Alembic pickups price/maitnence

gerbera · #1 12-25-2010, 07:57 PM

Hey all,
I just got a new 5 string bass with active alembic pickups. I've heard that Stanley Clarke must replace his every year or so (I can't remember where I heard this), so I was wondering if there is any maintenance that can't make them last longer
Also the bass is a Copley 5 string that had been outfitted with the alembics. They are orange and look a little weird but sound great. I don't have any pictures right now but if anyone could possibly give me any hints as to a rough price? They are older and kinda beat up too
I emailed alembic but have not been emailed back yet

Any help is welcome
Thanks!

LuckeyLukey · #2 12-26-2010, 04:05 AM

Hey Gerbera,

I have read the same story about Stanley on Alembic Club.

These orange epoxy pickups are the old ,discontinued type and can be delicate, again so I have read.

Still, I think You have nothing to worry about if you dont abuse your bass.

SGD Lutherie · #3 12-26-2010, 02:16 PM

The pickups will last as long as any other pickups, and maybe longer.

Stanley had taken his brown bass and had it fixed up since he had used it on the road for many years. He doesn't change his pickups once a year. If that were the case so would everyone else with Alembics, right?

Epoxy encapsulated pickups should last for a very long time. They should be fine in 100 years.

The orange ones were hand made by Rick Turner when he worked for Alembic. Those are from the early 70s. I would write him and see if he has any info.

gerbera · #4 12-26-2010, 08:05 PM

Thanks a lot guys that helped
Also, I am a highschool student and I only bought the bass for 900 which I'm guessing is really good
If I don't get a scholarship I'm probably gonna have to raise some money and likely sell the bass
The bass originally cost 660 and a bartolini pre amp and the pickups were added
Any estimates on it's value? Or the pickups value alone? (I looked and found some one trying to sell them on alembic's forum but they had no price)
Again thanks a lot

**xed** · #5 12-29-2010, 08:05 PM

Well I'm not going to toss out a dollar amount but I'll just say that if it was me... if that bass was ever sold I'd find a very nice sounding replacement set of pickups to put in there before it ever left my hands and I would put those Alembics aside for future use.