Alembic Guitars Club

Alembic products => Alembic Basses & Guitars => Topic started by: dannobasso on February 28, 2009, 01:31:37 PM

Title: Well, we decided
Post by: dannobasso on February 28, 2009, 01:31:37 PM

Susan and Mica had a nice consultation with me about the final details of my latest baby. It changed quite a lot from the original order I placed but the results will be spectacular. So it will be:
 
10 str. Excel
neck thru with 1 ebony stringer along with the maple and walnut mix
Mahog core, maple accent and koa top
ebony board no inlays, side led's in red
Rogue guts, dual fatboys, bridge block
Black paint
 
So now let the build begin! Oh yeah, and the obligatory waiting period. But that is the process as we have all come to understand.  Out of all my instruments this will have the highest pricetag but still far less that many of you series guys.  
Maybe someday I can join your ever growing exclusive club. Olie, Dave Rami...can I come too? No Danno ... not enough knobs son, and you need a dummy hum canceler and there's the rack mount power supply. Sure you have some nice things but to roll with the big dogs, well maybe next year.

Title: Well, we decided
Post by: bsee on February 28, 2009, 01:49:32 PM

Sounds like a beauty, Danno!  The only thing I might wonder about is if dual Fatboys might not give you all the dual-course sparkle that could be had.  Of course, that's a triviality and no-brainer tweak at the end of the process if the results don't knock your socks off.  Should be great for the heavier stuff you've been known to play.
 
There are definitely plenty of knobs on an instrument with Europa guts, and anyone who tells you different probably needs a new prescription.  Europa guts are ideal for live work and twice as many filters won't give you twice as much tone.  I'll be surprised if such a classy and unusual instrument doesn't end up on the CotM list.  
 
Congrats!

Title: Well, we decided
Post by: artswork99 on February 28, 2009, 02:09:54 PM

That's exciting Danno!  Congratulations!
 
That was quite funny too... another thread, lets talk about knobs - LOL.
 
Best, Art

Title: Well, we decided
Post by: David Houck on February 28, 2009, 02:20:46 PM

Neck-through Excel - cool!
 
I think when they are all added up, you've probably got a lot more Alembic knobs than either Olie or I have.

Title: Well, we decided
Post by: ajdover on February 28, 2009, 02:37:05 PM

Danno,
 
   You're always welcome to the Series club .... ;-)
 
   Sounds like you have a winner here - like always.  Can't wait to see/hear it.
 
Best regards, and congrats,
 
Alan

Title: Well, we decided
Post by: tbrannon on February 28, 2009, 04:14:34 PM

Danno,
 
Is this going to be your first Ebony neck lam?

Title: Well, we decided
Post by: olieoliver on February 28, 2009, 04:15:29 PM

I second that Alan,...
 ......besides Danno you're too cool for school (Danno will get the subliminal pun).
 
OO
God I hope I don't get the itch...

Title: Well, we decided
Post by: David Houck on February 28, 2009, 06:59:50 PM

Olie; just don't get to close to the monitor.

Title: Well, we decided
Post by: dannobasso on February 28, 2009, 07:47:08 PM

You have all raved about the ebony lam so I caved into peer pressure! Susan gave me the low down on the down low and one center ebony should give the desired effect. Now for the next cd to be finished, get a major tour so I can show off this thing with my other black beauties!
 
Oh and Olie, one of my students thought he was too cool and got busted for smoking herb in the boys room before he came to class. Cameras people, cameras. Now he got to go to rehab..... oh no no......yes yes yes!

Title: Well, we decided
Post by: tbrannon on February 28, 2009, 07:51:30 PM

You'll love that ebony Danno- I have the single ebony lam in my custom Elan and I'm so glad I made the decision to get it.  
 
I'm a HS teacher as well- though my day as a Biology teacher probably isn't as rough as yours is.

Title: Well, we decided
Post by: keith_h on March 01, 2009, 05:29:15 AM

Congrats on the new bass. I see you are staying with formal attire (basic black). :-)  
 
As has been stated the Europa electronics are great for live work with the quick change switches.
 
 
Keith
(Still waiting for your southeast coast tour)

Title: Well, we decided
Post by: kilowatt on March 01, 2009, 07:54:02 AM

Danno,
Congrats on the new monster. The herd continues to grow. Koa is one of my favorite woods and I can't wait to see this one get started.
I think your knob collection more than qualifies you for any group around here!
 
Pete

Title: Well, we decided
Post by: rami on March 01, 2009, 11:50:01 AM

Congratulations Danno,
 
It's gonna be a real BEAST!!!  
 
Danno, not only are you a member of the club, you're on the board of directors!
 
From one Excel lover to another...
 
BEAST WISHES!!!
 
