| Author | Message | ||
| trekster
New Username: trekster Post Number: 1 Registered: 7-2004 |
Is it possible (or has someone already done so) to do a Alembic custom with Alembic Rickenbacker replacement pickups? I know most would say "why?" since standard Rics have a strange p/u configuration, but hey I like 'em, I'm used to them, and I want to know!  The only thing I figured that would keep this from happening is that the repalcement p/u's are meant to be mounted under a pickguard. --T | ||
| davehouck
Senior Member Username: davehouck Post Number: 722 Registered: 5-2002 |
I don't recall seeing one; and I can't think of a reason why it wouldn't be possible. | ||
| effclef
Advanced Member Username: effclef Post Number: 201 Registered: 1-2004 |
Rickenbacker pickups are normally mounted to a pickguard, but if the cavity is routed from the rear, you could mount them against wood. Alembic has said "no" in the past to any custom things they feel won't be up to Alembic quality and durability. Not sure if asking for passive Ric pickups would be the case. But try an Alembic - any model - before you really consider this. Alembics have that Ric trebly sound and low end to boot! You may find a stock Essence may sound just like you want. Alembic also makes Rickenbacker style "Activator" pickups. They're meant to replace passive Ric pickups in a Rickenbacker bass, but I wonder if they would be happy to mount these in an Alembic custom order bass. EffClef | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 1832 Registered: 6-2000 |
We make a replacement pickup set for Rics. $750 gets you the pickups and either a three control (vol-pan-filter) or 4 control (vol, pan, bass, treble) electronics layout with the extended wire lengths need to install. To replace the electronics in a similar configuration as original, you'll need to do something based on the Anniversary circuit. That'll be quite a bit more expensive. | ||
| bsee
Intermediate Member Username: bsee Post Number: 143 Registered: 3-2004 |
I am not sure of my facts here, but I think there's a misconception. I would be surprised if the Alembic pickups for the Ric were made to sound like the originals. I would more likely believe that they are a way to bring the Alembic sound to the Ric body. Maybe I am wrong, Trekster, but I think what you're asking for is a fashion statement more than to get the Ric sound out of an Alembic. Just a guess, but probably a question worth answering. -Bob | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 1833 Registered: 6-2000 |
Bob, you're right - we sell a regular Alembic system. It's gonna sound like Alembic electronics/pickups. Of course, if someone is satisfied with the present sound of the Ric, they probably wouldn't be looking for a replacement system. | ||
| effclef
Advanced Member Username: effclef Post Number: 202 Registered: 1-2004 |
Mica, I think Trekster's point was that he wanted to put Rickenbacker pickups in an Alembic custom order bass. Would you folks put third-party pickups in a special order? EffClef | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 1834 Registered: 6-2000 |
No. | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 1835 Registered: 6-2000 |
But trekster's original question is about putting Alembic Ric pickups on a special order Alembic, which of course we can do. There will not be a big difference in sound, since we use our normal pickup internally and the Ric shape is for retrofitting. We've even done pickguards before - clear looks best with super nice woods of course! | ||
| effclef
Advanced Member Username: effclef Post Number: 203 Registered: 1-2004 |
You know, I read that twice and each time I missed where he said "Alembic custom with ALEMBIC Rickenbacker replacement pickups....argh! Maybe if I change my screen settings I won't miss the obvious so much? Effclef | ||
| davehouck
Senior Member Username: davehouck Post Number: 733 Registered: 5-2002 |
Yes, the monitor is out of tune and the keyboard action needs adjusting too! <g> | ||
| effclef
Advanced Member Username: effclef Post Number: 204 Registered: 1-2004 |
Dave, that's the story of my life. Someone forced me to use a long-scale keyboard and I'm used to medium or short scale ones... EffClef PS will lemon oil keep my keycaps bright and shiny? | ||
| davehouck
Senior Member Username: davehouck Post Number: 735 Registered: 5-2002 |
The lemon oil just tends to puddle up on top of the plastic; but finger nail polish seems to work well! | ||
| trekster
New Username: trekster Post Number: 3 Registered: 7-2004 |
Mica got the jist. My idea is two-fold -- 1) I like the pickup configuration of Rickenbackers (neck pickup within 1/2 inch of the fingerboard edge, bridge pickup about 1/2 way between bridge and fingerboard edge), and 2) I like the small footprint that Ric-sized pickups have (about the same size as 1/2 a P-bass pickup). I love my Ric and would never give it up, but I'm not looking for a duplicate from Alembic. In fact, there are things wrong (but that I live with) with the Ric that I would want to improve upon with a custom Alembic -- better bridge system, no top binding that rips up your forearm, controls that are more flexible. There are things that are right -- All maple construction for the body parts, maple as the primary neck wood (I would love to use a thick piece of Ebony for the middle skunk stripe). And of course Alembic touches that just make it that much sweeter--adjustable nut, impecible finish, active pickups. I'll have a tough time dciding if I want Alembic to do this one first, or the 8-string I'm building myself now and have them "get it right" (see my post in "10-string dream bass"). BTW...Can Alembic make a Alembic version of a Hipshot D-tuner and add that, or is that up to me to put on later? --T | ||
| bob
Advanced Member Username: bob Post Number: 270 Registered: 11-2002 |
trekster - as far as I know, Alembic is not in the business of making tuners. The 'Alembic-Gotohs' are simply Gotohs with an 'A' engraved on the back; they also offer Schallers, and will install a Hipshot for you if requested. I also saw a gorgeous set of handmade guitar tuners (with ebony, brass, exposed gears, etc.) built by someone else, that they were putting on a custom, so they are pretty flexible here. | ||
| effclef
Advanced Member Username: effclef Post Number: 207 Registered: 1-2004 |
Bob, those guitar tuners were English ones and I believe they wound up on a six string with a dark ebony top... very very nice. This discussion makes me think about tuners for basses - the Gotohs are very nice and also very precise, but for some reason I think bass tuners should look bigger. :-) I don't like the standard Fender style cloverleaf tuners, but the Grover style with the curved worm cover in back and scalloped (not flat metal) keys like what Fender is now using on the Custom Deluxe I do find attractive. Hmm, a custom, with those on an Elan style headstock....hmm! Trekster - I wonder if the Orion body style would work well for you. It does have a sort of Ric body vibe. (Excel is another possibility.) EffClef | ||
| blazer
Junior Username: blazer Post Number: 38 Registered: 12-2003 |
Trekster that thing with top binding ripping in your arm. I know exactly what you're talking about, I have sold my 1976 Ricky because of just that, and I am planning to buy a 4003S the version without binding to replace it. comfort goes before looks and sounds. |
