TrevorR Posted July 14, 2017 Share Posted July 14, 2017 (edited) So yesterday my lovely SB700 just didn't work... of course I need to give it a good going over with a multimeter. But I guess it looks like I'm going to be in the market for a replacement MBII pickup. So from a bit of googling and research it seems that there are three choices... Kent Armstrong, the guys from Finland and Reed James NEO Aria-replacements (though it sounds like the latter may have quite a lead time!). I just wondered if anyone has tried any of the above and what you thought of them? They all seem to go for about the same price. Currently I'm veering towards Kent Armstrong with Rautia in second position. However, I've no reason for that other than KA are in England so may be a wee bit easier. Grateful for any thoughts. Which might be "best", more authentic, beefier sounding... whatever. It will all help the decision... Edited July 14, 2017 by TrevorR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeFRC Posted July 15, 2017 Share Posted July 15, 2017 I contacted Alan (?) Armstrong over something and he was great - didn't end up ordering in the end but wouldn't have a problem with using them. I wonder if your existing pickup is fixable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bartelby Posted July 15, 2017 Share Posted July 15, 2017 I've got one of Aaron Armstrong's pickups in my SB Elite. As far as I remember, when I was looking, Rautia is a direct copy of the originals. Aaron can make you a direct copy, or a beefier version. I just went for a direct copy and it's a great sounding pickup. There wasn't really any significant difference in cost. Both were around £110 last year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norris Posted July 16, 2017 Share Posted July 16, 2017 (edited) Rautia Guitars do the most accurate reproduction. Got one in my SB-1000 Edit: Kent don't do a reproduction. They fit either a standard soapbar or humbucker (can't remember which now) into a MB1 style cover Edit 2: If you need a replacement "black box" pre-amp then Prostheta makes excellent reproductions - either with original 80s chips or modern equivalents that are a bit less power hungry. He doesn't visit BC often but I can give him a shout if you need one (and will probably give you a discount on his ebay price for BC members) Edited July 16, 2017 by Norris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blink Posted July 19, 2017 Share Posted July 19, 2017 I had a EMG soap bar plus electronics in my old SB1000 with no woodworking required. Don't have it any more so I can't give a model number. N Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoonBassAlpha Posted July 22, 2017 Share Posted July 22, 2017 Is there a reason the pickup can't be re wound? Should be possible as long as they aren't epoxy potted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrevorR Posted July 22, 2017 Author Share Posted July 22, 2017 [quote name='MoonBassAlpha' timestamp='1500682297' post='3339643'] Is there a reason the pickup can't be re wound? Should be possible as long as they aren't epoxy potted. [/quote] It's pretty much a sealed unit... a lot of the SB pickups were... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dyerseve Posted July 23, 2017 Share Posted July 23, 2017 Would be interested to see some photos. The pups on my Aria Super Bass looked sealed but it was just a metal plate glued in place which was removed with a little care. Underneath were two jazz coils and i was able to extract them to effect a repair. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkHeart Posted July 26, 2017 Share Posted July 26, 2017 I contacted Ghost Guitar Pickups up here in the North East and he reckons he can rewind them, thats if theyre the same as the ones on my ZZB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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