Rami
 

Title: Well, we decided
Post by: dannobasso on March 01, 2009, 02:21:50 PM

You are all too kind. I will summon all my Qi Gong training and Zen philosophy to wait for this to be completed. I feel more like a long time member of the custodial squad rather than the boardroom.  
Say have you ever tried an Alembic? NO Alembic! A-L-E-M-B-I-C! No not the Greek games. No it;s not an Ibanez, Alembic, Alembic, Alembic, Alembic! Well thanks I love the tone too. Just crushes don't it? No I don't own one of your make. Never really had the urge. Yes I do need all those strings. Because I wanted them. No I had it built. Price? Higher....., no higher......, try higher... not even close.....higher.....because I'm not married.... no never divorced.......no no kids either.... no no pets,,,,,no I'm allergic to cat hair ..becuase it just worked out that way......no I don't want to try your bass........I just don't need to right now.....look I gotta go and load up......thanks, you have a great set too.... yes it lights up..... so I can see in this light forsaken club......yeah, I gotta go.....no she's not with me... just a fan......knock yourself out........really gotta go this time....if you like it and you are happy keep playing it.....Alembic....A-L-E-M-B-I-C.....(prays the car keys are still in the gig bag)

Title: Well, we decided
Post by: David Houck on March 01, 2009, 03:08:09 PM

Hee hee!
 
Hey, mind if I use your rig for our set?

Title: Well, we decided
Post by: 57basstra on March 01, 2009, 04:21:48 PM

May I sit in on your stuff?

Title: Well, we decided
Post by: cozmik_cowboy on March 01, 2009, 07:07:40 PM

Danno, just to clarify in case I missed something - when you say 10-string, are you talking a doubled 5, or are you one-upping (or would that be two-upping?) 8SK Mark?
 
Peter

Title: Well, we decided
Post by: dannobasso on March 02, 2009, 06:42:28 AM

Just a lil' ol' double 5. I think Mark's 8 is amazing. I did have a Stickbass 8 but I traded it for the Stambaugh. King's X has always been a favorite of mine and live they are amazing. Inspired,  I got a Hamer 12 but it's not an Alembic and they don't do a double 5. When i paid off the fretless 5 I thought I was done with new basses but the lovely ladies at Alembic have a way of making your ideas come to reality. So here we go again. So the Hamer has to go, along with a Ravenwest 8 and a Ripper to help defray the cost of this new beauty.

Title: Well, we decided
Post by: s_wood on March 02, 2009, 08:08:33 AM

Danno:
I used to own the Acacia 10 string pictured below.  It was a nice bass, but ultimately not for me. For one thing, it wasn't an Alembic!  Also, the wenge neck and board was, I think, a mistake: too midrangy, hence too muddy.  The wood choices you made, with the accuracy of Alembic electronics and the help of the sustain block, will be much better. The ebony neck lam will really enhance the low end- you will be shocked at how much difference it makes. (I was, anyway!) Will you have your octave strings on top (closest to your body) or on the bottom (closest to the floor)?  The choice really affects the tone.
 
One thing you might want to think about is a stereo output.  The tone you can get running a 10 string into 2 amps (tube distortion for the bridge pickup, and a cleaner, bassier tone for the neck pickup) is unbelievably huge.  You can also do the same thing with a mono output by using a splitter box, which is how I did it.  Either way, when you get your 10'er just try it: use your rig for the lows, and your guitarist's rig for your high end.  Total world domination, bro.
 
Oh, one other thing: don't sell the Ripper.  Rippers rule, in their own peculiar way!
 
Here's the Acacia:  
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/62029.jpg)

Title: Well, we decided
Post by: kenbass4 on March 02, 2009, 08:10:36 AM

Danno,
 
Sound like a killer project! I have a (dumb) question though: Why Koa under the black paint? If you're going to hide the beautiful wood, why pay the upcharge? Just curious.
 
Ken (TEO)

Title: Well, we decided
Post by: dannobasso on March 02, 2009, 09:05:27 AM

Its really for the tone. I have a wide Spoiler six with the recipe for this bass. It has my favorite tone of my collection so I figured I'd try it again. Since this top isn't very fancy and under the paint it is merely functional. Susan also keeps in mind that I may want to refinish it in the future. A women's touch! I always trust their judgement and suggestions. I had a few built before FTC and received them without any hint of their beauty. My Koa top 6 is truly inspiring.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/62038.jpg)

Title: Well, we decided
Post by: bsee on March 02, 2009, 11:22:02 AM

Steve's question regarding octave string position is an interesting one.  I always got the impression that octaves toward the floor was more typical, and that it favored pick playing, where octaves toward the body favored fingers.  
 
I would suspect that the proximity of the octave to the bass string impacts tone as well.  Closer together has to be easier to play, but muddier as the strings may contact each other in vibration.  Wider separation better allows the strings to ring more independently, but has to be harder to play cleanly.
 
So, Danno, did you spec these things or leave them up to Alembic?
 
-bob

Title: Well, we decided
Post by: dannobasso on March 02, 2009, 12:00:36 PM

They are working on a 2nd series 2 10 I believe and have some strong examples of what works well. Neck will be 1.875 to 2.93. I just asked some questions and they made suggestions and we came to a conclusion. I almost always play with a pick live so spacing isn't really too critical an issue. That said I have and had short, almost medium, medium, long and 35 scale basses. I have comfort and jazz spacings from 4 to 7 strings and the Warwick 8, Ravenwest 8 and Hamer 12 animals. I like to be able to move from bass to bass without the switching issues some guys have. So I play them in turn so I can be flexible. Now when I go from 32 7 fretless to 34 5 fretless I have to be more dilligent. Most multies I have seen have the octave before the fundamental but I'll give Senny a call to clarify.

