Popping Bart TCT pre-amp :(

evilgus · #1 06-14-2010, 08:35 AM

Hi folks,

It looks like the Bartolini TCT in one of my pre-Gib Tobiases is starting to die, maybe someone will be able to confirm or advise.

The bass started making loud pops occasionally, about a week ago, when I was slapping and "popping", but got worse and worse until it now happens all the time. (Only happens with pre-amp active, not in passive mode.) I opened up the control cavity and determined that tapping on the TCT block itself, causes the popping sound through the pre-amp. The TCT was no longer stuck to the bottom brass plate of the cavity, so I stuck that back on, but it didn't stop the problem. After doing that, I also noticed that the bass and mid controls had stopped working, so I guess tapping on it exascerbated the problem.

Does this sound like the TCT itself is stuffed? It is a pretty old bass, so I guess it's possible, but I'm still planning on getting someone more skilled in wiring to check it out.

Bummer,

EG

FunkMetalBass · #2 06-14-2010, 08:38 AM

I'd contact Bartolini. It's possible that the solder joints are cold, and when the preamp module became loose, the joints were fractured. Popping tells me that there is a wire connecting/disconnecting with physical movement.

evilgus · #3 06-23-2010, 08:37 AM

Thanks for the feedback, but it's definitely a stuffed module. All the wires leaving the module are flexible and moving them around does not cause a noise, just tapping on the module, whilst holding it completely in place.

But guess who got his hands on two *brand new* TCT pre-amps, one of which, should drop straight in?

EG