Question about Alembic AXY pickups in... Log Out | Topics | Search
Moderators | Register | Edit Profile

Alembic Club » Alembic Basses & Guitars » Archive: 2007 » Archive through March 05, 2007 » Question about Alembic AXY pickups in Aria SB « Previous Next »

Author Message
alembic83
Junior
Username: alembic83

Post Number: 26
Registered: 9-2004
Posted on Friday, February 23, 2007 - 6:56 am:   Edit Post

Hello, I was wondering if a forum member, or Mica, may be able to shed some light on the short-lived partnership Alembic had with Aria Pro in Japan in the early 90s? I will soon be getting an Aria SB-LTD that comes with 2 Alembic "AXY/AE-1"pickups. Unfortunately, there doesn't appear to be any filters or fancy guts, just the pickups and two volume controls and one "active tone" control. The bass will need some work I think, but I will post pictures when I get it fixed up. In the meantime, I will include a snapshot I took of my Aria Pro Japanese catalog from 1991. I think Aria offered the SB-LTD for at least 3 years in the early 90s. Just curious as to how the partnership came about and maybe why it ended. Thanks!
Jason
alembic83
Junior
Username: alembic83

Post Number: 27
Registered: 9-2004
Posted on Friday, February 23, 2007 - 7:01 am:   Edit Post

Oops, the file was too big. Ok, here is a link of that 1991 SB-LTD/Alembic AXY catalog shot here:

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c104/AriaProII/Aria%20Catalogs%20and%20Ads/sbltd1200.jpg

Thanks
Jason
lbpesq
Senior Member
Username: lbpesq

Post Number: 2116
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Friday, February 23, 2007 - 7:35 am:   Edit Post

Jason:

I've never heard of a joint venture between Aria Pro and Alembic. Aria certainly copied Alembic, or at least was HIGHLY influenced by Alembic in a few models from late '70s - early 80s. I have an Aria Pro II Rev Sound RS-850 guitar from this era. Alembic-like construction with Series I type electronics, including two filters and 3-way Q toggles. I wouldn't be surprised if the "active tone control" on the bass you're getting is, in fact, a filter. Post some pics when you get it.

Bill, tgo
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 4792
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Friday, February 23, 2007 - 11:45 am:   Edit Post

Interesting. It would appear that Alembic did at least supply Aria with pickups. If any of our members that read Japanese could translate some of the text from Jason's link, that may shed some light on the circuit.
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 4166
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Friday, February 23, 2007 - 12:49 pm:   Edit Post

We sold Aria pickups and electronics for a few years. I'm pretty sure it was at Rudy Sarzo's instistance. He was endorsing their product, and wanted Activators in it, since he's used our Activator systems for as long as I can remember.

When Arai & Co., Ltd. stopped purchasing the Activators, they didn't tell us a reason. But the relationship between us and Mr. Arai was always very good, and Mr. Arai is a gracious man.
alembic83
Junior
Username: alembic83

Post Number: 28
Registered: 9-2004
Posted on Wednesday, February 28, 2007 - 2:07 am:   Edit Post

Thanks for the reply everyone. I will post pictures of the SB-LTD when I get it fixed up, and also offer an opinion on the sound. I have a Spoiler to compare it to. I wish I could read Japanese to get the details on the circuit as well.
Thanks
Jason
hieronymous
Intermediate Member
Username: hieronymous

Post Number: 115
Registered: 1-2005
Posted on Wednesday, February 28, 2007 - 7:33 am:   Edit Post

I tried to read the Japanese text, but the resolution is just a little bit too low. Do you have a higher resolution scan of the catalog? You could email it to me and I could give it a go, though I have a feeling it's not going to be too detailed...
2400wattman
Advanced Member
Username: 2400wattman

Post Number: 292
Registered: 11-2005
Posted on Wednesday, February 28, 2007 - 8:23 am:   Edit Post

Rudy Sarzo listed Alembic electronics in the liner notes of the last Whitesnake album. The bass however was mixed poorly as you can only hear a pedal like tone, no character in the sound such as growl or punchiness.

Topics | Last Day | Last Week | Tree View | Search | Help/Instructions | Program Credits Administration