[fidopunk]

Howdy, allow me to forgo pleasantries for the time being as time is of the essence.
I just got a 1977 RD Artist off of evilBay (and among other problems) the little fella's treble pickup doesn't seem to quite match the output of the neck pickup. Also, when using the mode selector switch, it sometimes mutes the bridge pickup.
So, it seems as though something screwy is going on with either the bridge pickup, the mode selector switch, or maybe the pickup selector switch. Does anyone have any clues as to where I should start looking?
Thanks for reading/helping.

[jules]

I've had minor problems too from time to time. Have a look under the back control panel - the two switches are relatively complex - lots of flexible strips.
You can see, after a minutes observation how they work. Make sure nothing is sticking or bent.

let us know what happens

[fidopunk]

yeah, I tried that all ready and couldn't see anything jump out at me-- that and when I try to plug the sucker in without the back cover, it makes TONS of noise; to the point where I can't even work on it.
After some more playing, I've noticed that when you're in normal mode, the pickup output is equal, when you're in expansion/compression mode, the bridge is slightly muted, and when you're in bright mode, the bridge is silent.
I'm going to try and fiddle some more.
I think I'm the first person to ever have opened the back cavity. There was a cardboard template masking-taped to the inside of the body under the cover. I hated to take it off, but you got to do what you got to do.

[fidopunk]

Okay, I've calmed down a bit... it seems as though the more I play it and the more I fiddle with the switch, the less humming and interference I get. After reading through my last post it's clear the issue is the mode selector (Good lord look at the wires on that thing!!!!)...
I took a picture-- this is in neutral. I'm assuming all those blades should be straight, correct?
Thanks so much for your help... it seems like this thing is getting better.
PS, on the bridge pickup in bright mode it sounds like someone pissed off my '75 Jazz.

[jules]

Glad its getting better...

Originally Posted by fidopunk

I'm assuming all those blades should be straight, correct?

no - almost straight, but as you flick the switch they will curve towards the contacts, one way or the other.

It might be worth lightly sanding the contacts (use very thin fine paper) - but you have to be careful not to bend the blades further. You can bend them back of course, but it can get a little fiddly.

I think the circuit boards and pickups themselves are quite robust. All problems i've had with these basses have been about weak connection.

[fidopunk]

We're on the same wavelength because before I read your reply, I pulled out my points file for my old Honda motorcycle and cleaned up the contacts on that mode switch-- difference of night and day. I think it's 100 % fine now.
Thanks for fixing my awful HTML and getting the picture posted for me.
When I got the guitar, it was missing the battery cover which I've since gotten off of eBay, but (I didn't know this when I bought it), one of the brass slugs for screwing in the battery cover is missing and the other one has a screw head broken off in it... I'll think of something to get that motoring. It's a lot less daunting than bad electronics.
Other than that, it's got flatwounds on it... which historically I've hated with a passion, but I'm shocked at how much brightness the RD is carrying. I'm almost scared to put DR Highbeams on it.
I've never considered ever selling any of my basses, but now, I only want this one... wow it's great.

[Sturmvogel]

Originally Posted by fidopunk

I've never considered ever selling any of my basses, but now, I only want this one... wow it's great.

Welcome to the club---and glad you settled out the issues. The RDs are the best kept secret. The sound quality and range is truly amazing. I liked my first one so much, I bought a second---and now a third!

Read up some more on how they ought to work--I believe somewhere on the gibsonbass pages there are some old brochures available to read.

[butch2112]

I HAVE TO SPRAY A BIT OF CONTACT CLEANER IN EVERY FEW MONTHS OR IT GOES FUNKY

[fidopunk]

I can't believe I'm saying this... but after having wanted this particular bass for more than a decade, I'm thinking about returning it to the seller after only being with it for five days.
This bass absolutely had the perfect tone I was looking for and was everything I'd always wanted in a bass, but it works better as an AM antenna than it does as an instrument.
It suffers from hellacious hums, buzzing, and radio frequency interference that I can't seem to get rid of-- with the same (or different) cables, outlets, and basses, the common factor is this RD.
The local Gibson-approved luthier swears that shielding won't fix the problems and further went on to tell me that he wouldn't shield it anyway.
I've tried a noise suppressor which works fine for when you're not playing, but the moment you start, the noise is in a volume comparable to that of the instrument.
I'm at my wit's end... does anyone have any advice?

[jules]

In what setting?

If you have the treble on full it gets noisy - but just back that off and its fine

Is this what you were talking about?