2002 |
Michael; what Bill said goes for me too! | ||
| dela217
Senior Member Username: dela217 Post Number: 571 Registered: 6-2002 |
Thanks guys. It means a lot to me when I know there is someone out there who understands. Thanks! Yes my Hyak is alive and well with minimal damage considering how awful and toxic that water was. But, I forgot to mention that the top on the Hyak did spit in 2 places. Strange thing is that is split exactly in the same spot on both sides. From a distance the damage to the top looks like some of the bookmatched figuring! I'll try to post a pic later. Happy New Year. Michael | ||
| room037
Member Username: room037 Post Number: 84 Registered: 9-2003 |
New pict. is "control cavity" You can see 2 circuit board and large parts just like steel plate. It is side mounted phone jack.  | ||
| bassilator
Junior Username: bassilator Post Number: 16 Registered: 5-2004 |
That guitar is incredible looking. Eiji, glad it is working out for you. Dela, glad to hear you survived Katrina. What a story about that bass! Here's a picture of my Hyak Scroll-less bass. I got it from one of the Hyak owners a couple years ago. It and a neck were buried in his closet all the years.  | ||
| room037
Member Username: room037 Post Number: 85 Registered: 9-2003 |
Thanks Rob, Wow! Here it is ! It's just like another small standard body. I love it ! How about the scale length ? It seems medium scale, and short scale is much better as Alembic way. My Hyak was sent back to the technician. He said the circuit board was well, out from body. May be It is fitting problem. I can't wait !!! | ||
| dela217
Senior Member Username: dela217 Post Number: 572 Registered: 6-2002 |
Rob - I would LOVE to see that thing finished. I think you should do it! I know it would be hard finding the right stuff for it. Bridge, electronics, etc. But, it would be worth the try. Michael | ||
| bassilator
Junior Username: bassilator Post Number: 17 Registered: 5-2004 |
Eiji, have you found a serial number on your guitar yet? I'd be interested in knowing the number. My unfinished bass is a long scale neck. Take care, Rob | ||
| room037
Member Username: room037 Post Number: 89 Registered: 9-2003 |
Hi Rob, Today I will pick up my guitar. Reae volume is working now. I don't know where serial number is. But it has "79-501" on the certification. I will look for the number today. Your scrollless bass has long scale !? It will be head dive, isn't it ? Eiji | ||
| dela217
Senior Member Username: dela217 Post Number: 577 Registered: 6-2002 |
Eiji - Certification? You have paperwork with it?!? Never seen such a thing. By the way, you will find a serial number stamped on the inside of the control cavity cover. You should also be able to find it stamped in the battery compartment under the batteries. As far as the head dive on a scrolless Hyak goes....definately!!! I test drove one in a recording studio once and was very neck heavy. But, I did not mind at all. It takes a certain technique to play one of these babies. Michael | ||
| dela217
Senior Member Username: dela217 Post Number: 578 Registered: 6-2002 |
Rob - On your unfinished Hyak, does it have a serial number? Does it have a control cavity plate? Thanks, Michael | ||
| room037
Member Username: room037 Post Number: 90 Registered: 9-2003 |
Hi Michael, Sorry for your confusion. The certification is not original from factory. It's only the shop issue. Today I picked up my guitar. I found the serial number at battery compartment. (It is not on the cover.) This guitar has No. 790561. 5th word is just like double stamped "0". But there is not sticked out. I think it is "6".  And more, I know you are the master of small standard body. Scrollless Hyak bass is same balance as LSB on small body that you own. Eiji | ||
| bassilator
Junior Username: bassilator Post Number: 18 Registered: 5-2004 |
Hey Dela, Nope, no cover plate came with it and no serial number is stamped anywhere. The neck obviously had frets at some point, but the body never had any hardware. The holes for the pickups were never drilled so the body was never quite finished. Maybe it didn't pass "quality control" back then and they bailed on it. I wish I knew, but the owner I got if from didn't remember. Did you know I have a separate unfinished neck too? Got it from the same guy.  | ||
| room037
Member Username: room037 Post Number: 94 Registered: 9-2003 |
Sad news ! Few days ago when I conected 5 pin jack, the beep sound pierced. Afterwards, there is no sounds only beep just like broken radio ! I think, it is operation amp trouble due to blowout. Now, my guitar needs some repair again. |
