Author Topic: Pickups straight to jack? (Read 593 times)

jazzyvee · « **on:** September 07, 2015, 04:36:10 AM »

I have a strat with alembic innards that im using regularly now with a band i have recently joined. I have another custom non fender strat that i am thinking of putting alembic pickups and filter based electronics in also. However as i'd be taking both guitars on my gigs, i'd like to have a passive option on at least one of the two guitars as a last resort. I understand the alembic pickups are low output hence the type of pre-amp Ron designed to deal with that. Is there a simple mod using a switch i can wire to take the pickups directly to the output jack. I assume i can use a clean boost pedal driven from my pedalboard to make up the difference. Any views on this.

ojo · « **Reply #1 on:** September 07, 2015, 05:26:35 AM »

I don't have direct experience with running alembic pickups direct to the output jack, but I do have experience running alembic pickups without the onboard preamp.

Basically, my jazz bass is wired up w/ alembic pickups in a traditional passive setup. The output is very low, and I use a clean boost to make up the difference. You could use the gain on your amp to get there, but the tone is lacking.

A few years ago, some enterprising alembic owner modded his Orion with a passive bypass. Perhaps someone still has that schematic.

jazzyvee · « **Reply #2 on:** September 07, 2015, 10:06:48 AM »

I do remember someone doing that modification to a bass but I can't find it. I think he also added a passive tone control too. I don't want to add more holes than one for the q-switch and possibly have the bypass as a flush push button or slider switch on the back cover plate, I just want a fall back passive position so any components I need to do that should fit in the back.

adriaan · « **Reply #3 on:** September 07, 2015, 10:14:39 AM »

It was an Excel, previous thread is here

(Message edited by adriaan on September 07, 2015)

terryc · « **Reply #4 on:** September 07, 2015, 11:39:15 AM »

jazzy, Alembic PU's are very low impedance so their output is very small as ojo says, putting a passive tone control would limit the output even further, they are designed to run with the designated pre amps to get the best out of them.
What about a set of Fender noiseless PU's coupled to a TBX tone control, I put a Noiseless jazz set in my Squier Jazz and apart from being very quiet under lights they do push out more oomph if you see what I mean.

lbpesq · « **Reply #5 on:** September 07, 2015, 01:22:24 PM »

I think we may be getting caught up in the active v. passive thing. The fact is that Alembic pickups have a low output. As such they need some gain to bring them to the level of high impedance pickups. You can get the gain through on-board Alembic electronics designed to work with the pickups, and you can get the gain using an out-board preamp. I have an employee shopnight guitar that uses a Stratoblaster to provide gain for the pickups. I would expect a Strat with Alembic pickups with the Alembic electronics bypassed and an out-board pre employed to still sound more like an Alembic than a stock Strat.

Bill, tgo

jazzyvee · « **Reply #6 on:** September 07, 2015, 03:57:44 PM »

Hmmm, that guitar I plan to use is a Rob Williams strat with a mahogany body and neck, thick quilt maple top and rosewood board and is on it's third set of pickups and I'm still not completely happy with it's sound but it is a superbly built guitar.

https://ixquick-proxy.com/do/spg/show_picture.pl?l=english&rais=https%3A%2F%2Fs3-eu5.ixquick.com%2Fcgi-bin%2Fserveimage%3Furl%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fthehandmadeguitar.com%2Fcustom-guitar%2Fgallery%2Fshapeimage_3.png%26sp%3D01bf87013f0c836a929fdec2b4494074

It originally came with seymour duncans and I found them too edgy and harsh especially the bridge and more suited to rock. So I got a I got a set of SSH fender gold lace pickups which are also noiseless.
But they sounded a bit flat and lacking sparkle I was expecting from the guitar. So I had some custom wound pickups which sound fine at home in isolation but gigging with the guitar recently they sound pretty lame next to the alembic powered strat. So since I already have an unused set of alembic pickups I'd rather try that route instead of splashing out on another unknown set of pickups. in the hope I will find the sound I want. I figured since alembic use mahogany in most of their guitar bodies, then their pickups are bound to be ok on this guitar.

As for the passive option I just want to have a fall back position when carrying two active guitars. Hopefully it won't be needed but it's peace of mind.

