Replacing an Activator Pickup

[rob_steen]

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]

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]

Rob, you can find an in-depth explanation of Alembic p/ups & how they differ from humbuckers here.
 
Peter

[rob_steen]

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]

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.