| Author | Message | ||
| happy_face
New Username: happy_face Post Number: 1 Registered: 4-2008 |
I've searched the board and looked at the website, but I am still confused - Does Alembic still offer pickups for Rickenbacker basses and, if so, at what cost? Thanks! | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 6498 Registered: 5-2002 |
Hi Franklin; welcome to the board! The pickups page states that there is a "Rickenbacker neck shape" and a "Rickenbacker bridge shape". The price list page suggests that two pickups, volume, pan, and filter would be $1,050. So, with that information as a guideline, I think you could call Alembic, confirm the price and availability, and place your order. | ||
| happy_face
New Username: happy_face Post Number: 2 Registered: 4-2008 |
Thanks. Not so complicated.... I did hear talk that they were no longer available. Guess i have to pick up the phone. (Message edited by happy_face on April 29, 2008) | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 6499 Registered: 5-2002 |
If I recall adequately, I think there are a few other members here that have Rics with Alembic activators. | ||
| hieronymous
Advanced Member Username: hieronymous Post Number: 303 Registered: 1-2005 |
Hey happy_face - you're also at the 'Pit, aren't you? I haven't been there much lately but I used to be. I keep contemplating putting Activators in one of my Rics. I had also heard that they were no longer available, but when I spoke to Mica at the recent gathering in Northern California I think she said that you can still get them. I'm still kicking myself for not bidding high enough on the mapleglo 4001/3 (forget which) that was up on eBay a couple of years ago (I think it was nicknamed the Alemric or something like that), and I passed on a set a few months ago - I just like the way Ric pickups sound as-is! | ||
| kenbass4
Advanced Member Username: kenbass4 Post Number: 290 Registered: 10-2003 |
I second Harry's thoughts on an activated Ric. I have a '73 Mapleglow 4001 that, while quirky, just has that great Ric snarl about it that changing the pickups would, in my mind, take the soul out of the bass. However, it is your bass, and if you're thinking of changing pickups, Alembic would be the ONLY choice for that! Ken | ||
| happy_face
New Username: happy_face Post Number: 3 Registered: 4-2008 |
Hello there Hieronymous. Nice to "see" a familiar face! I certainly remember your moniker from the Pit. That venue seems to be whithering away. Absolutely agree with you and Ken abot the Ric sound. I have a 4003s I'll never alter. But i'm thinking about converting another - not cause I don't like the like sound, but because I really love the Ric neck profile. I'd like to marry the Alembic sound with the Ric neck. | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 6503 Registered: 5-2002 |
An alternative would be to order an Alembic with a custom neck profile to match your Ric neck. | ||
| hieronymous
Advanced Member Username: hieronymous Post Number: 304 Registered: 1-2005 |
This is the bass I was thinking of. I think this is the thread where it first showed up - as far as I know, it's still in the Alembic Forum family, or extended family at least. | ||
| happy_face
New Username: happy_face Post Number: 4 Registered: 4-2008 |
Thanks heironymous. I am going to try to create one. | ||
| hieronymous
Advanced Member Username: hieronymous Post Number: 306 Registered: 1-2005 |
Sounds cool! Let us know how it goes. I'm actually really interested in hearing how it turns out. I think I might have been confused about which family the bass I linked to resides in - it might actually be over at the RickResource Forum. Oh, and I am finally entering the world of Alembic Activators, but instead of modding a bass whose sound I already love (i.e., a Rickenbacker), I'm putting a set of Precision Bass Activators in my already-modified Fender Telecaster Bass - I don't know why I didn't think of it before! I bought the bass for about $250 around 15 years ago - he had a mid-'70s Tele Bass routed first for the single coil that was in the original slab-bodied P-bass, then had it routed for a regular split-coil P pickup. So the thing has already lost its vintage value, might as well make it into something I like, so I'm having it refinished mocha, and the Alembic pups and the humbucker wired separately. When these projects get finished we should start a new thread on "Activated basses"! (Message edited by hieronymous on May 07, 2008) | ||
| happy_face
New Username: happy_face Post Number: 5 Registered: 4-2008 |
The Tele project is a great idea. That should be awesome. Only recently came to realize that modding a good sounding/playing bass that has already been "ruined" in collectors eyes can be a good option for someone who actually wants to use it! Every bass i use now has been modded, via Darkstars and/or a refin. Now I can wheel 'em out without being totally paranoid about getting a ding from whacking a cymbal or a mike stand. (FYI - I bot a pickup-less Rick for this project, so it sort of qualifies.) | ||
| hieronymous
Advanced Member Username: hieronymous Post Number: 315 Registered: 1-2005 |
I picked up my "Telembic" yesterday, and used it on a gig last night! It sounded great, though I still have to get string/pickup heights sorted out a little bit. I don't have good enough pictures yet for an "Activated" thread, but thought I would post one live shot here:  | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 1190 Registered: 6-2002 |
i have an alembic powered strat which is a fantastically versatile guitar. Jazzyvee (Message edited by jazzyvee on June 15, 2008) |
