AndrewR Posted January 18, 2016 Share Posted January 18, 2016 Hi, After languishing in the loft for several years, I have decided for sentimental reasons to restore my first bass. It is an Avon Jazz Bass copy. The bridge pickup has completely failed and the neck pickup is way down on output. I want to replace both, but they are of a type that is unusual. They resemble tele single coil pickups and have crome covers. Both are scured in the same way, the neck one to the underside of the scratch plate via three screws and springs, the bridge one to a rectangular plate. The pickups are about 65mm x 16mm in plan. The recesses that they fit in are about 80mm x 38mm with radiused ends. I would like to obtain a pickup selection that fits in the original plates if possible, but this may not be possible? Also I would like if possible to have a bit more character in the sound. I've attached some pictures (strings removed!), to help show the details. My working bass is a Fender American Standard Precision, and I also have an Eiphone Rivoli, but the old Avon has a really good fast neck and a great action, hence my desire to restore it for occasional use. Let's say it doesn't owe me anything! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coldflows Posted January 18, 2016 Share Posted January 18, 2016 Have you thought about getting them rewound? There are a few company's around. Can't remember any of the top of my head but I'm sure someone will be around to say. Nice bass by the way. I love unusual pickups on relatively normal looking bass! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad3353 Posted January 18, 2016 Share Posted January 18, 2016 I'd agree; the simplest course would be to get the existing p/ups rewound by someone competent. I've a fellow in Germany who does this very well; there are surely many in the UK to whom you could entrust them..? This will retain the mechanical qualities of your bass as near to original as possible. He (she..?) could doubtless 'upgrade' the specification somewhat, if requested, by over-winding or replacing the magnets. Much better than trying to fit other p/ups, imo, and quite probably far less expensive, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chienmortbb Posted January 18, 2016 Share Posted January 18, 2016 Catswhisker, Kent Armstrong and others will do rewinds, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewR Posted January 18, 2016 Author Share Posted January 18, 2016 Thanks for the suggestions guys.I think that you are right; I'll look to getting them rewound or even getting a new custom made pair. Thanks also for the suggested contacts - I'll check them out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ead Posted January 18, 2016 Share Posted January 18, 2016 Also The Creamery in Manchester, offer this service (don't know where you are in the world). http://www.creamery-pickups.co.uk/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassassin Posted January 18, 2016 Share Posted January 18, 2016 I had one of these a while back. The pickups used on these basses are the same ones the Japanese manufacturer (Chushin Gakki, likely) put in their Tele copies - they're not a specific bass pickup. One of he pickups on mine was dud, I simply took the coil out of a cheapo Tele pickup (which was slightly smaller) and popped it into the case from the Avon. It didn't exactly sound awesome - but then, neither did the original! If I was going to hot-rod one of these to use as a gigging bass, I'd probably consider a pair of Artec mini bass humbuckers: [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Artec-Mini-Humbucker-Violin-Bass-Bridge-Pickup-Chrome-/371531876119"]http://www.ebay.co.u...e-/371531876119[/url] You'd need to modify the scratchplate/bridge pup surround but I think they'd fit the body routing. They are 4 conductor so you could wire them with push/pull pots for single coil/out-of-phase options. Jon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewR Posted January 19, 2016 Author Share Posted January 19, 2016 Thanks again everybody for your useful suggestions. I've contacted Allan at Catswhisker and asked him to make replacements, with some tweaking to the sound. I'm also planning to replace the bridge to get a better contact between the strings and the body. Decided to go for a Babicz Full Contact unit, which hopefully will help with a fuller sound and an improvement in tone. I'll let you all know the results when the pickups arrive and I have replaced the bridge! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewR Posted February 27, 2016 Author Share Posted February 27, 2016 The finished result! Pickups rewound and pottd by Allan at Catswhisker Pickups. Really great job Allan. I have also replaced the old rusty bridge with a Babicz Full Contact unit and re-strung with fresh Elites. The guitar plays a dream - great to have the old friend back and working after many years. The unusual tele type pickups give a very distinctive sound and though slightly lower in output than the one on my American Standard Precision, they certainly have plenty of headroom howeve, and cranking the amp up does not produce any noticeable background noise. The bridge unit is particularly good and full of tone. I'd also forgotten how smooth and fast the neck is on this old girl, a real joy to play. All I need now is the "Avon Rose Morris Japan" headstock badge to complete. This was always missing from when I bought the bass secondhand in the late 1970's - anyone know where I can get hold of one of these badges? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mykesbass Posted February 27, 2016 Share Posted February 27, 2016 [quote name='AndrewR' timestamp='1456587223' post='2990540'] All I need now is the "Avon Rose Morris Japan" headstock badge to complete. This was always missing from when I bought the bass secondhand in the late 1970's - anyone know where I can get hold of one of these badges? [/quote] You may be able to get one of these 3D printed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassassin Posted February 27, 2016 Share Posted February 27, 2016 Much to the surprise of absolutely no-one at all on BC, I've got one gathering dust in my spares box! PM me your address & I'll bung it in the post Jon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mykesbass Posted February 27, 2016 Share Posted February 27, 2016 [quote name='Bassassin' timestamp='1456605767' post='2990756'] Much to the surprise of absolutely no-one at all on BC, I've got one gathering dust in my spares box! PM me your address & I'll bung it in the post Jon. [/quote] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewR Posted February 27, 2016 Author Share Posted February 27, 2016 Thanks Jon, That's fantastic news and I really appreciate it. I'll PM you with my contact details. You've saved me searching around for what could have been ages! You must have an extenaive spares box.....😊 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niall6002 Posted October 20, 2016 Share Posted October 20, 2016 I have one of these in sunburst, also my first bass Christmas 31 years ago, I'm planning to restore it to its former glory for this Christmas, pickups are toast! not a bad bass at all lovely fast neck on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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