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PostPosted: Thu Sep 26, 2013 2:37 pm 
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Joined: Thu Sep 26, 2013 12:48 pm
Posts: 1

Hi to everybody,

I've just reiceived from USA (I live in Italy) a vintage X620 bass (bought by eBay)

I bought it without any module (declared in the auction text).
The seller assured me that without modules it is a "passive" instrument, so that:
- no need any battery
- it should work simply as a passive instrument when plugged into a guitar amplifier.

Now I think I tried avery combination of switches and knobs ... but it has never produced a sound! :((

Very sad for all this, I am going to check its circuit using the useful schematics I found on this site.

My questions are :
1) are the statements I wrote above as true?
2) Are there any trick to do that I didn't?
3) If I have to check the signal along the electrical path ... where should I put the multimeter tips for first?

thanks alot for all the help you will able to give me

. Franco .



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PostPosted: Thu Sep 26, 2013 8:56 pm 
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Joined: Mon Oct 27, 2008 7:10 pm
Posts: 3051
Location: Tifton, Ga USA
The bass should work in passive mode with no MPC modules so long as the input plug I has good connection.I would first try connecting a 9volt battery to the connector inside the MPC compartment and then check to see if you hear any click, noise etc when you plug in the input jack, also move the switches for the macs up and down to listen for any clicks or noises etc even though you have no modules installed.You may not have a complete circuit to ground.Also move the selector switch back and forth to all five settings.You should get some kind of hiss, click etc.Good Luck

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PostPosted: Fri Sep 27, 2013 7:03 am 
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Location: Central Iowa
both mpc module switches should be in the up position for it to be in passive mode. can you post pictures of the wiring in the control cavity?

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PostPosted: Thu Oct 03, 2013 12:44 pm 
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Joined: Thu Feb 07, 2008 5:52 am
Posts: 1938
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
The output jack can be a weak link in a MPC guitar, its a stereo jack that uses the shorted Ring and Sleeve (when you plug in a mono cable) to activate the battery. Check that out with a volt ohm meter.

As stated above, the Axe should definitely work passively with both MPC switches UP, towards the knobs, to be Off. I'd use the Wiring Diagram on here to just check for bad connections and possible solder breaks, especially after its long journey.

Turn your amp way down, and listen as you plug in, jiggle the cable end... and maybe even plug in and out the cable a dozen times just to see if some sound crackles through. Those jacks fail often. Good luck, and keep us up to date! Mike.

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