Yamaha rbx760a

Discussion in 'Pickups & Electronics [BG]' started by PeaveyPlayer, Dec 8, 2014.

  1. PeaveyPlayer

    PeaveyPlayer Supporting Member

    Jul 15, 2014
    Winnipeg, Manitoba
    I just bought a yamaha rbx760a and one of the pickups is bad anyone know what Pickups fit.. hopefully an EMG
     
  2. JustForSport

    JustForSport Guest

    Nov 17, 2011
    Measure it, then go to Bartolini's site- there may be something there.
     
  3. I recall measuring mine and finding a Bartolini that fit (though I changed my mind and kept what was in there).

    However, are you sure it's actually the pickup? Have you desoldered it and put it on a meter to measure DC resistance? It's far more likely to be a bad pot or bad solder connection or broken wire.

    Here is the RBX 760A preamp schematic if you need it.
     

    Attached Files:

  4. JustForSport

    JustForSport Guest

    Nov 17, 2011
    I agree- test the pickup first: if no multi-meter, disconnect it and jumper it to the jack to see if there's a signal generated.
    Those are passive pickups despite the RBX760'A' designation. The 'A' references the active electronics, that's why there's a 500k bal pot.
    EMG's are active pickups and require power to operate.
    You'd be better off staying passive, if you do have to change pickups, probably.
    I think those are the same pickups that are in the RBX774 series, tho some think they are active due to Yamaha's bass' designation as being "active"
    despite only the preamp being active.
     
  5. PeaveyPlayer

    PeaveyPlayer Supporting Member

    Jul 15, 2014
    Winnipeg, Manitoba
    My bass is active and I'm assuming
    Volume
    Pickup
    Bass and
    treble
    When I use pickup selector knob one pickup has full bass but the other has absolutely nothing just a tin sound if I can I'll post a clip
     
  6. JustForSport

    JustForSport Guest

    Nov 17, 2011
    I still think you need to isolate the pickup leads straight to the jack to be certain what you have there, or have a good tech check it.
     
    nashvillebill likes this.
  7. Here's what the control layout is:
     

    Attached Files:

  8. Re-read what justforsport wrote: though this is called an "active" bass, the pickups are standard non-active pickups that then go into a preamp. The connection from the pickup onto the balance pot may be broken, or a bad balance pot. That's far more likely than a bad pickup. The pickups are nothing more than wire wrapped around magnets, they just sit there with nothing "electronic" inside of them.

    edit: Note that I actually have a RBX760A and I have been "under the hood" to look at how the electronics work in it.
     
  9. PeaveyPlayer

    PeaveyPlayer Supporting Member

    Jul 15, 2014
    Winnipeg, Manitoba
    cant get it to work but its verry tinny sounding on the neck pickup is that how
    well it sounds verry tinny on the neck pickup any even if its not a bad pickup im still replacing it... any specific ones that might fit?
     
  10. If it's not a bad pickup then why replace it? If it's a bad balance pot, replacing the pickup won't fix the pot. If it's a bad solder connection, or a short, then fix it...The neck pickup on mine sounds just fine incidentally..

    Unless you are absolutely convinced that you need to spend money--then go for it, spend away. BTW I think the original pickups are Gotoh but they might be Artec.
     
  11. Bass1cally

    Bass1cally Guest

    Jun 4, 2015
    Hi! I've been searching for a solution to the exact same problem. I have an old 760a that has never worked properly on the neck pickup. I've recently decided to dig it out and have a look at it. Could you explain what you mean by "jumper the pickup straight to the Jack"? I've re-soldered the balance pot as per the wiring diagrams but still the same issue.
     
  12. JustForSport

    JustForSport Guest

    Nov 17, 2011
    The best way is to unsolder the pickup signal lead from the balance pot, then using a length (12" or so) of wire with an alligator clip on each end,
    connect one clip to the unsoldered pickup lead and the other end to the signal terminal of the output jack.
    Then clip a 2nd wire with clips to the ground wire of the pickup lead at the balance pot, and the other end to the ring terminal of the output jack.
    This will run the pickup signal straight to the jack w/o any pot, solder joint, EQ to interfere.
    If the pickup sounds good, then the problem is some where in the signal chain and you can use the jumper wires to help isolate, then fix it.
    If the pickup doesn't sound (good), then be sure it is getting power (as it's active in 760A) and all the connections are good.
    If it still doesn't sound (good), then it must be an internal problem in the pickup- windings or pre-amp.
     
  13. The pickups are passive not active!! Yes there is a preamp but they are NOT active pickups.
     
  14. JustForSport

    JustForSport Guest

    Nov 17, 2011
    Ok, I thought the 'A' in 760A was for active pickups, but I know Yamaha (even in their ads say "active pickups" sometimes when I know they are passive, but with an 'active' EQ.
    Thanks for the clarification.
    Anyway, the testing is the same, just that there is no power to have to check for going to the pickups. And there is no preamp built into the pickup.
    Should be a shielded wire from the pickup, with the center conductor being the signal, and the braided being the ground.
    I think those are the same pickups (since they are passive) as in the RBX774 which are passive. I have 2 RBX775's.
     
  15. Make sure your battery has 9 volts. Check the output jack connection. Check pickup height. Then proceed with other options mentioned.
     
  16. PotsdamBass8

    PotsdamBass8 Supporting Member

    Jan 23, 2005
    Long Island, NY
    Since it hasn't been mentioned, I looked into replacement pickup sizes a while ago when I had one of these. I believe the EMG 35, 40 and 45 will all fit into the hole. You will just have a gap on the ends depending on which size pickup you use. I think the 45 fills it completely. When I was considering replacing the pickups, I was going to get the 35 or 40 and fill the space with some black rubber foam flush against the body.
     
  17. JustForSport

    JustForSport Guest

    Nov 17, 2011
    I think the Yamaha pickups are 1-3/8" wide, and the EMG's are 1-1/2" wide?
     
  18. PotsdamBass8

    PotsdamBass8 Supporting Member

    Jan 23, 2005
    Long Island, NY
    I'm not sure, I don't have that bass anymore. I could have sworn I measured it and they would be a match width wise, I even bought a couple pickups used so I think I would have lined them up side by side to make sure....but I can't confirm now.
     
  19. PotsdamBass8

    PotsdamBass8 Supporting Member

    Jan 23, 2005
    Long Island, NY