Elan with unoriginal electronics - what to do?

[Wehner]

Hi all

I recently purchased a mistreated Elan (with Vector body shape) in Denmark where I live. The full story is over in the History requests section here: https://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=28129.0 - but the tl;dr is that I like the bass a lot due to the medium scale and narrow neck and moderate weight, so I would like to improve it as much as makes sense.

It originally likely had a p/j or maybe even 2x p pickup configuration with few controls, but it was extensively routed to make room for two big pickups. I suppose the owner was going for what I would call the 'classic Alembic pickup look'. He ended up putting Bartolinis in. Probably these or very similar: https://bartolini.net/product/w4cbc/ 

The preamp is one of Mike Pope's, so obviously good, but one with a filter would make it much more authentic. I also really do not like the 'five in line' controls look on an Alembic and consider moving the jack back to its original position. Such a shame that extra holes have been drilled. Ideally I should have them used for something making sense.

A simpler concern: the tuning pegs were switched the black Hipshots. Is it possible to get the Alembic branded Gotoh GB707 anywhere? They are not on Alembics webshop.

I am writing here because I hope to get some inspiration for what to do next. I do not mind spending a bit of money on the bass as I got it relatively cheap, but on the other hand very costly options are probably not a good idea - then I should probably rather obtain an unsullied one instead.

Would it be an idea to maybe only swtich the preamp and leave the pickups? And how much would I even need to spend on an original Alembic preamp with filter? Or can you get good substitute preamp that is similar?

Thanks in advance for any input. I have added a few pics.

[Wehner]

Here are two pics from Reverb. One shows the look I think the previous owner was going for with the two nice, big Alembic pickups. The other shows how I assume the knobs where placed originally (albeit with jazz pickups).

[Spoilers!]

Hi Lasse,

I don't know my way around the Elan control cavity well enough to be confident, but I did notice a couple of things:

1.  As  you pointed out in your serial number request thread, there doesn't appear to be any change to the location of holes in the top.  However many were there to begin with (at least volume, pan and filter?), they seem to have been in a straight line except for the Q switch.

2.  Just a hunch here, but I believe five knobs would have been the magic number for an East-Meets-West package (volume, pan, filter, bass, treble).  That might be where where your bass started out, and might account for some of the components in the control cavity.

When the serial number lookup comes back, you might find out that the only cutting a drilling was for the pickups.  It might also be possible to order a complete electronics package (or whichever parts were removed during the modifications) including new pickups and controls and have your bass back to the sonic factory specs.

I hope this is helpful.

[Wehner]

I am talking to the owner of this basic preamp in the Facebook post here:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/alembicbass/permalink/10159188733679331/?mibextid=Nif5oz

Could a Q-switch be added to that one? Or even a separate Q-switch for each pickup (kinda thinking no considering there's presumably only one filter knob).

[OJ Dorson]

I have a full set of Alembic Volume, Pan, Filter along with Bass and Treble modules and the Y-cable to make it an East Meets West electronics package. That'll fill your five knobs. I even have an extra Q-switch from a JTex Distiller that'll work perfectly if you would like and that'll fill all your holes. If you're interested, send me a PM.

Here's a picture - if you buy all the electronics, I'll keep the pickups for something else.