Author Topic: Identifying a Series Pickup (Read 100 times)

markman · « **on:** February 08, 2007, 01:49:16 PM »

Hi,
a previous owner has replaced the bridge Pickup of my Series I. It is an original Alembic but I don't know if it is for Series basses. It sounds different and worse compared to the other pu which I also tried in the bridge position and it has much more output. When I use both pickups in mono mode, I get a phase inverted sound. I have to turn arround the pu connector to get the right sound but then the ground is wrong.
How can I find out which type of pickup it is?
It has a dark grey cable which I havent't seen on series pickups so far, but I haven't seen many.
Can someone help me, please?
Thanks,
Markus

inthelows · « **Reply #1 on:** February 08, 2007, 02:50:44 PM »

Is it possible for you to post a picture? Small pics (resolution) work best.
This link will give some general info but there are quite a few people here that may be able to help out if a visual image posted.
Good luck.
NLP
Products link

811952 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 08, 2007, 04:24:31 PM »

Series pickups are single coil. Non-series pickups are hum-cancelling. I'd check them both with an ohmmeter. If they read the same, then they might still be different. If they read different, then they ARE different...

John

dela217 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 08, 2007, 06:25:13 PM »

To me it sounds like they are both single coil, but the replacement's polarity is reversed.

mica · « **Reply #4 on:** February 08, 2007, 06:32:20 PM »

Either the pickups have reversed polarity from each other, or you have one dead pickup.

To eliminate the possibility of a dead pickup, turn off the humcanceller trimpots (the two center trimpots on the back) completely counter-clockwise. If one pickup is dead, you will hear two positions with no sound with the pickup selector switch.

If you still hear both pickups, then we'll have to send you a replacement pickup. Its polarity will match one of your exisitng pickups, since it can only be one or the other.

A dark grey cable only signifies that pickup is made more recently than the other ones you have seen.

There is no way to externally identify a Series I/II pickup unless it is the oldest style with the connectors shown in this thread.

Looking forward to the results of your test. Please include if you have tested in stereo mode as well.

markman · « **Reply #5 on:** February 09, 2007, 11:09:21 AM »

Thank you all for your answers!
Mica, the pickups work both. I have tested all possible configurations (stereo mode as well). The replaced pickup sounds different and much louder as the original (the magnet is much stronger, too) and seems to have reversed polarity. It also has a different design(matte surface with golden letters).
The bass is a short scale from 1978 (78-1032).
I?d really like to have a matching pair of pickups on this beautiful old instrument.

Markus

lbpesq · « **Reply #6 on:** February 09, 2007, 12:31:34 PM »

Markus:

Just a thought - have you checked the trimpots for the two pickups to insure that one isn't turned up more than the other? Have you swapped the pick ups for each other (neck to bridge and bridge to neck) to see if the problem follows the pickup or stays at the pickup position?

Bill, tgo

markman · « **Reply #7 on:** February 09, 2007, 12:42:35 PM »

Yes, I have done all these things. The problem follows the pickup. Thanks for your input.

mica · « **Reply #8 on:** February 09, 2007, 02:10:46 PM »

There's 2 choices: buy a set of 2 matching pickups or you can send us the pickup you want to match, and we can cast another in the original mold and confirm the polarity matches.

If you'd like to make arrangements for this, please email me.