Series 1 pickup tone; vintage vs new

[KR]

I wanted to check in and tell everyone about the pickups in my '77 and '78 Series 1 basses. I've been comparing the differences in the tone of each year of pickups. My early '77 stock set has the leanest low-end, lowest output and is a little noisier than the other sets. The late '78 stock set has low noise, slightly more beef, and more output and midrange. I also have a new set of Series 1 pickups made by Ron and Mica a year ago; I had to have a set made because when I received my '77, the bridge pickup was intermittent and un-reliable. I later found another '77 bridge pickup to replace the intermittent unit, so I was able to make my '77 stock again. I wanted to like the stock pickups best in my '77, but the modern replacement set used in today's basses just sounds so much better. Speaking of the modern pickup set...to my ears, the output level of Series 1 pickups has increased over the years a little bit, and they are quieter in the noise dept.  The modern pickups sound warm, clear, and strong; just beefier to my ears. If you have an older Series bass that sounds a little thin or noisy, then I would suggest ordering a new set from Alembic. A new pickup set can be pretty transformative in the tone department; it's a night and day difference for the better in my '77. You don't have to change the hum-cancellor, I didn't change mine, but Ron recommends that you do.   

[edwardofhuncote]

Interesting observations.

I am looking forward to comparing my '77 with its original pickups to the '80 currently undergoing Mr. W's upgrades and pickup replacement with modern components.

Since the original pickups were cracked beyond repair, the only baseline I currently have is with the AXY FatBoys I had installed in that bass last year. Many days I think one would never have known those humcanceling pickups were not the single-coil type once the signal was passed through those Series electronics. They sounded absolutely huge.

Dave's old #77-621 though... I would not change a single thing about it. I even kept the same type of strings. It had the RF upgrades long ago, and it's quiet enough for where I live and work that I can detect no noise with the filters wide open. My older Distillate makes more noise than it does.

I like that they are voiced differently. There is that same commonality to Series basses... every one I've ever played has it, but they they are every one an individual too.

[KR]

Your basses are looking good. You'll notice a smooth and refined sound from the new generation pickups -you won't be disappointed. They have the Series 1 tone with added refinement from years of making them. Mica told me that the newer Alembics sound incredible, and these pickups are indicative of that. I'm assuming that 77-621 also has the new pickups, too, since it had the upgrade.

[edwardofhuncote]

In addition to the RF upgrades and new pickups, #1684 is also slated to have the Q-switches replaced by CVQ's. I haven't had any further conversation about it, but there was a choice of what shells to cast the hyper-matched set of three pickups; smooth/shiny like the originals, classic shells with the Alembic name imprint, or the modern matte black with gold embossed. I tend to favor that look most often. The whole idea was to bring that bass forward about 40 years, but retain the charm of the original build and the character its "life" thus far. She was played, and played a lot, but well cared-for. They'll sound the same of course.


I'm curious- what did your replacement pickups for #624 look like? Is that them pictured above?

[KR]

I had them made with the smooth black no logo finish like the originals were. Your 77-621 had the upgrade so it also has the new-gen pickups. Those pickups are such a big part of the sound, as the well as the maple/purpleheart stock necks. Very consistent tone from bass to bass, though both my basses have a distinct personality.

[edwin]

I have used various vintages of Alembic pickups and for pure tone, my favorites are these caramel pickups with trapezoid magnets. They are a bit noisier than more modern pickups, but they have a great tone. Maybe it's the low impedance (700 ohm resistance).


Huge thanks to Ron for doing some delicate surgery on them to get them going again.

[sonicus]

My 73-32 has such pickups as well . Very grateful I am to Ron , for the work that he did on 73-32 !

[rv_bass]

I have the older style pickups with the screw tabs on one of my basses, there is something about the tone from those pickups, it’s my favorite sounding Alembic bass.