Author Topic: Looking for a pair of MXY pickups (Read 789 times)

90k6259 · « **on:** May 01, 2005, 08:38:01 PM »

Hello Everyone,
I have a four string in need of a pair of MXY pickups. I have the preamp although I am open to the possibility.
Thanks, Roy

pace · « **Reply #1 on:** May 02, 2005, 05:48:10 PM »

EMOTW...

bob · « **Reply #2 on:** May 02, 2005, 09:21:14 PM »

Lest we forget our manners - welcome, Roy (been wondering when you'd show up).

I'm sure I'm not the only one curious, as to whether you are restoring an instrument that had the pickups replaced, or doing a repair of some sort on your Essence, or perhaps piecing together a set of Alembic electronics for another instrument?

claudio · « **Reply #3 on:** May 02, 2005, 11:01:25 PM »

Hi Roy!!!
Welcome...
Check this out..maybe work for you..
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=22670&item=7319554136&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

90k6259 · « **Reply #4 on:** May 03, 2005, 02:21:59 AM »

Hi Bob, Claudio
Thanks for the welcome!
Well I took the electronics out of my Essense bass when I started playing five and put them in an Ibanez sr1205, I since have sold the bass and now I want to restore the Essence. I have an activator with the Q switch installed and still need the pups.
while I have your ear, I thought I'd run something by you. My essence is going to need a refinish. Now go easy on me for this...It was needed at the time... I drilled holes in the bass to acommodate some straplocks so I could use what is called the comfort strap. I was doing alot of heavy giging and blew out my shoulder. The only way I could play, was to get the weight of the bass off my shoulder. The bass is all maple and quite heavy.
So the finish will need to be a solid color once I plug the holes. Seems to be the least expensive way out. So after this long winded explanation here is the Question.
What color to paint the bass for best resale value? I,ve heard said. Paint your kitchen yellow for best resale value on a house. But an Alembic. I have only seen black and also a white one.

drjenney · « **Reply #5 on:** May 03, 2005, 04:13:26 AM »

If the holes are your only problem, consider adding an inlay rather than painting the whole thing. A couple of stars from Stewart-MacDonald would do nicely.

90k6259 · « **Reply #6 on:** May 03, 2005, 02:29:17 PM »

Hi Drjenny,
Thanks for your opinion... Yes the holes are the only issue... I did looked into having inlays...However when I decided to do the modification I thought, I will never want to sell this bass. Well along came the five string and I was forever hooked.
The bass is a real player and deserves the chance to live on... The cost of the Inlay work and refinish,to me would narrow the resale market reducing its resale value...

claudio · « **Reply #7 on:** May 03, 2005, 04:03:45 PM »

So, then is your essence a 5 or 4 strings?
Do you have a pic of it?

90k6259 · « **Reply #8 on:** May 03, 2005, 06:26:01 PM »

Hey Claudio
The Essence is a four string...I don't believe Alembic made a 5 string Essence in 1990... I'm not sure but I suspect mine may of come from the first production run...
The string spacing on the sr1205 was so tight that the pups and all the electronics worked out like a glove fit...
Sorry no pictures worthy of posting...
Maybe when I finish the make over.

David Houck · « **Reply #9 on:** May 03, 2005, 08:28:29 PM »

I've just reread this thread and I'm uncertain I understand the situation. Are you planning to sell this bass once you've finished the make over?

bob · « **Reply #10 on:** May 03, 2005, 10:09:44 PM »

And just how big are those holes? (we Need a picture) If the wood is as nice as we would expect, painting it solid to pretend they never existed would quite possibly be a mistake.

And if you're not planning on selling it, who knows when you might mess up your shoulder again?

I'm not sure I'd personally go for star inlays, but elsewhere we recently saw a bridge restoration that involved a few plain dot inlay/fills, which would be much easier. On the back, I might be inclined to go with something as simple as flat head brass screws. Especially if the wood and finish are good.

90k6259 · « **Reply #11 on:** May 04, 2005, 03:24:42 AM »

Hi Dave,

Are you planning to sell this bass once you've finished the make over?

...Hmm know what?... Just seeing that in print makes me change my mind...

I think... maybe... yup... Do I have too...ooch
It will really hurt!!! We have such a wealth of history together...

If I were a rich man! lada dada dada da. all day long I'd... oh ya ok I'm here...Sorry I was dreaming of Lemon aid...

Finacial considerations and a new Alembic will be my modivation.

90k6259 · « **Reply #12 on:** May 04, 2005, 03:49:16 AM »

Hi bob,
Their big enough for three straplocks to be countersunk...However not through the body...
No pretense here buddy just economic law.
If I do keep the bass, it will be for sentemental reasons,which could prove to be extravagant...or my best option.

David Houck · « **Reply #13 on:** May 04, 2005, 06:14:23 AM »

Without having a picture to look at, I would suggest that if you are planning to sell the bass, you might want to see if anyone here in the club would be interested in it as is.

bsee · « **Reply #14 on:** May 04, 2005, 08:09:44 AM »

Well, if Alembic has any pickup seconds, you could probably get a pair for around $100.

If you're thinking resale, a '90 Essence with some finish issues is probably going to sell closer to $1000 than $1500. I don't think any attempt at refinish would add to the value at all. Though rare, solid-finished Alembics don't seem to be worth as much as wood grains.

If your consideration is financial, you are probably best served to get some pics and sell it as is. If all it needs is pickups, I believe that everyone here knows they can get them from the factory for $100-150. Unless damage was done when the old pickups were removed, the new ones should just clip in, so installation is a no-brainer.

Good luck-