The "Fat Boys"

[Michael Paskel (Mikey) (pookeymp)]

I've been enjoying my new Mark King Signature Deluxe for just over 5 weeks.  The sound is incredible...definitely in a class by itself.
 
But, I have been hearing a lot about the Fat Boy pickups and was wondering if this was an investment that I should be considering for my bass.
 
Does anyone out there know if this would make enough of a difference in my Mark King (it currently has the standard electronics for the Mark King Signature) to justify buying them.
 
Don't get me wrong...I'm extremely happy with the sound from my baby...but was just wondering if these Fat Boys could actually make a difference.
 
Any help you could give would be greatly appreciated.
 
Thanks.
 
Mikey/

[Valentino Villevieille (valvil)]

Hello Mikey,
 
I have a 4 string signature custom I had made last year ( as a matter of fact fairly similar to yours, coco bolo & triple omega, but on a balance point shape);  I put in Fat Boy pickups in it this year & I am very happy with them: I  already had them on another of my Alembics and since I  really liked they way they sounded I tried them on the signature as well. What you get is like 'more' of the same, I'd say. Sonically they are not that different, but they are quite a bit hotter, with a slightly wider pickup field and you can get some very fat, saturated/distorted bass sounds out of them.  Whether that's enough to justify the cost of the new pickups  or not, it's a personal thing; to me it was well worth it.  Another club member, Stoney, asked me about them, and I believe he ended up?buying them and loving 'em himself.  
 
Either way , that bass ought to sound like a monster if it's anything like mine, so you can't lose, right?  
 
Valentino

[Michael Paskel (Mikey) (pookeymp)]

Alright!!!...Thanks Valentino...that's all I needed to hear to talk myself into getting them.
 
Do they drop right in place of the old pickups, or is any modification to the bass needed?
 
Mikey/
 
P.S.  Do you have any pics of you bass posted anywhere...would love to take a look.

[mica]

The Fat Boy pickups are made in the identical mold as the regular AXY so no modification is required.  
 
You can see Valentino's bass in the Custom Showcase section. It's an amazing instrument.

[Michael Paskel (Mikey) (pookeymp)]

Thanks Mica...I will be placing an order for those as soon as I round some funds up.  Speaking of funds...can you tell me how much they cost?
 
Hey Valentino,
I took a look at your custom...very beautiful bass...I know you attract a lot of attention with that.  Must sound awesome also.  I'm gonna go ahead and get those Fat Boys for mine as well.
 
You mentioned that your's was a triple omega, but on a balance point shape...mine's is a triple omega on a Mark King Deluxe.  Without the 2 basses side by side, I cannot really make out a difference between the two...I'm assuming it's subtle.  Can you tell me how the 2 shapes differ...very curious.
 
Mikey/

[Valentino Villevieille (valvil)]

Thanks Mikey, I think your bass looks great too, obviously...if I had longer arms I might have gone for that same shape you got  
The difference is not too noticeable from the angle I took the picture from, but you can still see it; the balance point body shape is not symmetrical  (you can see some good examples of it without the omegas in the Alembic  featured custom section) and therefore  we decided with Mica that the side omegas wouldn't look good  at the same height, and the top one is forward of the bottom one, for a more 'forward look' if you will; the size of the omega cutouts is also a bit smaller, so that it's easier to play sitting down. Other than that and the extra string on yours, that's it.  Mica told me that It was the first time that someone had asked for a triple omega balance point body, and I think that may still be the case...so far..now I gotta post pictures of my double omega Essence w/pistol grip custom ( another first), with Fat Boys & Rogue electronics..coco bolo top ash body deluxe purpleheart laminates chambered body,and above all, less than 9 pounds!!!  I can play sitting up without dying for more than 1 hour! And I love the ash body....
 
Valentino

[Michael Paskel (Mikey) (pookeymp)]

Ah Ha!  Now I see the differences...very nice.  With that bottom omega digging into my thigh, the only option I have while sitting is to have the bass partially supported off the leg w/ a strap (which my back and shoulder are not particularly fond of).  Your new Essence sounds great...will definitely be looking for pictures.  And 9 pounds...that's awesome.  What kind of tone difference, if any, do you attribute to the reduction in weight?  
 
For the past 15 years I played a prettly light 5-string Tobias, and now that I'm getting older I decide to switch and add more weight to my back and shoulders w/ my Alembic...doesn't make sense...but for the look and sound...it's definitely worth it.  For my next Alembic...hopefully sometime in the not too far distant future...I may follow your lead and see if I can shave off a few pounds though (I have yet to weigh mine...but she's formidable).  I work out 5 days a week, but after completing a set w/ my Mark King, I know I've put in a serious workout.  But I certainly wouldn't want to sacrifice sound to save a pound.  Your thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated.
 
Mikey/

[Valentino Villevieille (valvil)]

That's the beauty of my last essence....I sacrificed nothing!  
 
It sounds as huge, maybe even bigger than its heavier sibling.   Part of it may have been my decison, as usual, expertly aided by Mica, to go with an ash body ( instead of Mahogany) which generally gives you a bit more midrange ( particularly in the low mids, I'd say). I thought the coco bolo 's dark tone with bright highs would complement the whole thing well, with good lows, mids & highs. Most folks who heard my basses (4 Alembics) think it's the best sounding one....I think it's a close call, but there's no comparison as to which one is easier to play standing up.  
 
To sum it up I'd say my essence could be compared to a small two seater with about 450HP under the hood... with great breakes of course...
Also I decided not get a back laminate ( in coco bolo of course) because that would have added more weight and the back laminate is in my opinion more of a cosmetic thing ( which I love, of course, but we're?talking about my back here)
 
At any rate, I think I can safely say that my next Alembic ( yes, there will be more) will also have a chambered ash body and coco bolo top...so far it's been the best wood combo I've heard on an Alembic that did not have ebony neck laminates...
 
At some point in the future I'm also going to have my signature electronics modified.  Rogue/Europa electronics are very similar in sound, but they have those quick tone switches that really rock, so I think I'm gonna have those added to at least the neck pickup on the signature. When you flip one of those babies on , I guarantee you  people will be looking at you.
 
Hope this wasn't too many thoughts...
 
Valentino

[Michael Paskel (Mikey) (pookeymp)]

Not too many thoughts at all...the more the better.  Thanks a bunch...this was great.  On my next Alembic I will definitely speak w/ Mica in detail about design/wood, etc, in an attempt to lighten the load.  The combo you used will certainly be a strong consideration for my next one.  For my next bass I was planning on customizing a Rogue and having signature electronics put on it, but after your description of the Rogue electronics, I just might leave the Rogue electronics as is...well, I'll probably add Fat Boys...but that's it.
 
Thanks again Valentino...I now once again have faith in the under 10-pound bass class.
 
Mikey/