Chilling @Kopi & Kueh Port Dickson | Part 1

Date: January 28, 2025

Venue: Kopi & Kueh by the Beach, Port Dickson

Multimedia Content: Soundflower

Korib & Boey @Kuantan Pickers | Getaran Jiwa

Date: January 29, 2025

Venue: Kuantan Pickers & Kedai Kopi

Vocals: Korib Ibrahim

Guitar: Boey Busker

Korib Ibrahim is available for engagement as an emcee or performer

Call/SMS/WhatsApp 010-9215383

Roy @Royal Studio DSMF | Kau Ratna Ku

Date: January 25, 2025

Venue: Royal Studio DSMF, Kuantan 

Vocals: Roy Alwi

Keyboards: Tok Waleed Daeng

Bass: Zecco Zachariah

Drums: Tg. Saiful

Violin: Rahmat D'Heritage

Song: Kau Ratna Ku

Songwriters: M. Nasir, Nurbisa

Artist: Roy Alwi

Album/Year: Roy/1993

Label/Cat: EMI/00724382713326

Korib & Boey @Kuantan Pickers | Kehilangan

Date: January 18, 2025

Venue: Kuantan Pickers & Kedai Kopi

Vocals: Korib Ibrahim

Guitar: Boey Busker

Korib Ibrahim is available for engagement as an emcee or performer

Call/SMS/WhatsApp 010-9215383

Planto @Taman Tasik Raub | Kasih Orang Muda

Event: Malam Citrawarna & Ambang Merdeka

Date: August 30, 2024

Venue: Dataran Taman Tasik Raub

Song: Kasih Orang Muda

Songwriter: JS Kevin

Artist: Fahrenheit

Album/Year: Cahaya Gemilang/1995

Label/Cat: Life Records/HSP 01010-4

Gerai Nasi Ayam Sedap Adinda in Taman Impianku

Now, why on earth would I be sharing a video about a food stall? Well, one of the reasons is because Juraini @Along, the affable head honcho, really loves music. On any given day, you'll hear anything from dangdut to classic rock playing on her radio. 

Then again, service is great, prices are reasonable and the nasi ayam [chicken rice] is totally amazing. You can also order various dishes with white rice if nasi ayam is not your thing. So, if you're ever in Taman Impianku around lunchtime, do drop by Gerai Nasi Ayam Sedap Adinda for a truly satisfying meal that won't put a dent in your wallet.

River Blues 2017 | Rehearsal @Bandar Pusat Jengka

Date: July 15, 2017

Venue: Mutiara Residence Site Office, Bandar Pusat Jengka

Shafie: Guitar

De Alma: Guitar

Fendi: Drums

AA: Bass, Vocals

This video is courtesy of Dyda Jameela

A Visit to the Port Dickson Ornamental Fish Center

Images and videos in this presentation are courtesy of Soundflower

Soundtrack: Underwater Sound Effects

Meet Tojid and DJ Erma

Say hello to Mohamad Tojid and Normah, whom I first met way back in 1984; the year I started teaching in Bukit Goh. Tojid, who used to play keyboards in our band, now handles audio for wedding and karaoke gigs. He's never alone though, for Normah is always by his side. Now known as DJ Erma, she handles emcee and of course, deejay duties. This is one formidable husband and wife team, I tell ya!

Planned Mods for an SG-Looking Object | Stills

For the benefit of readers who don't have the time to watch the video on the proposed mods, I've captured a number of stills just for you.

Body Minus Stock Hardware

Fretboard and Frets

Back of Body

Empty Control Cavity

Stock Electronics

Set Neck

Close-Up of Neck

Bigsby Vibrato Tailpiece and Roller Bridge

Close-Up of Bigsby Vibrato Tailpiece

Close-Up of TOM-Style Roller Bridge

Wilkinson Pickups

Tortoiseshell Pickguard Material

Guyker Brass Roller Nut

Close-Up of Roller Nut

Comparing String Spacing

Comparing Nut Widths

Planned Mods for an SG-Looking Object

This video is about the planned mods on an SG-looking object. These mods include a pair of "inspired-by-P90" Wilkinson pickups, a handmade faux tortoiseshell pickguard, Bigsby-licensed vibrato tailpiece, a TOM-style roller bridge, Guyker brass roller nut; and custom truss rod cover.

