Gibson mudbucker replacement Activator wanted

[hieronymous]

I have a '68 EB-2 that lives at my friend's studio in Massachusetts. Although many don't love the "mudbucker" I do. However, this one is messed up - the E A & D strings are fine but he G string is much lower in volume. The weird thing is that when you engage the "baritone" switch that cuts the lows, then the A D & G are good and the low E becomes much lower in volume.


The other day Curtis Novak was clearing out some EB shaped pickups that were set up like Guild Bi-Sonics. I wasn't fast enough and didn't get in on the deal. However, it made me realize that I would actually like to Alembicize this bass as well. On the Alembic website it says that the Gibson humbucker shape was available as an option, but I don't recall ever seeing any. I wonder if there are any floating around?


Here's a picture of the bass:





This isn't a high priority for me, but just thought I'd put it out there.

[edwin]

I have a '68 Mudbucker not being used.

[edwardofhuncote]

I think these guitar-sized pickups are the Gibson humbucker Alembic replacements... Mica can please correct the record, but I think the Japan-made AJ's were the only basses they were used on.

I would take Edwin up on his offer until some proper Alembic components can be sourced for that ultra-cool old Gibson. 

(I think you and I must like a lot of the same things!)

[hieronymous]

I have a '68 Mudbucker not being used.

I'm not sure I need to fix it right away - maybe if I head back east next year I can evaluate the instrument. Next year is Jiggle the Handle's 30th anniversary! Hoping to be involved.

I think these guitar-sized pickups are the Gibson humbucker Alembic replacements... Mica can please correct the record, but I think the Japan-made AJ's were the only basses they were used on.

I would take Edwin up on his offer until some proper Alembic components can be sourced for that ultra-cool old Gibson. 

(I think you and I must like a lot of the same things!)

Duh - you are totally right - wishful thinking changed the regular Gibson guitar humbucker into the mighty bass mudbucker in my mind!

My earliest vintage instrument purchases happened in 2001-2002 - I can't remember the order now but I acquired my first Alembic (a 1985 Spoiler/Exploiter), my first Gibson (the '68 EB-2), and my first Rickenbacker (1976 4001). Definitely set a pattern for the next few years! Actually, I guess the pattern was set when I was a teenager in the '80s and the music I liked from then...

[gearhed289]

Duh - you are totally right - wishful thinking changed the regular Gibson guitar humbucker into the mighty bass mudbucker in my mind!

That's funny - I remember seeing those on the price list a few years ago and thinking "Thunderbird". 

[gtrguy]

I used to have a 68 Pelham Blue Gibson Melody Maker bass with the mudbucker. It was aptly named. I kinda remember that the tone cap used was part of that pickups mud, along with the plastic bridge saddles.

I also recently heard one live played through a vintage Ampeg Classic SVT that actually sounded good! I also saw a Youtube of Free doing 'All right Now' and was surprised to see a Gibson solid body bass was used.