Author Topic: **ALEMBIC ~ 1986 P-F6 Curcuit Card NEW - no longer made (Read 346 times)

barryr1 · « **on:** October 05, 2008, 05:13:19 PM »

Can anyone tell me what this is? I have a set of alembic strat pickups. If I get this what else do I need

elwoodblue · « **Reply #1 on:** October 05, 2008, 05:46:32 PM »

That is the 'brain' for series instruments,
I've got my eye on that also for my '78 guitar that had alot of wires cut when I received it.

barryr1 · « **Reply #2 on:** October 05, 2008, 05:51:00 PM »

Let me know what you're going to do. If you're going to bid on it I probably won't bid against you. But I need one so if not I will try to win it. Mine won't be going into an alembic but in a custom being made by a friend so if you buy it maybe we could make a deal on your old one.

br

elwoodblue · « **Reply #3 on:** October 05, 2008, 06:02:49 PM »

I'll keep communication open.
I have some activator pickup controls that we might be able to negotiate a deal with...that is what is normally used with the aftermarket alembic pickups...with a typical 3 way switch before them.

kris

barryr1 · « **Reply #4 on:** October 05, 2008, 06:09:18 PM »

so if I understand correctly, the board is really made to be used with the pickups in the series guitar (like I have now) but would really not work well with the actual strat pickups. I'm having a guitar made and am still learning the electronic side.

elwoodblue · « **Reply #5 on:** October 05, 2008, 09:45:52 PM »

Barry,
I hope someone else will chime in to answer your question accurately...I bet your strat pickups could work with the pf-6 card...your right that it's designed to work with the series package.

I'll find my activator contols and post a photo and test them when I get a chance.

David Houck · « **Reply #6 on:** October 06, 2008, 05:42:15 PM »

It would be my assumption that the PF-6 card needs to be part of a set of Series I or II electronics. The three wires coming from the card go to the two single coil Series pickups and the hum canceling dummy pickup. The two center adjusting pots, of the four on the card, are used to adjust the relationship between the Series pickups and the hum canceler. Thus, it seems doubtful to me that this card could be used with any other Alembic pickups including the Strat pickups Barry has. However, there have been rare cases were Alembic built a Series bass but used AXY's; but I don't know what other modifications that would have required. As Elwood has suggested, the best use of the Alembic strat style pickups would probably be with an Activator harness, or probably any non-Series Alembic electronics package, with either a three way switch or individual on/off switches for the pickups. It would also be my guess that trying to match the pickups with a non-Alembic preamp might raise some impedance difference issues.

I'm not an electronics expert. This is my guess based on what I've gleaned from reading the threads here.

barryr1 · « **Reply #7 on:** October 06, 2008, 05:51:23 PM »

Thats a great explanation. Thanks Dave

Hey Elwood. I'm out of your way. If you have something that can help me out let me know.

thanks guys

barry

David Houck · « **Reply #8 on:** October 06, 2008, 05:51:51 PM »

The ad itself is somewhat interesting. For instance, I would never have thought that the 1986 card is better made than what is available today. But I also found the guarantee to be interesting; No returns accepted on this item, it is guaranteed to be in perfect condition.

(Message edited by davehouck on October 06, 2008)

mica · « **Reply #9 on:** October 06, 2008, 06:39:45 PM »

This card is the preamp for Series I/II electronics. It's designed to work with our single coil pickups and humcancelling pickup and Series I/II electronics. It's almost certainly from 1979. For over 20 years, this part has carried a retail price of $350.00.

It does have the original Harris 911 chips on it. These were actually discontinued before we started making the PF series of electronics, but we bought a big batch of them, never once thinking we'd ever run out! The surface mounted chips are what distinguish the PF-6 from the PF-6B boards that we used until a couple of weeks ago. PF-6B board have through hole mounted chips. My dad made a new version (PF-6C) of that accepts the additional components needed for the calibration/RF upgrade much easier.

The Strat shaped pickups we sell are not single coils, so while I suppose you could use this preamp with them, you would need to turn off the 2 humcancelling controls in the middle, and then you can only use it with 2 pickups, which is pretty un-Stratlike.

elwoodblue · « **Reply #10 on:** October 06, 2008, 08:17:27 PM »

Mica,
Thank you for the concise information.
I look forward to sending my '78 guitar to Santa Rosa sometime...seeing that the new version of PF-6 board is priced within reach I won't be bidding on the auction.

Barry,
I have to sort thru my parts boxes...I'll try and post pictures of my activators I can part with...I have a few sets and I know one of them has some issues so I will have to do a mock up installation to make sure which is which.

kris

barryr1 · « **Reply #11 on:** October 06, 2008, 11:08:44 PM »

Hey Kris

I don't even know what I need I guess. I thought that I needed a preamp. I have two used Alembic strat shaped pickups. I figured that I could mount them tele style and get a unique tone or suppliment them with a humbucker shape and get something altogether different. Now I really don't know what I have or need. Sounds like you're a few steps ahead of me. No rush.

thanks

Barry

elwoodblue · « **Reply #12 on:** October 06, 2008, 11:31:02 PM »

No prob...I like not being in a rush
You are thinking right...the activator preamp and tone control would be the correct compliment to your pickups.

I have alot of projects that progress slowly and it's great when that means they are well thought out.

lbpesq · « **Reply #13 on:** October 07, 2008, 06:48:21 AM »

Barry:

I have an Alembic employee Shopnight guitar. You can see it here. It uses two Alembic strat style hum cancelling pickups and an Alembic Stratoblaster (now called Blaster) as the preamp circuit. I suspect this might be the quickest, most economical way to get you going.

Bill, tgo

barryr1 · « **Reply #14 on:** October 07, 2008, 04:25:31 PM »

Hi Bill,

I remember seeing this posted a while back. Nice find. I already had the pickups and had bid on a stratoblaster a time or two. Are the activators the electronics or the pickups or both together? I have a friend who builds professional instruments in oregon. We've been talking about a project and I suggested the alembic pickups, but we are only in the talking the format stage. He typically uses barts and his guitars although unconventional really scream. I haven't decided on adding a humbucker shape and make it a three pickup or use the tele config but it will likely be a baritone.