Alnico vs Ceramic SR5 pickups

[dlloyd]

When did the changeover happen? I'd assumed it was at the same time as the Sterling was introduced. Was there a period when both were being used?

Alnico pickup and preamp from "1994" SR5

http://cgi.ebay.com/MUSIC-MAN-STINGR...QQcmdZViewItem

Ceramic pickup and preamp from "1993" SR5

http://cgi.ebay.com/ERNIE-BALL-MUSIC...QQcmdZViewItem

[Rod Trussbroken]

This is the way I understand it:

Prior to circa 1992, the SR5 pickup was alnico.

Circa 1992 it then changed to ceramic with a dummy coil. A newer pre-amp was also included.

In the first set of ebay pics, the pre-amp appears to be the newer type and made for the ceramic and dummy coil pickup (in another thread I thought it was the older pre-amp). But the pickup shown appears not to have the dummy coil and is the alnico type. If the all the parts came from the same SR5 then the pre-amp may have needed replacement at some stage. EB has a schematic to modify the newer one to take the older alnico pickup. I believe all SR5 replacements use the newer pre-amp.

[oldbluebassman]

The first pick-up is certainly the earlier Alnico one however it looks to me as if the pre-amp is the later type, same as the other link.


I bought an identical 2-coil SR5 Alnico pup from this same guy last month. I have yet to fit it.

[Rod Trussbroken]

The older SR5 pre-amp had the Bass pot seperate from the board...ie it was a lug pot. But, at the same time, the Vol, Treble and Mid had pins that solder direct to the board.

The newer ones had all pots pinned to the board.

There may have been another "in-between" board before the current (similar to the pic) but haven't seen one yet.

[todd4ta]

By the way, the seller in these auctions is Bob ('The Swami') from the Bass Palace. I've bought several things from him and I've been very happy. I got a '77 Stingray neck that had a backbow and I returned it for a prompt refund.

[teonigil]

If I were you I would stay away as possible from the Swami (Bob) at the Bass Palace.
I got a 78 SR with non original pickup (EB) when the description said "All original"...
He never returned my emails.
Looks like there's a lot of action with part replacement over there.

[teonigil]

BTW, the original 87/88 harness had both bass and volume pots seperate from the board.