Alembic Guitars Club

Alembic products => Alembic Basses & Guitars => Topic started by: fran4001 on July 27, 2009, 09:25:40 AM

Title: Finally! (and a quick hello!)
Post by: fran4001 on July 27, 2009, 09:25:40 AM

The name's Fran, from northeast PA, and I've finally joined the club! Just got a '91 Essence, and love it.After 35 years of playing yet! I have 24 other basses, various Fenders, Ricks, Hofners and Gibsons, but right now the Essence hasn't been put down, other than sleep, for 4 days now!  Looking around the site now, to check on her birthdate and construction, so I'll be back with comments and questions for sure. Seems to be a very attractive flame maple. Just had to show up and jump up and down with like-minded folks!

Title: Finally! (and a quick hello!)
Post by: fran4001 on July 27, 2009, 09:28:03 AM

Oh, and I must add that the website and forum are excellent, with perhaps THE best tech FAQ categories I've ever encountered.

Title: Finally! (and a quick hello!)
Post by: David Houck on July 27, 2009, 09:36:58 AM

Hi Fran; welcome to the board and congrats on the Essence!

Title: Finally! (and a quick hello!)
Post by: fran4001 on July 27, 2009, 01:19:22 PM

Thanks Dave! I'm as happy as a clam! I realize I should be getting all warm and fuzzy down in the proper Introductions or Community forums, so off I go.

Title: Finally! (and a quick hello!)
Post by: fran4001 on July 27, 2009, 01:27:00 PM

Edited due to duplicate message and/or operator error. (me!)
 
(Message edited by fran4001 on July 27, 2009)

Title: Finally! (and a quick hello!)
Post by: funkyjazzjunky on July 27, 2009, 02:06:05 PM

Welcome Fran!

Title: Finally! (and a quick hello!)
Post by: pauldo on July 27, 2009, 03:35:44 PM

Welcome Fran - pictures, pictures we like pictures! And we love Alembics!

Title: Finally! (and a quick hello!)
Post by: fran4001 on July 27, 2009, 04:14:24 PM

Okay okay! I love pics too. Hoping for later this week. Brutal schedule, plus the old girl needs a good cleanup. Working on polishing the frets, cleaning the ebony, and the tailpiece is likely beyond a basic cleaning. That said, I'm going to Scotchbrite that, polish and re-clearcoat. The bridge should respond to a good cleaning only. Only other project is replacing two pickup screws which were missing, which I've already ordered from headquarters. Then she'll be ready to show off. Biggest impediment so far is that I can't stop playing it long enough to work on it! Good problem I suppose...I'll do my best.

Title: Finally! (and a quick hello!)
Post by: artswork99 on July 27, 2009, 04:31:00 PM

Hi Fran,  
Welcome!  Congratulations on the Essence!  Enjoy yourself around here.
Play it Healthy!
Art

Title: Finally! (and a quick hello!)
Post by: fran4001 on July 27, 2009, 05:04:34 PM

Thanks all! Warm and fuzzy feeling for sure. Aided by a beautiful summer night finally, and a few Guinnesses. All in good health of course! Cleaning up the old girl as we speak.

Title: Finally! (and a quick hello!)
Post by: pauldo on July 27, 2009, 05:10:29 PM

Fran - not to offend but are you sure that the pickup screws are missing?
 
Normal setup for Alembic pickups is two visible height adjustment screws diagonal from each other, the other two are 'hidden' underneath the pickup. The two visible set the top limit/ position of the pickup while the hidden ones set the bottom limit/ position. Then betwix the two sets they firmly hole the pickup in position.

Title: Finally! (and a quick hello!)
Post by: fran4001 on July 27, 2009, 06:59:50 PM

Hmmm....Let me look. Seems at the moment I have 3 visible on top on the neck pickup, and all 4 visible on top on the bridge pickup. Haven't had it apart to check underneath though I intend to tomorrow. Wonder why the previous owner has them all on top?

Title: Finally! (and a quick hello!)
Post by: David Houck on July 27, 2009, 07:22:41 PM

You'll need to remount the pickups, which should be a fairly easy process once you have the correct screws.  I'm assuming you ordered the screws here (http://alembic.stores.yahoo.net/pickupscrews.html).  It's a good idea to take your time when adjusting pickup heights and angles; if you're not careful you can accidentally crack the pickup shell by over tightening a screw.

Title: Finally! (and a quick hello!)
Post by: fran4001 on July 27, 2009, 07:50:55 PM

Yes indeed, got the screws there!! I'll do a total redo on them, using the info here. Already knew about the overtightening scenario. Again, very odd that the previous fella had all the corners but one screwed down, albeit not overtight thankfully.  
Thanks for pointing this out too folks! I looked at pics and just didn't see the two diagonally positioned screws each. I'll report back!

