Author Topic: WANTED: Activators for Rickenbacker bass (Read 284 times)

hieronymous · « **on:** April 12, 2007, 11:11:33 PM »

It never really occurred to me to ask here - anyone have any Activator pickups for Rickenbacker bass that they want to part with? I keep thinking of putting them in one of my 8-strings.

bigbadbill · « **Reply #1 on:** April 13, 2007, 04:12:54 PM »

Hey Harry, I just realised that it's you from the Ric Forum! Boy am I slow....

Man, you have the best taste in basses!!!

bsee · « **Reply #2 on:** April 13, 2007, 04:29:35 PM »

I used to have one of the Univox stereo basses and it was one of the best I had before Alembic. A friend of mine has it and offered it back to me since it hasn't left the case in 20 years. I'd take it if I could put some activators in it now that I'm spoiled. If you get it done, let me know how it works. I suspect an Activated Ric will sound like an Elan.

-Bob

hieronymous · « **Reply #3 on:** April 14, 2007, 01:33:38 PM »

Yup, it's me! I guess I'm just a Rickenbacker/Alembic/Gibson/Fender kind of guy...

I've got a 4008 that sounds fantastic with the stock Ric pickups (including a toaster), and since I plan on switching the string order on my 4003S/8, I thought it'd be cool to throw some Alembic electronics in there too. We'll see if any turn up...

bigbadbill · « **Reply #4 on:** April 17, 2007, 04:36:03 AM »

I had a 4003s/8 which I thought sounded brilliant,but which I sold to help finance my Triple O. Having stuffed up a couple of ebay auctions over the past couple of days it looks like my previously planned Ric 4 to 8 string conversion will be going ahead, and I hope to address some of the minor issues I had with my S8 as well as adding some preferred cosmetics. Harry, which order are the strings on the 4008? I take it the S8 had octaves on top(i.e nearer the floor). If you don't mind me asking, which bass do you think sounds best, and do you have any feelings why that may be? I'm trying to gather as much info as I can prior to finalising my details.

hieronymous · « **Reply #5 on:** April 17, 2007, 10:37:15 AM »

I thought that the S/8 arrangement would be OK, but I personally found it really difficult to adapt to. The 4008 has the root string nearer the floor (I like that description!) - like this:

I just find this to be so much more comfortable, both for my fretting hand and picking hand. But I do play 8-string with a pick 99% of the time. But I've heard different opinions on this issue.

Apparently, the reason all the tuning machines are the same size is so that owners can switch the string order, which is what I want to do with my S/8 at some point.

P.S. Is there a link to a page that talks about (and has pictures of) your triple omega?

bigbadbill · « **Reply #6 on:** April 17, 2007, 02:25:17 PM »

Thanks Harry. I also play with a pick most of the time, but I tend to favour upstrokes. I liked the arrangement on the S8 on the first 2 strings, but found that with the D & G I was getting more ping than anything else. The only other 8 strings I've played (early Kramer, early BC Rich and a recent Dean) had the strings conventionally strung as per the 4008, but as I didn't get on with the instruments generally it was difficult to tell which set up I preferred. I'm hoping to try and get to Simon Mole's before I finalize as he's got S8s in both configurations.

The one thing I probably will be doing is having smaller octave keys though; it may limit me in the future with regards to reversing stringing, but with my neck problems I want to get rid of as much weight as possible. I think I'll be going for the conventional stringing (like the 4008).

Yes, my Triple O is here:

http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/17907.html?1114763997

I just put it up for sale due to my back/neck problems, but changed my mind shortly afterwards; I'm hoping to work on making it more comfortable to play sitting down. I've pretty much give up on playing it standing.

Cheers
Shaun

hieronymous · « **Reply #7 on:** April 18, 2007, 05:08:45 PM »

WOW! That is beautiful. I did see the for sale thread - I'm glad you don't have to sell it!

My 4008 is definitely neck-heavy. I didn't notice as much with the 4003S/8. I think the body weight on the 4008 is pretty light.

You could always have the E & A strings strung one way, and the D & G strung the other! People have done stranger things, like stringing the octave strings to 5ths.

Good luck with the project!

bigbadbill · « **Reply #8 on:** April 19, 2007, 12:59:33 AM »

Thanks Harry! My 4003s8 was actually pretty light; there were about 6 various 4001/4003s in the shop when I bought it and it was the lightest of them all. Unfortunately, and probably as a result, it was somewhat neck heavy. I hope to try and address that as best I can. I've actually thought about stringing it like you've said, but I'd like to try conventional stringing first. Tuning the octaves to 5ths is something I wouldn't mind trying either; I never did it on mine.

ajish4 · « **Reply #9 on:** May 07, 2007, 12:36:30 PM »

If I could jump in here and ask for some advice?

I am going to order a new set of Activators from Alembic. I know, OUCH. But I've been putting this off for a LONG TIME. The ALEMRIC lives...for only pennies a day!

I love the FEEL of my RIC basses, but I need the QUIET sound that the Alembic pups provide.

My goal is to keep the footprint of the Rickenbacker electronics while duplicating the Distillate.

ANY suggestions, options, electronics goodies that I'm not aware of, (I've only owned an Epic, Essence, and now my Distillate). I love the Distillate sound so that is my foundation. Any suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated!

Tony

bsee · « **Reply #10 on:** May 07, 2007, 02:58:36 PM »

I would spring for Europa electronics in your position, Tony. Europa is almost the same as Distillate, but with pan control instead of selector switch. Make sure you get long enough wires to the output jack if you're going to side mount it on the plate.

You'll need a new chunk of pickguard, and it might not be an awful idea to preserve the entirety of the original electronics, pickguards and all, for reinstallation and/or sale down the line. It might also be good to figure out the best way to mount the battery someplace where you won't have to take too much apart to get to it.