Alembic Guitars Club

Alembic products => Alembic Basses & Guitars => Topic started by: jackal on February 18, 2011, 10:53:34 AM

Title: Stanley's Bass
Post by: jackal on February 18, 2011, 10:53:34 AM

Mica,  Following bass is the one Stanley mainly used back in 80's-90's. In previous thread, you said all of his basses have vermillion core. But now I'm curious, what is the top wood?  
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/97181.jpg)
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/97182.jpg)
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/97183.jpg)
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/97184.jpg)
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/97185.jpg)
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/97186.jpg)
  Thanks for looking. Jackal

Title: Stanley's Bass
Post by: pierreyves on February 18, 2011, 01:45:37 PM

it's the same bass I was taken in picture at Montreux Jazz BUT without the metal piece on the peghead.
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/97200.jpg)

Title: Stanley's Bass
Post by: pas on February 18, 2011, 03:32:09 PM

I'm guessing Indian Rosewood.

Title: Stanley's Bass
Post by: mica on February 18, 2011, 03:43:16 PM

Vermilion top.

Title: Stanley's Bass
Post by: lalogarcia on February 19, 2011, 05:14:01 AM

Rosewood for sure!
I have always wondered why Stanley uses a series 1 and not a series 2???
 
He has had many Alembics.... Some with maple, Walnut, Ebony or Coco Bolo top; but Rosewood top and back is his usual choice...

Title: Stanley's Bass
Post by: lalogarcia on February 19, 2011, 05:29:38 AM

Mmm I did not realize it was Mica who said Vermillion!
Still it looks like Rosewood to me!
I know Stanley likes Vermillion for core wood ( he has also used Zebrawood, Cherry and Mahogany for body core...);
Mica... Are you 100% that's Vermillion?  
It looks too dark for Vermillion which usually has more of a redish look....
Please clarify ....
Thanks Mica!

Title: Stanley's Bass
Post by: jazzyvee on February 20, 2011, 06:18:49 AM

From what I've seen of Stanley live and on video's he's a big tone tweaker during his playing and I would imagine getting fast tone changes mid song is pretty challenging on a series I bass so doing that with a series II adding CVQ would be quite a challenge especially moving to and from a particular tonal point. Maybe that has something to do with his choice of a live instrument with less controls. Maybe for recording he possibly uses a series II bass.
Jazzyvee

Title: Stanley's Bass
Post by: mica on February 21, 2011, 12:44:21 PM

For Stan, Series I vs Series II has more to do with the master volume control in his playing path.  
 
Vermilion really browns out TONS over time. Add to that a much-yellowed finish, and you've got something that can look very much like Rosewood - until you take a knob off and notice a bright red ring underneath!
 
Indian Rosewood generally has a much more purpley cast to the color.  
 
Surprisingly, Vermilion and Purpleheart look very similar to me after 30 years on an Alembic instrument, since for both, the color is the main identifier and they both brown out so much. The last image in the first post of this thread would have had me calling Vermilion as a guess now that I've seen so many of these instruments.

Title: Stanley's Bass
Post by: skyboltone on February 21, 2011, 03:00:14 PM

OK I believe you mica but what is the thin light line? Binding? A layer of maple? What?

Title: Stanley's Bass
Post by: mica on February 21, 2011, 04:13:41 PM

It's a thicker-than usual accent laminate of Maple. Pierre-Yves is having a bass made with similar proportions now.  
 
BTW, you all probably know that Stan's old Walnut bass was the Brown Bass this one is the Red Bass

Title: Stanley's Bass
Post by: pierreyves on March 04, 2011, 06:40:36 PM

Have I ? Having I ? a?e ... I'm not having anything NOW I believe... but tomorrow maybe ==> ?