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Post subject: Electronics problems
Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2012 8:57 am
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Joined: Fri Nov 30, 2012 8:48 am
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I have a p-bass that is about 40 years old and still in excellent condition except that it tends to drop off at times and sometimes has some static that will usually go away if I play with the volume knob. I am wondering if I need to replace the pickup (which is the original pickup) or if it sounds like there is an issue with the wiring.


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Post subject: Re: Electronics problems
Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2012 10:16 am
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Rock Star
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Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2008 3:12 pm
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Location: Albemarle, NC
FIRST, don't replace ANYTHING on this instrument! Don't even mess with any existing original solder joints. Even though being 40 years old puts it well into the CBS era it is still pretty valuable and getting more valuable almost by the day. Until something is replaced or until an original solder joint is broken it is a COLLECTOR CLASS INSTRUMENT depending on other factors.

I can not emphasize enough that even one broken solder joint can mean that over half the collector value of the bass just vaporized. I am not exaggerating. I never kid about things like that.

Here is what needs to be done. Take it to a guitar tech and have them clean the pots and clean/adjust the jack with EXPLICIT instructions not to replace any parts or disturb any original solder joints. You just want the pots and jack cleaned plus a visual check of the wiring. That will probably fix the problem.

If the pickup was the issue it would be bad all the time. I've never seen a bad pickup come and go and come and go. They go and stay gone. So it is not the pickup and the behavior you describe is caused by pots that need cleaning.

Some repair techs might advise changing the pots as this is more profitable for them. DO NOT do anything but clean the old pots and clean/adjust the jack. If the tech still wants approval to change ANY part tell them no offense but you want to get a second opinion from another tech before doing so.

If the pot really needs replacing, a truly skilled tech can open the pot and replace the internal components of the pot without disturbing the collector class value.


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Post subject: Re: Electronics problems
Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2012 3:18 pm
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Thanks.


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