Author Topic: Spoiler Pickup Needed (Read 891 times)

essencetimestwo · « **on:** March 05, 2005, 09:59:19 AM »

I am hoping that someone out there has a good condition Spoiler pickup that they would be willing to part with. I have two 1998 MXY pickups that were in my 5 string Essence that I would be willing to trade or pay cash. I just received my new Spoiler and I am in love with the sound but my neck pickup has a bad ground. Please help me.

effclef · « **Reply #1 on:** March 07, 2005, 06:37:35 AM »

Simon, have you diagnosed whether it's the
pickup or just the wiring? If there's a break
at the connector you can have someone solder
it back on for you. The pickup is potted in
epoxy and it's more likely a break would be at
the connector. I'd be happy to check it out for
you but you can probably find someone local
to resolder it.

In case someone can find a match, does it have
ALEMBIC embossed into the working pickup?

EffClef

essencetimestwo · « **Reply #2 on:** March 07, 2005, 09:49:51 AM »

I removed the pickup from the bass this weekend and took a real close look at it. the connector looks fine and has no frayed or disconnected wires. I plugged another pickup into the preamp in its place and it was quiet. Not sure what is going on. I am only three hours from Alembic so I will probably take it down there to get checked out. That is unless I find a used pickup before then. Thanks for the tip though.

because · « **Reply #3 on:** March 16, 2005, 05:19:40 PM »

I don't have a pickup for your spoiler. But I am in the same predicament as you only I have an Epic 5. The neck pickup is maiking lots 'o noise and I think it needs replaced. Do you want to sell one or both of your MXY pickups? My e-ddress is:

bobkos@earthlink.net

Please let me know

essencetimestwo · « **Reply #4 on:** March 16, 2005, 05:45:12 PM »

I would rather sell them as a pair. I don't know as of yet what a fair price would be but before you replace the pickup have you checked to see if the wire lead for that pickup goes through a little ferrite cylinder? This is the first thing that everyone asked me when I started looking for a sollution to my problem. This happened woth my Essence. I replaced the pickups and they still made noise. I installed the ferrite bead and the noise is gone. This is why I have an extra set of pickups. Check out this post and others on the topic. If this doesn't help, let me know if you are still interested in the pair. http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/16859.html?1110200672

because · « **Reply #5 on:** March 16, 2005, 06:10:32 PM »

My bass is equipped with the bead.

Basically, here's what I'm up against. I have an Epic 4 and an Epic 5. I haven't used the 5 for some time but I brought it out a couple weeks ago to play it for a while. i noticed an awful buzzing with it hooked up. At first I thought it was my rig b/c I know my Epics are quiet. After chasing that wild goose for a while, I plugged in the Epic 4. Quiet... So - after looking for obvious faults and replacing the batter ( old one was OK ), I started swapping electronic parts one at a time from the 4 into the 5. The noise persisted eventhough I had eventually swapped ALL parts from the 4 over. As a test I assembled all the parts from the 5 into the 4. Quiet.... SO, I went after the pickups. They both ohm the same ( 11.5K ). I reluctantly decided to leave one of the pickups disconnected from the preamp and try. Quiet... Plugged it back in and disconnected the other. Noise stayed. Plugged noisy pickup back into other channel of preamp. Noise followed pickup. UGH!! A bad pickup me thinks. And no real source besides Alembic for this part AFAIK.

That's what I know about this situation. Any helpful thoughts

essencetimestwo · « **Reply #6 on:** March 17, 2005, 08:02:26 AM »

I am asking $150.00 plus shipping for the pair of MXY56 pickups. This will cover the cost of the new AXY pickup I need to purchase for my Spoiler

because · « **Reply #7 on:** March 19, 2005, 07:26:01 AM »

Let me get back to you in a little while. I have two considerations - Will these fix the problem; Do I want to play around with this instrument anymore? I'm thinking it's not worth it.

I only need a 5 occasionally. I NEEDED this one recently and it let me down. Boo to my Alembic for that. And Boo to Alembic support for completely ignoring my e-mail for help. I still don't know if I can buy a new replacement pickup from them for this bass or how much it would cost!!! It's all propreitary and it's all a secret I guess!!

You should hear the jokes about my high powered Alembic P.O.S. now that a passive Jazz Bass got the job done.
Yep - I'm frustrated.

essencetimestwo · « **Reply #8 on:** March 19, 2005, 08:31:51 AM »

I have had several dealings with Mica and crew directly. Fotunately I live near the factory. They have always been very helpful and have always gone above and beyond the call of duty. They are busy people but I bet if you called them directly they would be more than willing to help you find a sollution. As far as buying a new pickup I will share what I have learned in looking for one for my Spoiler. You can buy it direct from the factory but you can get a little better deal through a dealer. I would suggest Bass Central if you are on the east coast or Bass Northwest on the west coast. The price for the pickup I need is going to be about $140.00 shipped so I would assume it would be about the same for yours since they are very similar. Someone e-mailed me recently and said that the factory sells blems for $200.00 a pair. As far as the frustration with the instrument, maybe you are channeling your anger in the wrong direction. Maybe it has more to do with the fact that the bass sat unused for a while. I put my Modulus 6 in its case for several months when I got my first Alembic. I brought it out months later only to find that the wood fingerboard had split in a couple of places. Maybe a corroded contact is to blame or something of that nature. I know it can be frustrating but remember, your Epic 4 is just fine. Have faith and you will find a sollution. I know this is a rather long rant but I hate to see someone bummed with their Alembic. Just look at my situation. I bought my Spoiler not knowing it had a bum pickup. In the meantime I have really grown attached to the tone of the bridge pickup soloed. Maybe once I get the other pickup replaced I won't like the sound as much. When life gives you lemons...

essencetimestwo · « **Reply #9 on:** March 19, 2005, 08:32:00 AM »

I have had several dealings with Mica and crew directly. Fotunately I live near the factory. They have always been very helpful and have always gone above and beyond the call of duty. They are busy people but I bet if you called them directly they would be more than willing to help you find a sollution. As far as buying a new pickup I will share what I have learned in looking for one for my Spoiler. You can buy it direct from the factory but you can get a little better deal through a dealer. I would suggest Bass Central if you are on the east coast or Bass Northwest on the west coast. The price for the pickup I need is going to be about $140.00 shipped so I would assume it would be about the same for yours since they are very similar. Someone e-mailed me recently and said that the factory sells blems for $200.00 a pair. As far as the frustration with the instrument, maybe you are channeling your anger in the wrong direction. Maybe it has more to do with the fact that the bass sat unused for a while. I put my Modulus 6 in its case for several months when I got my first Alembic. I brought it out months later only to find that the wood fingerboard had split in a couple of places. Maybe a corroded contact is to blame or something of that nature. I know it can be frustrating but remember, your Epic 4 is just fine. Have faith and you will find a sollution. I know this is a rather long rant but I hate to see someone bummed with their Alembic. Just look at my situation. I bought my Spoiler not knowing it had a bum pickup. In the meantime I have really grown attached to the tone of the bridge pickup soloed. Maybe once I get the other pickup replaced I won't like the sound as much. When life gives you lemons...

because · « **Reply #10 on:** March 20, 2005, 06:16:58 AM »

Are your MXY's in good shape?

essencetimestwo · « **Reply #11 on:** March 20, 2005, 07:05:55 AM »

I actually just sold the MXY's. Sorry. I do still need a Spoiler AXY pickup if anyone is selling one.