MXY pickups for my Tobias

[Nathan Corder (ncorder)]

I am currently saving up for my 1st Alembic bass, but noticed that you can possibly get replacement pickups for other brand basses.  I have a newer (gibson) Tobias Pro-5, which came with these cheesy custom wound pickups.  The electronics are okay, but I want to put some quality pickups in place of the current ones.  So, my questions is:  Will they MXY (or any other) pickups fit in my Toby?  If so, what is the cost?  If not, i am interested in seeing approximately how much would it cost for a set be custom made.  i can get measurements of the current pickups/cavity if needed.  Thanks!

[mica]

MXY pickups for 5-string basses are 5x1.22 inches. These will fit strings widths up to 3.50 inches above the bridge pickup. $480 for a standard set with either 3 controls (volume, pan, filter) or 4 controls (volume, pan, bass, treble).
 
Custom pickups masters are $350, and the silicone mold is $75. Once they're made, we can make as many of the custom shape you want.  
 
Depending on the value of the bass, you may find an existing shape that can be fit with a minimum of routing to save some money.
 
The pickups are intended to work with our electronics as a system. We don't so any testing with other electronics, so we don't have experience with mixing them.

[Nathan Corder (ncorder)]

Thanks a million Mica!  I'll measure the current cavities to see if the MXY (or any other existing shape) will fit.  By the way, is the above mentioned price with electronics?  If not, what am I looking at for those, too?  I don't care to keep the existing electronics, and I'm sure Alembic guts are superior to what is in there now, but it currently has 4 controls (volume, pan, bass, treble) and I would like to keep away from adding or filling in any current holes.  
I might as well look into getting the whole system replaced.  Thanks again SO MUCH for your help!  
Nathan

[Steve Smith (alembickoa)]

Those darn Wickershams are truly helpful people, Nathan. What's up wit dat???
 
Love is love wherever ya find it...

[mica]

$480 is for a complete system: pickups and all electronics. The  electronics cavity needs to be shielded if it isn't already. Other than that, if the pickups fit all you need to do is plug everything together - no soldering.  
 
You're too kind, Steve!

[Steve Smith (alembickoa)]

Mica...kindness is a gift...love is honesty. You, Sus, and Ron have never shown me anything but love.
 
Just bein' honest...;^)
 
Lovin' ya...
 
s

[Nathan Corder (ncorder)]

Well, perhaps the MXY pickups wont fit.  The measurements of the cavities are 4 1/8 inches wide by 1 1/8 inch.  Not quite wide enough for the 5 inch width of the MXY's.  Also, the string spacing at the bridge pickup is only 2.5 inches on my Toby.
 
Out of curiosity, are the 4 string pickups the same size as the 5?  If not, perhaps the 4's will fit instead (just an idea).  The Toby does have fairly tight string spacing for a 5 string especially for slapping, but I make due.
 
Also, are there any other pickups from Alembic that may fit in these cavities without having the cavities routed out (which I would like to steer clear from)?  
 
Thank you so VERY much for your time on this.  It is so VERY much appreciated!
 
Nate

[Nathan Corder (ncorder)]

Help!
Would anyone happen to know the size of the MXY4 pickups?  I'm curious as to wether they will fit in my Tobias 5 string.  Also, whats the maximum string width these will accept?  The MXY56's are a little too big for my bass, but with any luck the MXY4's may fit.  Thanks!
Nate

[mica]

4.110 x 1.220 max string width 2-7/8 inches for MXY4 pickups
 
You could try to use the Jazz replacement pickups and fit some sort of a ring around them to decorate the installation.

[Nathan Corder (ncorder)]

I'll bet the MXY4's will fit!  My initial measurements were approximates. Now that I've re-measured more closely, I'm almost positive they will fit!  The string spacing isn't an issue either, as my Tobias has only a 2.5 inch spacing at the bridge pickup.... less than the 2-7/8 max.  :-D
 
Thanks again for helping, Mica!  I've heard all sorts of great things about Everyone at Alembic.  Now I know it's more than merely rumor!

[Nate Pitts (cntrabssn)]

Nathan,
 
I have an older Tobias Classic 5, and had Alembic pickups and electronics installed quite some time ago. I have MXY4s with Signature electronics. The MXY4s almost fit perfectly. The pickup cavities needed to be just slightly larger. The luthier who did the work was able to easily handle this. I tell you, the Alembic package really improved the sound of that instrument. The Tobias doesn't get much play time now, since I play Alembics almost exclusively. But it's nice to have around, just in case.
 
Good Luck,
 
nate.

[Nathan Corder (ncorder)]

Nate,
 
Thanks for the great advise.  Did your Classic 5 originally have Bartolini's in it?  My budget allowed for either an older (pre-Gibson) Tobias or an Alembic Epic 5.  I really liked EVERYTHING about the Alembic, plus the customer support is awesome.  So, for now I think I'll just upgrade My Tobias until I can scrape up the cash for the Epic.
 
Let me know if your interested in letting go of your Classic 5.  I'd be interested.
 
Thanks again,
 
Nathan

[Nate Pitts (cntrabssn)]

Nathan,
 
Yes, my bass had Bartolini's. They didn't sound too bad, but they had the curved tops and didn't seem to properly follow the fingerboard radius. I had a hard time balancing the levels of my B and G strings. That problem disappeared after the MXYs were installed.  
 
I don't think I'll be letting go of the Tobias, but thanks for asking.
 
Also, you're right about Alembic's support. They have always treated me really well.
 
Best Regards,
 
- nate