Korib Ibrahim Performs with Orkestra Simfoni PDRM

Date: March 26, 2022

Event: Majlis Santapan Diraja Sempena Sambutan Hari Polis ke-215 

Venue: The St. Regis Kuala Lumpur

Conductor: ASP Mesmoro Edward

Orchestrator: Teuku Umar Elany

Videography: Royal Malaysian Police Band

Korib Ibrahim is available for engagement as an emcee or performer

Call/SMS/WhatsApp 010-9215383

Korib Ibrahim @Berjaya Megamall | September 7, 2024

Song: Layu Di Hujung Mekar

Songwriter: Aida Anumsary Hassim

Artist: Rio

Album/Year: Dunia 1001/1992

Label/Cat: FMC Music/AFCD 1000

Korib Ibrahim is available for engagement as an emcee or performer

Call/SMS/WhatsApp 010-9215383 

Korib Ibrahim & Rama Rama @Tangga Food Court

This video was recorded by Amie Fadzrien in May 2024

Click the link to see more from Rama Rama Band

Korib Ibrahim is available for engagement as an emcee or performer

Call/SMS/WhatsApp 010-9215383

Korib Ibrahim @Pondok TreeUnder Kuantan

This video was recorded by Amie Fadzrien in December 2023

Korib Ibrahim is available for engagement as an emcee or performer

Call/SMS/WhatsApp 010-9215383

Evaluating a RC Stromm P-Style Bass

Here's a sunburst RC Stromm P-Style four-string bass that's been sent in for an evaluation and repair estimate minus a gig bag. Although I've immediately noticed quite a few issues that need to be addressed, the owner is only worried about the high action and general unplayability. Well, brother, there's a whole lot more to be worried about. 

As the bass still has strings on, I've plugged it into an amp just to see if it works. The good news is that it does make a sound. The bad news is that the output stays the same with the volume control dimed, fully off, or anywhere in between. There's definitely something wrong with the wiring, the volume pot itself; or both. Watch the short video below, and you'll see what I mean.

Now that introductions are over and done with, let's take a closer look at the hardware. Starting at the headstock end, you'll notice that the tuners and lone string retainer are cruddy and in dire need of servicing. To make matters worse, all sixteen mounting screws are terribly corroded.

Tuners and String Retainer

Rusty Tuner Mounting Screws

Moving on to the strap buttons, there's a remarkable similarity in condition when compared to the tuners and string retainer. All that corrosion and crud suggests that this bass has been sitting on a stand or hanging on a wall collecting dust. Which makes a lot of sense since it doesn't even have a gig bag.

Upper Horn Strap Button

Rear End Strap Button

Think I'll take the three-ply pickguard off now and see if there are any surprises lurking underneath. But wait, I can't even unfasten the screws. Guess why? Yes, sir, it's because the slots on all eleven are too corroded for a screwdriver to get a firm grip on. Half-an-hour later, and I've managed to unscrew the lot. There's rust spots and loads of grime on the underside of the pickguard, but nothing a good scrub with soap and water can't take care of.

Eleven Rusty Pickguard Screws

Underside of Pickguard - Image 1

Underside of Pickguard - Image 2

Underside of Pickguard - Image 3

The bridge on this bass is a typical vintage-style with four barrel saddles. There's a nice blanket of cobwebs and dust coating every square inch, so thick that it looks like fur. Let's unscrew the saddles and see if anything needs to be serviced or replaced. Well, I can't say I'm surprised. The intonation screws, springs and height adjustment hex screws are cruddy, discolored, and corroded. It's a wonder I managed to get them off at all.

E and A Saddles

A, D and G Saddles

Saddles, Screws and Springs

Cobwebbed Bridge Plate

Close-Up of Bridge Plate

Rear End of Bridge Plate

Back to the pickguard, then. As expected, electronics comprise nondescript volume and tone mini pots, as well as a generic open frame output jack. The wiring has been duly checked, and found to be sound. This being the case, the root cause of aforementioned output anomaly is definitely the volume pot itself.

Mini Pots and Output Jack

Close-Up of Volume and Tone Pots

Close-Up of Output Jack

The split P-style pickup is most certainly in working order, as can be heard in the video at the beginning of this post. Are there any issues of concern, then? Oh yes, there are. For one, there's the sheer amount of dust and grime coating the covers. Then again, those rusty height adjustment screws and pole pieces cannot be ignored.

