Bobkat Help Request PLease

[slide496]

Hi All,

The switch needs to be replaced on one of mine- it has had static when I moved the switch but in the last several days one position no longer works and since I thought I got a mild shock from pressing down the third string a certain way - I've stopped playing it.

One place that sells them in NYC said with confidence they can replace the switch and check/fix any grounding issues.

But my question is with a guitar like this if it's more than the switch should I just get another guitar, keep this one for spare parts.

I didn't think the parts were replaceable so I have a second model in good working order.

Any input or advice appreciated.

Here's pix of front of mine:



Similar model harness:


Thank you,
Harriet

[Pickers Ditch]

Harriet, if the picture above is of the same type as your Bobkat is it the slider switch causing the problem?

The electrics in these guitars are very simple - if I were you I would take it to the guy in NYC and have him check out (it might be that a wire has just come loose) and repair / replace (with original type bits) wiring and parts, should take him about an hour to do the job max.

The bottom picture is not the same circuit, parts and switch as on the guitar pictured above it.
That lot is for a two pickup guitar and has a three way toggle switch.

Your guitar has a single pickup and the slider switch acts as part of the tone circuit.

see: harmony.demont.net/documents/schematics/H14_Bobkat.php

Best of luck, PD.

[slide496]

Thanks PD- Yes you are right!!! I didn't notice that has 4 knobs - duh.

That's the problem I am having - I don't know whether original type bits are going to be available. If they are not then replace the guitar?

Thanks,
Harriet

[Pickers Ditch]

No Harriet, don't replace the guitar - it will only need a simple fix!

You can get original TYPE bits no problem in the US.

Maybe you want to take it back to the store where you bought it? I reckon they could sort the problem for you quite easily.

...or if you contact any decent reputable vintage guitar dealers they'll be able to point your repairer in the right direction.

Keep all of the old original parts which are replaced and put them in the case with the guitar - helps with provenance when you come to sell it.....

[creolian]

Hello Harriet, all,

If you're getting shocked it's an indication of potential voltage to ground. This is an indication of a fault somewhere other than the guitar. This is caused by something that is leaking voltage to its chassis and subsequently to the guitar through the shield. This is common with older amps that are ungrounded ( two prong power cord.) Pressing things in that certain way is completing the circuit with your finger. This can be dangerous and IMO you should get things checked by someone familiar with a voltmeter.

All Best,

Jeff

[slide496]

Feb 24, 2018 15:29:24 GMT creolian said:

Hello Harriet, all,

If you're getting shocked it's an indication of potential voltage to ground. This is an indication of a fault somewhere other than the guitar. This is caused by something that is leaking voltage to its chassis and subsequently to the guitar through the shield. This is common with older amps that are ungrounded ( two prong power cord.) Pressing things in that certain way is completing the circuit with your finger. This can be dangerous and IMO you should get things checked by someone familiar with a voltmeter.

All Best,

Jeff

Thank you That's exactly what happened - I completed the circuit as one finger touched the other and it happened, but not if I was careful.

I already tested with thick soled shoes. I'm going to check my other two electrics. I have a microcube plugged into a fancy Furman strip. I'm sure two fingers have hit one another before and this hasn't happened. I'm not playing the guitar that I got shocked from at all and the shop I would take it to said that they could check/fix the grounding in the guitar itself.

Best,
Harriet

[creolian]

The shock you getting is not from a guitar... It's coming from something plugged into the wall and the guitar is carrying that voltage through its shield. The shielding in a guitar (and cable) is to alleviate noise and is not meant to carry voltage to ground. If voltage is getting to any guitar, you have a ground fault... elsewhere.

FWIW! It's common here in older homes to have newer three hole outlet plates connected to the old two wire wiring. It might look grounded and yet not be. An outlet checker or voltmeter will tell...


After witnessing a console plugged into an outlet with neutral and ground wiring reversed, destroying two power supply units, I never left home without one of these.  

