Alembic Distillate RF issues

[harleybass]

So I just got an 85 Distillate, before purchasing I asked the seller we’re there any RF issues.(from previous experience I knew this was an issue)of course the answer was no. In his defense I plugged it into a lunchbox amp in the parking lot and I didn’t hear anything. I come home plugged it into my Mesa Rig and now I hear the local radio station in the back round. Other than sending it back to Alembic any DIY tips I can try.??

 

[Matt Liebenau]

If the control and pickup cavities aren’t shielded, that’s a good place to start. There are several threads about shielding in the pickups and electronics section.

 

[Geri O]

Several years ago, I bought a ‘79 Series One (and sold it afterwards like a big dummy because “it wasn’t a 5-string”. How lame is that) and reading up on it, I found an article about sending the older Alembics back for a preamp replacement that was better built for RF rejection. But it was pricey! $1200-1300, I believe!

So look at the posts that @Matt Liebenau suggested and if you decide to do the shielding work yourself, follow the details to a T so hopefully you can avoid shipping that wonderful bass back to Alembic.

I also think I remember seeing shielding paint in my ‘79, but I’ll not swear to that. And on the few gigs I actually took it on, I was lucky, I didn’t have any RF issues.

Good luck with your Distillate!

 

[kesslari]

It will be easy to tell if things are shielded. My guess with Alembic is yes, and it's the known preamp issue, and "let them fix it" is the solution. Email Mica to find out the actual cost.

 

[adje]

The electronics cavity will have been shielded from the factory, not the pickup cavities. Alembics are different, e.g. there is no grounding to strings, so keep that in mind when looking up advice on shielding.

The shielding paint on the wood should touch the backplate (which should have its own shielding paint) so if there is no continuity you may need to touch it up a bit. Also the pots and switches and the jack should all be properly snugged up (again touching the shielding).

Reach out to Mica @ Alembic through Facebook or their site with some pictures of the cavity. There is an RF upgrade for the Activator electronics from this era, which may be advisable.

 

[adje]

Several years ago, I bought a ‘79 Series One (and sold it afterwards like a big dummy because “it wasn’t a 5-string”. How lame is that) and reading up on it, I found an article about sending the older Alembics back for a preamp replacement that was better built for RF rejection. But it was pricey! $1200-1300, I believe!

So look at the posts that @Matt Liebenau suggested and if you decide to do the shielding work yourself, follow the details to a T so hopefully you can avoid shipping that wonderful bass back to Alembic.

I also think I remember seeing shielding paint in my ‘79, but I’ll not swear to that. And on the few gigs I actually took it on, I was lucky, I didn’t have any RF issues.

Good luck with your Distillate!

The upgrade on a Series instrument is costly, on a Distillate it should be far less.

 

[fdeck]

Every time I've dealt with radio pickup, it was a dodgy ground connection on one end of the signal cable, or both. And the output jack on a bass is something that can wiggle loose over the years.