So I just scored an old Ibanez Axstar with a faulty neck pickup--the passive model. Any ideas where I can score another, or does EMG or someone make a replacement?
Thanks!
BD
Thanks!
BD
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Help: Ibanez Axstar
- Thread starter justBrian
- Start date
I have an Axstar too, awesome bass. I doubt those pickups are still available but I could be wrong. If they ARE available, I would use them on a project bass!!! I'm pretty sure they are a guitar pickup, possibley with a different winding.
They are guitar humbuckers, for sure. EMG is a definite possibility, as they make both passive and active bass pickups in this size. You could also try EMG's guitar humbuckers.
The two models of bass pickups would be the EMG Selects, as used in the Steinberger Spirit basses, and the HBCS active pickups. The HBCS is a special order only product, and is pricy. However, it gives you that Steinberger hi-fi tone if you're interested in that. The Select pickups are very nice for the money and might be a closer match for the Ibanez pickups.
I do have a set of the Selects that came out of my XZ-2 when I put in the HBCS. PM me if interested.
Speaking of Axestars.....how rare is this?
Lefty and not black? About as rare as they come.
justBrian, I would say that $150 is still a fare price, they are rare basses and that one looks like it is in really good condition. On the other hand, if you can talk him down to $100, go for it.
lowsound
Speaking of Axestars.....how rare is this?
I never saw that color OR a lefty!!
They also made a headless with a full size body. I would love to find one of those!!
Hey Brian, I'll give you $300 for the Axstar WITH the broken pup!!!
I never saw that color OR a lefty!!
They also made a headless with a full size body. I would love to find one of those!!
Hey Brian, I'll give you $300 for the Axstar WITH the broken pup!!!
It's a prototype; they never made a production lefty. I don't own it; but if the guy who does offered it to me, I'd buy it. Chances are it would cost between 10 and 20 times what that black one cost you, justBrian.
You know, looking at that black bass, it sure looks clean. Makes me wonder if there isn't a loose wire or scratchy pot instead of a bad pickup.....did you have it checked by a pro?
I took it all apart, checked the pots, all the connections and checked the resistance of both pickups. The neck pickup is bad so I unhooked it. I have set of EMGs coming thanks to MichaelVee!
I have to say, in all seriousness, that this little bass it awesome. I can't believe how good it sounds, how cool it looks, how light it is. It's a wonder it was never more popular. I think I'll keep this one around for a while.
I have an Axstar just like danomite64's, cream colored but right handed. I've had it since 1989. It the classic tale, I got it cheap off a guy who got it in a drug deal. It is a fantastic bass. I just put it in the shop to have the bridge pickup assessed since it's putting out practically no signal at all (I haven't played it in a couple years since I play mostly upright now). Its good to hear the EMG Selects are a good replacement if I decide to go that way. Is it safe to say the Bartolini M3 is the same dimensions as the EMG Selects (3.5" x 1.5")?
I'm currently playing a Steinberger Spirit I borrowed from a friend and the bridge on the Axstar is far superior as far as setting the intonation. The Axstar bridge also makes it easy to take the whole top plate off and oil the tuners, which I haven't figured out how to do on the Spirit. JustBrian's bass appears to have a slightly different set of bridge saddles but its hard to tell from the picture.
I'm currently playing a Steinberger Spirit I borrowed from a friend and the bridge on the Axstar is far superior as far as setting the intonation. The Axstar bridge also makes it easy to take the whole top plate off and oil the tuners, which I haven't figured out how to do on the Spirit. JustBrian's bass appears to have a slightly different set of bridge saddles but its hard to tell from the picture.