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Receptacle_tester or en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multimeter

Its bad enough to be sent to the electric chair at Parchmann Farm...  you really don't want to do it at home

Be Safe!

Jeff

[Stevie]

There are two issues here Harriet; guitar function and amplifier safety. Guitar function is only ever an annoyance. That said, we don't want to focus on one to the exclusion of the other where safety is concerned.

First see whether you can replicate the "shock" using your Microcube running on dry cells Harriet. If you are OK with the Roland, next check the guitar in a different mains powered amp *that is known to be OK*. If that seems fine too, then get the original amp checked out before using it again.

Secondly, and as already suggested, I'd get the guitar checked out anyway; faults in the wiring or the function of a guitar are not in and of themselves a dangerous scenario, because we are talking about a very low voltage (and more importantly a very very low current) circuit, but faulty or otherwise, your guitar can act as a conduit for the big enchilada hiding inside the equipment that you connect to the mains supply.

At the end of the day, live (literally) with a bit of hum and since you don't need to shave, you can easily eschew two pin outlets!

e&oe...

[slide496]

Thanks all.

So far a second guitar seemed to be generating a mild shock, third didn't so I tested both without the HumDebugger pedal I had attached and 2 of the 3 guitars checked out ok. The one with the switch issue is need professional help and is not being played until checked out.

So far I replaced the HumDebugger pedal with a backup, its ac adapter and cord to amp and both guitars are checking out initially.

if it starts again I will try the six battery option first and then replacing the adapter.

Though I had an electrician in who was supposed to check, install three prong outlets correctly when I moved here 8 years ago, no harm in giving the super here a call and asking the outlet be checked in case anything has developed to be thorough, which I will do Monday.

Thanks alot for helping me develop and get through a check list on the multiple issues.

My best,
Harriet

[Deleted]

Hi. I just saw this. The slide switch on your guitar is a commonly available device. They come in dufferent number of configs, but all readily available. And iften they can be fixed. The shock problem should not hsppen with a modern amplifier. You can get a simple voltmeter nowadays for several dollars that will allow you to measure the voltage on the tip of you amp cord and any metal points on the guitar and amp...referenced to ground (connect the black lead to an earth or common ground point).

[kiwi]

Harriet as others have said the switches are easy to find. The hardest are often the rivets Harmony used to attach things like this. They were an odd size, the ones holding the pickup covers on and mounting the pickups are near impossible. I had to replace some in my Airline Meteor and had to use aluminium ones. Take it to your repair guy, they will be able to replace and check grounding.

[Deleted]

I just had a chance to look at the drawing. Easiest thing is just solder a jumper across the switch terminals and keep the tone control in circuit. Also are you getting shocks from static electricity or current from the amplifier?

[pete1951]

If you are getting a shock your amp is at fault. You should be able to hold the lead, short the tip and earth with a finger and just get a hum from the amp. A fault in your guitar may cause a loud hum/buzz (or total silence if the earth touches the live). Any shock is from the amp not working as it should (Fredcapo also talks of static, but my only experience with static is a little crackling from a charge build-up on pick-guards).
PT

[slide496]

Hi All,

I hadn't posted an update, but I am leaning toward winter dry weather events - like myself and a new rug as the culprits - and making adjustments, like antistatic mat, etc. Grounding was checked out and ok. Maybe a smidge of oil on the slide might help with friction.

Musicially speaking its super to get a confirm on the switch issue from everyone, so I can move forward to bring it down to Rivington Guitars when its a little warmer. I'll mention a concern about the rivets Kiwi.

Thanks again,
Harriet

[Deleted]

If the conditions are in place to generate static electricity, you dont want to be wearing thick soled shoes...they will cause you to build up a significant charge as you walk or playing guitar and will discharge painfully when you touch a ground. You want your feet and body continually grounded so the charge will constantly drain to earth...On the other hand, thick or rubber soled shoes are valuable when wirking on live equipment that carry electrical current whuch is when one does not wish to be grounded to complete a circuit.