Author Topic: Changing from AXY to Fatboys on SC (Read 141 times)

rneub · « **on:** April 30, 2008, 04:14:23 PM »

Hi,

I've purchased 2 Fatboys and I'm planning to replace my AXY's for Fatboys on my SC.
Any suggestions on how to proceed? Any hints or do's and don'ts from my learned friends?

Best regards,

Ralph

David Houck · « **Reply #1 on:** April 30, 2008, 07:32:17 PM »

I haven't done it, but as far as I know it should be a simple matter. Remove the control cavity plate. Gently remove one of the pickup leads by grasping the brown housing, not the wires. Remove the top two screws for that pickup and pull the pickup out while gently pulling the lead through the channel. Feed the lead for the new pickup back through and plug it in. Replace the two top screws. Repeat the procedure for the other pickup.

If your instrument has a ferite bead, the pickup leads go through this bead twice (i.e. they are looped).

If you are unfamiliar with how the pickups are mounted, go here. You don't want to over tighten and crack the shell.

There are several posts about setting pickup height here.

bob · « **Reply #2 on:** April 30, 2008, 11:46:31 PM »

Dave covered it very nicely.

The only thing I'll add is that if the channel (from pickup to control cavity) is tight, then you may have to remove the brown housing to get the wire through, and replace the brown housing. It's been a few years, but I think I may have had to do this.

So before you start, make sure you carefully note how the two wires are oriented in the connector (which sides). It should probably match the photo in the instructions, but just be clear you understand where things go.

jacko · « **Reply #3 on:** May 01, 2008, 04:48:59 AM »

I don't think the Brown housing will go through the ferrite bead so it would have to be removed anyway.

Graeme

FC Bass · « **Reply #4 on:** May 01, 2008, 05:59:13 AM »

It doesn't have to go through the bead I think, you can gently fold the leads and gently stuff them in the bead I guess...

(Message edited by FC_Spoiler on May 01, 2008)

David Houck · « **Reply #5 on:** May 01, 2008, 07:40:59 AM »

While my memory is not reliable, I feel certain I've run them through the bead before.

bob · « **Reply #6 on:** May 01, 2008, 10:25:38 AM »

I don't trust my memory either, but the more I think about it, the more I think my problem was getting through the bead, especially the second time.

And while I can't quote electronics wizardry to prove it, I am nearly certain that the wire really does need to go through the bead, come out, and go through it again - not merely have a loop stuffed inside.

David Houck · « **Reply #7 on:** May 01, 2008, 09:40:41 PM »

That seems right to me too.

adriaan · « **Reply #8 on:** May 02, 2008, 02:34:21 AM »

If the wires share a single routed channel, like on my Spoiler, then you may run into difficulties threading the wire of the neck pickup with the bridge pickup in place. Don't force it - just dismount the bridge pickup and gently thread the wires together.

Those Fatboys are loud compared to AXYs, and do add a lot of oomph. But to me they did not have enough sparkle.

rneub · « **Reply #9 on:** May 03, 2008, 08:31:17 AM »

Thanks all of you for your advice and suggestions!
I'll take some pictures first and get to it carefully.

rneub · « **Reply #10 on:** July 03, 2008, 12:40:19 PM »

I've changed the bridge pickup to a Fatboy and left out the neck pickup for now.
The Fatboy seems to sound distorded on the A string. It almost sounds like you have turned drive or distortion open.
Any idea's what could be the cause?

David Houck · « **Reply #11 on:** July 04, 2008, 08:18:38 AM »

A couple things to try.

1 - lowering the pickup may clean up the tone.

2 - you may be overdriving your amp. Reduce the signal going to the amp by opening the control cavity and turning down the trim pot.

rneub · « **Reply #12 on:** August 17, 2008, 05:40:48 AM »

Does anyone know the brand/type nummers for the brown housing & crimpled connectors that connect the elements to the circuitboard?

dfung60 · « **Reply #13 on:** August 17, 2008, 08:57:23 PM »

I think the connectors are Molex C-Grid parts. If you need to replace them, you should contact Alembic - Molex makes tens of thousands of connectors, so even if you could find the proper part number, you would have to purchase thousands of units to make an order.

There's a special tool that's used to crimp the connectors on as well, although you can probably improvise. Obviously, you will need to have solid contact for good signal quality, but part of the crimp on connector is a precise spring that pushes against the square pin on the circuit board - if you deform the contact, you may not be able to make a solid connection.

If you damage the contacts when removing the housing, then it may be easier and cheaper to solder the lead directly to the pins than to replace the quick release connector.

David Fung

roberto · « **Reply #14 on:** August 28, 2008, 08:26:51 AM »

Ive tried Fatboys on both positions,vridge only,and neck only on my persuaders.
For me,the best is the neck Fatboy bridge AXY.
I can stillget the s[arkles from the AXY, and more bottom from theneck Fatboy.
But itdepends alsoon your settings,pre,etc
Hope this could help
Robert