Dear forum,
 
I need help with a practical question. My pickup on my Essence was broken and now I have bought a new one from Alembic (super service btw), and I want to put it in place. Now my bass is more than 20 years old, and apparently Alembic has changed the position of the screwholes on the pickup during that time period. The displacement is about 2-3 mm I guess (see picture).
 
Now my question is - how can I now mount the pickup? Is there an easy way I could get the metalic socket for the screw out of the wood without destroying everything?
 
I would love some expert tips on this matter!
 
Thanks
Johan
 

First off, full disclosure: I'm no expert. That said, I wouldn't mess with the sleeves. I would get a nut file and remove just enough plastic from each hole to be able to thread the two screws into the existing sleeves. If you remove just enough plastic but no extra, the bottom screw will prevent any jiggle in that direction and the top screw in the other direction.
Ed

I would contact Mica and explain your problem. They are always so helpful.

As to the words of wisdom above ___ INDEED ___ The only way to fly !

I have sent an e-mail to Mica. I am curious about the reply now!
 
thanks for the tip!

I, too, would wait and take Mica's advice.
 
IF I were to hazard a guess I'd say you'd have to back out the threaded inserts (I'm sure they have wood screw threads on the outside), fill the holes with a wood/glue mix, and once dry and solid, use your new pickups' screw holes as a template and install the proper inserts in those new positions.  I would be in no hurry to enlarge the pickup holes in your brand new pickup(s).
 
But as always, I'd go with whatever Mica tells you.
 
J o e y

If you decide to remove the threaded inserts, it may help to heat them with a soldering gun just prior to removal. This should soften any glue that may have been used when the inserts were originally installed.

I encourage you to do what ever Mica tells you . I would do nothing at all until then . Don't be that surgeon that removes the wrong organ !

As a temporary fix however one could make little brass adaptor brackets from sheet brass stock.   This could be done without modification to the pickup or the instrument its self.  Some hobby shops supply such  brass stock . I made my own brass truss rod cover for my Series I from such material .

Sonicus...or fabricate a piece of wood to fit inside the cavity either glue or using very small screws to fix it in place and then install the screw inserts.
 

1/8 ply would do the job.
That way it would still be 'original' unless Alembic have the old cast molds for the pick up and make you a one off.

Terry, yes ,   anything like that that will not alter /damage,   any part or the whole .

Weird! I will have to look at an old cast MXY and see about the screw holes. I didn't realize they wouldn't line up - learn something new every day.  
 
I will send you the right pickup today. Sorry about that.

Ugh. I only have a cosmetic second available today. It's not really bad, but it's not what I would sell as new. I can send it if you want.  
 
Otherwise it will be about a week before I can send a new one.  
 
The other option is to send you some new threaded inserts. You can fill the original holes and drill new ones and install the inserts in them.  
 
Sorry this wasn't a simple and quick fix.

Superwoman to the rescue!!!