7 months after my mom passed away, I finally look into our storage room. There, I found my first bass she bought for me, It's my birthday present. It's an ABG, Tacoma by Olympia. I never saw this bass for almost 2 to 3 years. It doesn't have pin end and strings. So I go to local guitar shop and they said I need to wait 1-2 days. After got my pin end, I realize I don't have any strings so I found an unused Daddario flats in my gig bag. Strung it, I set it, aaaaand, the neck wasn't perfect. So I set the truss rod and it's good to go. It play great and sound good. But, I try to plug it in my Ampeg BA-108 and the electronic is die. I'll try to find solution but really love this bass. Can I count it as NBD?
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Found My 1st Love, Can I Call It NBD?
- Thread starter tyohars
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- abg acoustic bass nbd tacoma
Sorry to hear about your mother. Thanks for sharing about your first bass. I don't have any expertise about the electronics, but good to hear that it's playable again.
It can be a NBD or a Re-NBD or whatever you want it to be. Got any pics of it?
It can be a NBD or a Re-NBD or whatever you want it to be. Got any pics of it?
Ah, sorry, I forgot the pics. This is some pics of her. The moment I saw this bass, it kill my GAS as I already havr 3 basses with this now.
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It must be nice to find an "old friend" in the closet.
Most likely the preamp battery is dead and needs to be replaced.
The unit is held in place by the latches: press them in and pull the unit out. Remove the battery and clean any corrosion before inserting the new battery. Keep your fingers crossed that there's been no severe battery leakage that would cause additional damage to the preamp.
Enjoy the memories and the present!
Most likely the preamp battery is dead and needs to be replaced.
The unit is held in place by the latches: press them in and pull the unit out. Remove the battery and clean any corrosion before inserting the new battery. Keep your fingers crossed that there's been no severe battery leakage that would cause additional damage to the preamp.
Enjoy the memories and the present!
How exactly I clean the corrosion? I think I'll try with my Sire battery firsr before bought new one
This. If there is corrosion you'll see it, usually as white crust that appears to leak out of the battery.
If it's really bad you can use a cotton swab with just a bit of vinegar but I'd follow that up with alcohol afterwards.
That's beautiful. The Olympia versions of the thunder chief were lovely instruments.
If the electronics are shot, it's not a total loss, chances are pretty good you can buy a replacement preamp from fishman and/or Tacoma that will drop into the same slot and plug into what I assume is some sort of micro-audio-jack coming from the pickup.
Good luck!
I’m sorry for your loss. I’m also happy for your gain, your to long retired bass. I have this exact same bass. In my opinion mine plays better than the three Thunderbasses that I’ve had my hands on. The neck on my Tacoma is far thinner front to back than the Tchiefs I’ve played.
It players easier, like he difference between a P and a Jazz. I believe they are lighter as well. I like the tone a lot and have the same preamp. I’ve heard there were two different pres.
It players easier, like he difference between a P and a Jazz. I believe they are lighter as well. I like the tone a lot and have the same preamp. I’ve heard there were two different pres.
I love the neck, and don't mind the electronic dead. Thanks, cheers
Hi tyohars 
Sorry for your loss!
No!
But it' s okay to party, when you get your bass back after a few years!
Enjoy it and have fun!
may the bass be with you
Wise(b)ass
Sorry for your loss!
No!
But it' s okay to party, when you get your bass back after a few years!
Enjoy it and have fun!
may the bass be with you
Wise(b)ass
Your mom sounds like a sweet lady. So sorry for your loss. I lost my mom a while back but it still hurts.
I cherish the love she gave me all my life, but I also treasure the modest gifts she gave me. One of those things was a pair of thick loose socks that were perfect for keeping my feet warm on cold winter nights. I finally wore them completely out. I cried when that happened.
You are fortunate to have this memento from your mother that will last as long as you live. Enjoy it!
I cherish the love she gave me all my life, but I also treasure the modest gifts she gave me. One of those things was a pair of thick loose socks that were perfect for keeping my feet warm on cold winter nights. I finally wore them completely out. I cried when that happened.
You are fortunate to have this memento from your mother that will last as long as you live. Enjoy it!
Thanks for sharing this... I hope you think of her every time you pick this up.
She is a sweet lady, on her funeral all of her friends crying and grieving. Out of my 3 basses, 2 was from her. The Sire and the ABG. The only one I purchased is my MIJ P. If I need to sell those bass, it'll be the P.
I always remember her when play basses from her.
If you had it stored for years without strings on it, there is a good chance the actual piezo pickup is no longer sitting under the bridge saddle. That should be easy enough to check out.
I guess the real question is was it stored for those two or three years with a battery in place? That was never actually explicitly stated or confirmed one way or the other yet. If there was no battery, then there will be no leaking.
I don't know how the LED is supposed to work with this model, but I assume it lights up when the preamp is powered up. So that could also be a bad output jack or broken wire — plugging a jack in completes the ground circuit for the battery (usually) thus turning it on.
Can you fit your hand in through the soundhole and reach the bridge? You should be able to feel for the wire(s) coming from the bridge, and possibly the three wires coming from the output jack.
If they all seem to be in place, time to take it in to a tech to have a look. I can do nothing else for you over the internet. But very nice bass, by the way.
I don't know how the LED is supposed to work with this model, but I assume it lights up when the preamp is powered up. So that could also be a bad output jack or broken wire — plugging a jack in completes the ground circuit for the battery (usually) thus turning it on.
Can you fit your hand in through the soundhole and reach the bridge? You should be able to feel for the wire(s) coming from the bridge, and possibly the three wires coming from the output jack.
If they all seem to be in place, time to take it in to a tech to have a look. I can do nothing else for you over the internet. But very nice bass, by the way.