Grimy Pickup Cover and Rusty Screw

Rusty Pole Pieces - Upper Pickup

Rusty Pole Pieces - Lower Pickup

Last but not least, something needs to be said about the fretboard and frets. Yes, that's a pretty cruddy slab of wood we're looking at. The tarnished frets, meanwhile, display the typical discoloration brought about by oxidation. If you guessed that whoever used to play this bass never bothered to wipe down the strings and fretboard after use, you're spot on! 

Cruddy Fretboard

Close-Up of Tarnished Frets

        

Korib Ibrahim & FreeStyle | Suatu Masa

Date: November 2, 2024

Venue: The Ballroom Weddings & Event, Kuantan

Korib Ibrahim is available for engagement as an emcee or performer

Call/SMS/WhatsApp 010-9215383

Samick Corsair Bass from Hell

The title says it all. Here's a Samick Greg Bennett Design Corsair Series CR1 four-string bass that's been through hell and come back totally petrified. Now, here's the kicker -- the owner's only concern is that his bass "makes no sound," and doesn't seem to realize that it's unplayable as is. The background music for this video is courtesy of Alex Wit from Kołobrzeg, Poland.

Resurrecting a Dead Ibanez GIO Bass

YouTube Video I

YouTube Video II

Testing the Pickups and Controls

This Ibanez GIO four-string bass buzzes loudly but makes no sound when plugged into an amp. The bass is equipped with two humbuckers and controls for neck volume, bridge volume, and master tone. Initial checks suggest that neither the pickups nor controls are in working order. 

Pickups Do Not Work

Controls Do Not Work

Evaluating Electronic Components

Following this, I scrutinize the electronics and am not too happy with what I find. For one, both the output jack and jack plate are terribly rusty. The jack plate can be saved, but the jack itself needs to be replaced. Then again, there's the three CF mini pots. Now, I have nothing against mini pots in general. However, I've had to replace these CF [Cherk Fan] pots lots of times, and dare say that they're quirky and prone to failure. 

Rusty Output Jack

Badly Tarnished Jack Plate

CF 500K Neck Volume Pot

CF 500K Bridge Volume Pot

CF 500K Tone Pot

Wiring Issues 

Perhaps the most serious issues lie in the wiring. To say that there are anomalies would be an understatement, methinks. There are clear signs that the wiring has been tampered with, such as disconnected wires left dangling, exposed spliced joints, and iffy resoldering. And, as expected, continuity checks with a multimeter confirm my suspicions that the integrity of the circuit has been seriously compromised.

Neck Humbucker Series Link

Disconnected Ground

Bridge Humbucker Series Link

Disconnected Wires Twisted Together

Ground Continuity Check

Work Begins

It's now time to get to work. The electronics have been totally desoldered, and the output jack assembly taken apart. Thankfully, servicing the crusty jack plate has been made easier with the help of a polishing wheel and jewelers' rouge.

Desoldered Electronics

Empty Control Cavity

Output Jack Assembly Taken Apart

Servicing the Jack Plate and Control Knobs

Fixing the Pickups

Let's tackle the pickups, then. Desoldering the two pickups has left me with a tangled mess of wires, some of which are way too short to be reused as is. 

Short and Tangled Pickup Leads

As such, I've had cut away part of the cable jackets to expose fresh leads to work on. And guess what? There's a disconnected green lead buried deep within the cable, connected to nothing. In any case, being humbuckers, there are four leads and a braided ground inside each cable. These leads are colored white, black, red, and green.

Pickup Leads Separated and Identified

With the aid of my trusty multimeter, I've figured out that black is hot, red and white soldered together are the series link, and green should be soldered to the braided ground. So, all this while, the configuration was correct, except for the disconnected green lead. 

Pickup Leads Reconfigured

OK then, I've the reconfigured the wiring for both pickups. Here's the neck humbucker as an example. Testing its output with a multimeter set to 0.1 DCV and nut wrench shows that the pickup now works, and it's the same for the bridge humbucker. Yes indeed, these two have come back to life. Oh, happy day!

Testing the Neck Pickup - It Works!

Completing the Job

Let's get back to the control cavity now. Replacements comprise three full-sized Alpha A500K pots and a generic output jack. Rewiring has been carried out with red [hot] and yellow [ground] silicon-jacketed wire, as I'm all out of black. As final testing through an amp has yielded pleasing results, I do declare that this dead Ibanez GIO bass has been resurrected.

Alpha A500K Pots

Output Jack Replaced

Jack Plate Reinstalled

Rewiring Completed

Final Check - Everything Works

YouTube Video I

YouTube Video II