Where can I source a B-Band UST pickup - help!

slyd

Hey all
My mate got a 2nd hand IBZ EW20ASE. It's in great condition, except that there is a "dead" area in the middle of the pickup. No....it's not the bridge-contact with the pickup; I took out the bridge, and tapped along the length of the pickup, and sure enough, a non-response came from about a 1.5cm area under the 3rd & 4th string placement.
The pickup used in this model IBZ is the B-Band UST (under saddle transducer), it is 2.9mm wide, so the 29R model is required for a wide saddle slot (3mm).
I have tried all my local resources, without joy. There are 2 online sites which sell the individual part, but 1 only services Europe, and the other Australasia.
Surely if IBZ use this in many of their models, there must be distributers in SA which can source this item at a reasonable price?
in SA
Thanks
Dave

Gearhead

Why would you want to stick with only Ibanez? (or do you want to gouge people's eyes out?)
There are quite a few UST available from other brands and they do pretty much the same thing...

slyd

Gearhead wrote Why would you want to stick with only Ibanez? (or do you want to gouge people's eyes out?)
There are quite a few UST available from other brands and they do pretty much the same thing...

Because this pickup only works with certain preamps, and is thus a much more costly excercise to change both if changing to another type. Besides, it's not JUST used in Ibanez axe's, as it is not made by IBZ ! ???

AlanRatcliffe

I don't think B-Band have a distributor here, so if you really want to get one locally, you'll have to get one via the Ibanez agents (T.O.M.S.). Personally, I'd order one online - you'll get it quicker and cheaper.

Bob-Dubery

slyd wrote Because this pickup only works with certain preamps,

Maybe. Baggs make several systems which allow you to use a different brand of UST. So, IIRC, do Fishman. If you can use another band of transducer with their electronics is it not the case that you could use another brand of transducer with B-Band electronics? As long as the replacement fits there should be two remaining issues - impedance and connections, and I'm betting that most of this type of system will be in the same impedance ballpark.

AlanRatcliffe

There are a few different types of piezos (e.g. ceramic, coax and a couple of different polymer films), and each has its own preamp requirements. Some are interchangeable, but it's usually safest to stay with the same manufacturer.

slyd

Thanks everyone ?
Will let u all know how it pans out . . .

Cool
Dave

zohn

slyd wrote
The pickup used in this model IBZ is the B-Band UST (under saddle transducer), it is 2.9mm wide, so the 29R model is required for a wide saddle slot (3mm).
Thanks
Dave

This is worth a try: (the owner is Jon - he ships to SA)
http://www.shorelinemusic.com/amplification/b-band.shtml

slyd

Hi guys
Andy McGibbon's got me a Baggs UST, which he ensures me will work. Will be installing 2mrrw, and will post results.
Thanks to all of you for your responses ?
Dave

slyd

FeedBack !

The LR Baggs Element pickup I got from Byron at Andy McGibbon's worked just beautifully . . .
A GREAT sound, and good service! And it WORKED with the Ibz preamp puuuurrrfectly! 5 mm thicker than the B-Band ribbon, but a small sanding-adjustment.

Dave