Author Topic: Question about Alembic AXY pickups in Aria SB (Read 153 times)

alembic83 · « **on:** February 23, 2007, 06:56:10 AM »

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-1pickups. 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 · « **Reply #1 on:** February 23, 2007, 07:01:30 AM »

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 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 23, 2007, 07:35:53 AM »

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

David Houck · « **Reply #3 on:** February 23, 2007, 11:45:28 AM »

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 · « **Reply #4 on:** February 23, 2007, 12:49:01 PM »

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 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 28, 2007, 02:07:56 AM »

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 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 28, 2007, 07:33:18 AM »

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 · « **Reply #7 on:** February 28, 2007, 08:23:22 AM »

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.