Title: Finally! (and a quick hello!)
Post by: terryc on July 28, 2009, 01:58:48 AM

fran4001..we need eye candy pics please, we are all anoraks when it comes to Alembics here.Post a pic or two plus some of your collection so we can drool into our beers when we are at our PC'.
Oh yes, welcome to our world

Title: Finally! (and a quick hello!)
Post by: bassilisk on July 28, 2009, 05:20:11 AM

Welcome Fran! You've clearly discovered that Alembic's live up to the hype. I also have a couple of dozen basses that are varied and quite excellent but the Alembics stand alone. Let's see it!

Title: Finally! (and a quick hello!)
Post by: artswork99 on July 28, 2009, 05:25:14 AM

Here is a thread (http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=1420) indicating why a user may reposition the screws in another way.

Title: Finally! (and a quick hello!)
Post by: xlrogue6 on July 28, 2009, 08:38:44 AM

With a bit of practice, the Alembic method allows any kind of pickup angling one might wish--I would say more so than other methods.  YMMV, but that's my conclusion after setting up several hundred basses over the years.  The screws, BTW, can be acquired at most hardware stores--they're 6-32 pan head--make sure to buy stainless steel!

Title: Finally! (and a quick hello!)
Post by: chalie_holmes on July 28, 2009, 01:25:34 PM

Yo Fran!
Chalie Holmes here..Do you Know Tom Steidle? He Lives in Scranton and plays double bass in the Williamspport Symphony. I live here in Williamsport! Get some sleep man!

Title: Finally! (and a quick hello!)
Post by: fran4001 on July 28, 2009, 03:44:15 PM

Oh well, regarding the screws, I already had purchased them at the Alembic store before I knew I didn't need them, so my bad! I'll just keep them and give them away to forum members who may need them occasionally. And Chalie, I'll plead the 5th here regarding Tom. I've been playing here for 35 years and haven't heard of him. Granted, we run in different crowds, but I'm surprised I haven't heard the name. Shame on me! Not many active upright players here in Scranton, I own one and play one, but not for a living!  
Doug Smith, Joe Cole and Tony Marino are the cream of the crop here. And again, thanks to all for the extremely warm welcome. I promise as soon as I move my Mom this week and get my gigs out of the way, I'll post pics.

Title: Finally! (and a quick hello!)
Post by: fran4001 on August 10, 2009, 04:31:39 PM

Wow, what a week! Way too busy, but as promised, a pic or two of the old gal. Enjoy!
 
http://s195.photobucket.com/albums/z229/fran4001/ (http://s195.photobucket.com/albums/z229/fran4001/)

Title: Finally! (and a quick hello!)
Post by: fran4001 on August 10, 2009, 04:34:08 PM

Well I goofed that up. Disregard please! I'll try something else.

Title: Finally! (and a quick hello!)
Post by: fran4001 on August 10, 2009, 04:36:54 PM

Let's try this:  
 
http://s195.photobucket.com/albums/z229/fran4001/?action=view¤t=100_2338.jpg (http://s195.photobucket.com/albums/z229/fran4001/?action=view¤t=100_2338.jpg)

Title: Finally! (and a quick hello!)
Post by: David Houck on August 10, 2009, 04:56:09 PM

The Essence looks like it's in great shape!  Very nice!

Title: Finally! (and a quick hello!)
Post by: fran4001 on August 10, 2009, 05:14:34 PM

Thanks! Very nice indeed. BUT, while cleaning her, I did discover one other little maintenance issue that I'll throw out here for consumption. And me being detail-oriented (wife calls it anal!), I'll need to see it through to completion. Noticed the A tuner is a little too easy to turn, and being familiar with the occasional tightening of the post/key screw, noticed that it's missing one of the very fine friction washers sandwiched under the key. Probably the wavy one. Does anyone know if Alembic could provide one, or three or however many? It tunes and holds fine, but, I'll need to make her right soon! Y'all know how that is!!!!

Title: Finally! (and a quick hello!)
Post by: artswork99 on August 10, 2009, 05:35:03 PM

The bass looks very nice.  Good job cleaning it up.  Enjoy it and Play it Healthy!

Title: Finally! (and a quick hello!)
Post by: David Houck on August 10, 2009, 05:37:12 PM

You might try sending an email to Mica.  I don't know that they would have that kind of thing around the shop, but I'm wondering if perhaps they can get them from Gotoh.  I haven't seen the question come up before, so it may not be something that Gotoh supplies.

Title: Finally! (and a quick hello!)
Post by: hankster on August 30, 2009, 06:00:54 AM

Hmm.  I have the same problem on My SJ as Fran4001 has re: the missing washer, although it doesn't make the key easier to turn.  It is on the same key - A string.  I have worked on the assumption that i will have to replace the whole tuner, so I have been trying to ignore it.  It would be nice if we could just get new washers.
 
r.

Title: Finally! (and a quick hello!)
Post by: crgaston on August 30, 2009, 09:25:56 AM

Home Depot or some other store may have suitable washers.  Take one off one of your other tuners and take it down!
 
Or if you're handy you could probably make one out of a white plastic OJ bottle or something.
 
Nice bass, and welcome!