Spector Tonepump swap for a Aguilar OBP2 TK

[TheGreek]

I (well not me exactly) have changed the preamp in my Spector 6er to an Aguilar OBP2 TK. However my electronics tech, who is usually really sharp,  is having issues fitting the new pre. Initially he was going to order 2 extra pots (it only comes with 2) till I spoke to Mark at BD where I bought it, and he advised that the two existing volume pots are used with the ODP - no replacements required.

 

Tech has encountered another problem - all Japanese to me - when I spoke to Mark he said it was a straight forward swap which, once the original Tonepump has been removed, is a 10 minute job. Tech disagrees.

 

Has anybody actually done the swap themselves and would be able to have a chat with my Tech to resolve the issues.

 

Mark and Marcus from BD are currently in Spain and not contactable.

[itu]

pickups - vol - vol - tone stack - out

 

I suppose the only battery powered ("active") part is the tone stack. The pots and pickups are possibly plain hi-Z (high impedance, "passive"). Changing the tone stack is just de- and soldering few wires (in, out, battery terminals) if the tone pots are already fitted to the stack.

 

This takes maybe an hour including all assembly work. Simple job.

 

I do not think that your tech have to change pots, if they are functional. Very common (and mediocre) carbon track Alpha and similar pots cost practically nothing, so if he wants to change them, it's up to him. The reason would be nice to understand, though.

Edited July 23, 2023 by itu

[Hellzero]

I've swapped or installed hundreds of preamps and it's a 10 minutes swap indeed, nothing easier to do, especially when new with a diagram or a schematic.

 

I've also (re)wired totally unknown preamps implying redrawing and/or understanding the circuit itself and also way more complicated electronics jobs, but it's been my job in the mid 90's early 2000's.

 

Sorry Mick, but if your tech can't do such a simple swap, he's not a tech at all to me.

[tauzero]

The OBP2 wiring diagram is at http://www.aguilaramp.com/wp-content/uploads/wiring-diagram-obp-2-v2.pdf - he wants page 4. 

[TheGreek]

Collected the bass earlier. 

Mal's hands were swollen as a result of arthritis so he's calling it a day.

I'm now in a position where I need to either find someone else or have a go myself. 

[tauzero]

I recently put an OBP2-SK into the handmade 6-string headless - I advise connecting as much as possible up before putting everything into the control cavity. I used some heatshrink to hold the six wires going to the bass/treble stacked pot together - you may find the same with the two sets of three wires running to the separate bass and treble pots.

[TheGreek]

More facking heart ache - new tech says the wire colours don't correspond to the wiring diagram. Plans to ring Mark at BD tomorrow (but didn't email in advance 

 

This is turning into a proper Greek Saga.