I just received a pair of Alembic Pickups to install in a Rickenbacker bass. A real newb question - only the neck pickup appears to be magnitized. It attracts metal while the bridge pickup does not. (No battery installed) Is this normal? Thanks!
The magnetism does not depend on batteries being attached - there is an actual magnet on the inside.
There is one Alembic pickup without a magnet, but that would be the humcanceller from a Series package, that looks like a smaller pickup - it's usually in the company of two bigger pickups that do have a magnet. You would also need the complete preamp to get the Series package to work properly.
I checked again last night. Contrary to what i wrote before, the bridge pickup is magnitized, but feels less charged than the neck pickup.
These came direct from the Mothership, so I'm hoping this is normal.
Can't help with the magnetism issue, but it's good to see the Alembicization of your Ric is underway - actually, my Telembic is on the way too - going to go pick it up this week!!!
I'll be psyched to hear about the Telembic as well!