I have other passive guitars I could use and will do now and again but for now I'm enjoying the alembic setup as it also gives me a different sound to the band leader who also uses strats and telecasters.

jazzyvee · « **Reply #7 on:** September 07, 2015, 04:04:34 PM »

Hmmm, that guitar I plan to use is a Rob Williams strat with a mahogany body and neck, thick quilt maple top and rosewood board and is on it's third set of pickups and I'm still not completely happy with it's sound but it is a superbly built guitar.

https://ixquick-proxy.com/do/spg/show_picture.pl?l=english&rais=https%3A%2F%2Fs3-eu5.ixquick.com%2Fcgi-bin%2Fserveimage%3Furl%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fthehandmadeguitar.com%2Fcustom-guitar%2Fgallery%2Fshapeimage_3.png%26sp%3D01bf87013f0c836a929fdec2b4494074

It originally came with seymour duncans and I found them too edgy and harsh especially the bridge and more suited to rock. So I got a I got a set of SSH fender gold lace pickups which are also noiseless.
But they sounded a bit flat and lacking sparkle I was expecting from the guitar. So I had some custom wound pickups which sound fine at home in isolation but gigging with the guitar recently they sound pretty lame next to the alembic powered strat. So since I already have an unused set of alembic pickups I'd rather try that route instead of splashing out on another unknown set of pickups. in the hope I will find the sound I want. I figured since alembic use mahogany in most of their guitar bodies, then their pickups are bound to be ok on this guitar.

As for the passive option I just want to have a fall back position when carrying two active guitars. Hopefully it won't be needed but it's peace of mind.

I have other passive guitars I could use and will do now and again but for now I'm enjoying the alembic setup as it also gives me a different sound to the band leader who also uses strats and telecasters.

lbpesq · « **Reply #8 on:** September 07, 2015, 09:23:21 PM »

Jazzy, that Strat sure looks pretty. Is it a set neck? Also, how does it sound acoustically, unplugged?

As for the passive option, I'm not sure I understand what you're trying to do? Removing the Alembic electronics from the circuit won't make the pickups sound or operate like normal high impedance pickups. You're still going to have to boost the signal before the pickups will work with effects or your amp.

Bill, tgo

terryc · « **Reply #9 on:** September 08, 2015, 02:31:23 AM »

Battery drain is very low so unless you leave it plugged in whilst not playing they should last ages so go for the Alembic option

jazzyvee · « **Reply #10 on:** September 08, 2015, 04:48:26 AM »

It's a bolt on neck Bill and I can't remember much about its acoustic sound but it's not as resonant as a any of my Fender strats. I wanted to get rid of it a few years ago and put it up on ebay. But It never sold and I changed my mind which is why I decided to try changing pickups instead. My alternative to using alembic guts is to use another companies active circuits. There is a Tone lifter from John East which will utilise the any existing pickups, you just replace the tone pot to one of his which has an active circuit module attached that will revert to passive automatically if the battery dies. He's done some work on my basses before and I'm sure he could modify one to work with the low Z alembic pickups. However I would prefer to use alembic electronics but I want a backup switch as an emergency fall back that's all. I may never need to use it but as i'm using active guitars a lot with this new band I'd like something to save my neck. I have some pictures of the guitar at home and will try to remember to post some when I get home.
As ususal, thanks for your input guys. I need find time to speak to Mica and sort out a filter module for the guitar and maybe she will offer a solution in with the wiring loom.

lbpesq · « **Reply #11 on:** September 08, 2015, 08:47:01 AM »

I always try electric guitars unplugged first. If it sounds good unplugged, you can always change out the electronics to get the sound you want. But if it doesn't sound good unplugged, it will never sound great plugged in, regardless of electronics.

As for your purpose, if I understand correctly, you are looking for a backup in case the Alembic electronics fail? IMHO that is looking for a solution where there is no problem. As you know, I have several Alembic and other guitars with Alembic guts. I've never had any of them fail. As for a backup, just in case, how about one of those Alembic cords with the Stratoblaster built in? Or just a Stratoblaster in a stompbox? Of course the ultimate backup could be an SF-2.

Bill, tgo

jazzyvee · « **Reply #12 on:** September 08, 2015, 01:26:52 PM »

Actually no, I'm extremely confident in the alembic electronics which is why I want some in that guitar. The passive option is just in case I have a battery fade or even or die.

jazzyvee · « **Reply #13 on:** September 08, 2015, 03:31:05 PM »

Hold the front page.... I may have found a solution. I have in principle agreed a straight swap for my Rob Williams strat, with the original seymore Duncan pickups, for a PRS 513. I don't know much about them first hand but have seen a couple of them on gigs and they seem great.

edwin · « **Reply #14 on:** September 08, 2015, 09:24:07 PM »

I'd say go for the trade! If the guitar just isn't there for you after multiple pickup swaps, I'd say it's not the pickups that are the problem. Bill is completely right, if the guitar doesn't get there acoustically, it will never be there when plugged in. Sometimes the synergy of the wood just sucks the life out of the sound and sometimes it creates magic.

It also might be a function of the tremolo system.

Keep us posted!