Replacing an Activator Pickup

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Author Message rob_steen Junior Username: rob_steen Post Number: 14 Registered: 8-2002 Posted on Monday, June 02, 2008 - 4:28 am:    Hi, I have a set of Jazz Activator pickups on my fretless. I'm considering replacing the bridge pickup with a humbucker and I was wondering if this is just a plug in option? So, the question is can I just buy a new Alembic humbucker pickup and replace the one on the bass? I know I'll need to route out the pickup slot for the wider pickup. Regards, Rob. adriaan Senior Member Username: adriaan Post Number: 1890 Registered: 6-2002 Posted on Monday, June 02, 2008 - 5:13 am:    The Activator pickups are all humcancelling dual-coil designs. This is Alembic's take on the humbucking principle - so they don't make "humbucker" models as such. You can of course install a soapbar-shaped Activator (MXY) which has a bigger magnet and coils, and probably a different sound - but it won't take you into humbucker territory. If you're looking for a less bright sound, you might try a Fatboy, which has a wider magnet and coils than the MXY. All pickups connect to the Activator preamp with solderless connections, so it should be plug-and-play. cozmik_cowboy Advanced Member Username: cozmik_cowboy Post Number: 309 Registered: 10-2006 Posted on Monday, June 02, 2008 - 5:38 am:    Rob, you can find an in-depth explanation of Alembic p/ups & how they differ from "humbuckers" here. Peter rob_steen Junior Username: rob_steen Post Number: 15 Registered: 8-2002 Posted on Monday, June 02, 2008 - 6:06 am:    Thanks - I should have said dual coil pickups in my request. I've always liked the Fatboy sound - so I might consider that. More what I am after - beefier on the bridge with the single coil on the neck. I was just checking if it was plug and play into the preamp that I have with the activators. It will be interesting to see the tonal difference if I go ahead with the change. Thanks for the help. - Rob. adriaan Senior Member Username: adriaan Post Number: 1891 Registered: 6-2002 Posted on Monday, June 02, 2008 - 6:18 am:    I've compared AXY and Fatboy in my Spoiler (thanks to fellow-member 0vid). On the inside, the AXY is completely identical to the MXY, it just has a larger shell (same size as a single-coil or a Fatboy). The Fatboy definitely adds "oomph", but also loses a lot of brightness, compared to AXY/MXY. I loved the oomph, but couldn't live with the lack of brightness. However, I can imagine it will be wonderful on a fretless.