• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Maybe found a decent Gibson mudbucker replacement?

#101
I have a bit the same problem as Lunarpollen. I have a Rivoli that's waiting for an upgrade. I'm considering to replace the pickup with a Dimarzio Model One. I didn't know the Model G. What's the difference between the One en the G? How does the G sound, Aquateen? As fat as the original Rivoli and EB2 pickups? (the old ones?) And is it still for sale (can't find it on the web).
 
#102
I've heard that the Model G has the same guts as the Model One but it's standard humbucker size. I had to devise a surround for it because the original route is bigger than the G. the Model One is a drop in replacement, no routing required. the G has a better range of sound than the Epi pickup, which I didn't care for too much.
 
#103
here's a few pics of my Rivoli

bodycase.jpg

rivoli-2.jpg

rivoli-1.jpg
 
#104
I have to go with the poster who suggested wiring the pickup directly to the output to start determining where your problem is. To remove the pots and out put jack I tie a strong string on to the pot under the nut after I've backed off the nut that secures the pot just a bit. Then remove the nut completely and fish out the pots from inside through the F hole. This will make it a lot easier to pull/put the pot back through the hole. If you can find a dentist mirror to look inside would help. I'm in Pioneer not too far from you PM me and I will do my best to help you get that bass up and playing.
 
#105
Johnny Crab said:
That might also work in a band context.

Topic # 2:
Alignment of these pickups in an SX(normal scale) is VERY nice(pics below). I'll let you know how they do on the short scale later. Apologies for the naked tree reflections in the pics but it's the best natural light I can get in the weather here. I said natural light not Natural Lite.

RPJ_HB01fxd.jpg


RPJ_HB02fxd.jpg
Click to expand...

Nice, been pondering over whether to buy an SX and do the same thing for a few days. Did you have to make the hole in the pickguard wide enough to fit the whole pickup cover in, or does it just sit on top and holes drilled through into the body?
 
#107
EddieG said:
Nice, been pondering over whether to buy an SX and do the same thing for a few days. Did you have to make the hole in the pickguard wide enough to fit the whole pickup cover in, or does it just sit on top and holes drilled through into the body?
Click to expand...
It's not complete yet as my only "free" time exists between January 2 and Groundhog Day(February 2), band time off. I'll repost with pictures of the "build". The last time I did this(1974 or so), the pickguard was cut around the cover and the results were tolerable. Your "sit on top" idea would make for a much cleaner look.

JC
 
#111
Apologies for the delay(holidays, son off to college, my part-hungry paid-for car ate 2 weekends + parts loot, yada). I should get to it this week & weekend as long as Murphy doesn't show up.

I'm really leaning towards V-V-V on the setup....
 
#112
Hi ,

I've lurking on this forum for several weeks. I recently bought a reissue Epi Rivoli and also want to change the pickup. On a Dutch-bassforum I read that an Artec Mudbucker is about 3 mm (1/10 of an inch) too big. I'm also not sure about the sound of such a cheap pickup; the standard Epi pickup hums like crazy.

So the only other option is a Dimarzio One. Just curious; since this pickup looks like a humbucker, with the double row of screws, will it sound differently than a standard Mudbucker? Also..does this pickup fit my Epi without surgery?

Another question: I'm thinking about replacing the complete harness. Is there a substitute for the choke-switch? A bass-cutting filter perhaps?
 
#113
Epi Rivoli said:
Hi ,

I've lurking on this forum for several weeks. I recently bought a reissue Epi Rivoli and also want to change the pickup. On a Dutch-bassforum I read that an Artec Mudbucker is about 3 mm (1/10 of an inch) too big. I'm also not sure about the sound of such a cheap pickup; the standard Epi pickup hums like crazy.

So the only other option is a Dimarzio One. Just curious; since this pickup looks like a humbucker, with the double row of screws, will it sound differently than a standard Mudbucker? Also..does this pickup fit my Epi without surgery?

Another question: I'm thinking about replacing the complete harness. Is there a substitute for the choke-switch? A bass-cutting filter perhaps?
Click to expand...


Yes, the Model ones fits perfectly without any modifications. It has a very "classic" mudbucker tone, but has some wiring options for a single coil tone as well.

Actually, the choke inductor is a bass cutting filter... (although it may filter out a tad of the lower mids aswell)
 
#116
Johnny Crab said:
That might also work in a band context.

Topic # 2:
Alignment of these pickups in an SX(normal scale) is VERY nice(pics below). I'll let you know how they do on the short scale later. Apologies for the naked tree reflections in the pics but it's the best natural light I can get in the weather here. I said natural light not Natural Lite.

RPJ_HB02fxd.jpg
Click to expand...

Hell's bells... Now I don't know whether to go with my original J-P-J configuration or whether I should slap on a mudbucker like you did. Bet it sounds awesome. Got any clips of that?
 
#117
Epi Rivoli said:
Thanks for the info!! I'll think I'll go ahead and buy the Dimarzio.

Don't know about the quality:

Link Removed

Also Allparts sells them...

http://www.allparts.com/store/pickups-bass-pickups,Category.asp

What I meant in my previous post was that I want to keep the original harness intact and use something a substitute choke.
Click to expand...


Thanks for the links Epi!

When I installed the Model 1, I actually ditched the choke. Bass Cut isn't something I really ever use. I do want to do something else with the switch hole- so I'm considering installing a bridge p/u and putting a 3-way toggle there...
 
#119
Epi Rivoli said:
I've been thinking about a similair config (with an extra humbucker). I was thinking about adding a chickenhead knob instead of the choke-switch and adding a Varitone-circuit:

http://www.guitar-mod.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=V6B&Category_Code=MID

or something like that...

Do you have a reissue Epi or an original?
Click to expand...

Reissue.

I like your Varitone idea. I have an outboard varitone that I use a lot. I would caution that the Varitone is slightly less effective on a single-pickup mudbucker. It still works, but a lot of the "mojo" is lost on my Epi as compared with when I use it with my other basses... Not that it's pointless, but just to give you a heads-up. Adding a "treble" pickup would utilize it more, though!
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back