Title: Well, we decided
Post by: altgrendel on March 02, 2009, 12:25:35 PM

I remember reading in another thread here that the position of the octave strings depend on if you pick (octave/fundamental) or pluck (fundamental/octave).

Title: Well, we decided
Post by: olieoliver on March 02, 2009, 12:33:47 PM

Something else to concider is which do you want to be dominant. The low or high string.  
My Ibanez has the low string below it's octave, and me playing always with my fingers, making the lower string much more dominant over it's octave. I used to think it was just because of the heavier string until I played an 8 strung the other way.  
 
I'm with you Danno on the playing them all. I switch back and forth from my 32, 34 and 35 scale basses just so I will feel comfortable with them all. I like the variety of sound and Timbre I get from the different axes.
 
OO
OO

Title: Well, we decided
Post by: s_wood on March 02, 2009, 01:29:48 PM

Danno:
My Acacia had its bass or regular strings on the bottom (meaning closest to the floor) to faciliate fingerstyle playing.  The idea is that one's fingers would strike the regular strings just before hitting the octave strings, thereby accenting the fundamental.  If you are a pick style player, you might choose to have the regular strings on top, where your downstrokes with a pick would strike them first. Of course, there's no right or wrong - it's whatever works for you!

Title: Well, we decided
Post by: funkyjazzjunky on March 02, 2009, 02:11:20 PM

Koa Top is an excellent choice

Title: Well, we decided
Post by: keith_h on March 02, 2009, 05:28:34 PM

I have a Hagstrom 8. It is a short scale and has it's octave on top and regular string below. It was really designed for pick style playing where you hit the octave then the regular string on the down stroke. I will occasionally use my fingers but to me it does not sound right with the regular string being hit before the octave. What I find I end up doing is using my thumb to get that fuller finger sound. I have also found the strings to be too close together for really comfortable finger style playing.  
 
If I decided to do a custom I would most likely go with the octave on the bottom to accommodate finger style playing better. I would also be sure to allow sufficient space between the strings.  
 
Keith

Title: Well, we decided
Post by: pauldo on March 02, 2009, 07:50:07 PM

ROFLMAO
*No not the Greek games.*
I have had TOO many people say that,,,, Olympic??? I just nod my head and mumble something about getting more equipment out of the van and walk away....

Title: Well, we decided
Post by: dannobasso on March 03, 2009, 08:47:20 PM

And away we go. Mica gave me choices of peghead, reconfigured body for carving and I chose the traditional octave-fundamental combo. I don't know what its like to be an expectant parent but my Alembic customs have to scratch the surface a tad. FTC is a bit like a sonogram. Still cheaper than the live human type so I am told. Oh btw I'm registered at Wiljan Court Santa Rosa for the shower.

Title: Well, we decided
Post by: olieoliver on March 04, 2009, 06:18:03 AM

I'll be there for the shower Danno. Do I need to bring my own soap.  
 
OO

Title: Well, we decided
Post by: FC Bass on March 04, 2009, 09:04:02 AM

Damn Danno, gonna be a killer bass! (http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/62129.gif)
 
My Koa Spoiler is one of the sweetest sounding basses I've ever played, there's something special (spacial) about Koa.  
 
Congrats!

Title: Well, we decided
Post by: dannobasso on March 11, 2009, 03:45:02 PM

Crusin'  right along with this one I'm told. We may add a completely obnoxious third pickup if its doable with a simple on/off switch.
Why 3 pickups man?........cause its cool...........yeah but why?..........because they can..............so its like an Urge or Attitude bass?............No, ,,,,,,,not even close............you've got issues man!........yes........yes I do, have a great set I gotta load up now........jerk!

Title: Well, we decided
Post by: David Houck on March 13, 2009, 05:05:24 PM

Hey!  Who's three pickup Alembic (http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=8854) are you calling obnoxious ??!!

Title: Well, we decided
Post by: dannobasso on March 14, 2009, 05:36:01 AM

Yes!!! I heard you and Trip had it done. I have a spare pickup and asked if it could be included in the mix. They can so I will! C'eptun mine will be 2 fatboys sammichin' an MXY. Outstandin'-er en hell! Betterin' than party licker en gunnery! Woohoo Santa Rosa genetic enginerrin, en gratudeiness parts puttin! All fer tha whims of a plainol' Yankee what likes their stuffs! Outstandin!

Title: Well, we decided
Post by: lbpesq on March 14, 2009, 08:40:52 AM

Who says  three pickup Alembics (http://www.alembic.com/info/fc_woody.html) are rare? ... if it's doable?   Waddaya talkin' about?  Go for it, Danno!
 
Bill, tgo

Title: Well, we decided
Post by: Bradley Young on March 14, 2009, 10:20:15 AM

Danno,
 
As I saw on a bumper sticker: Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.  Sounds like the start of a good party!
 
I think three pickups is a grand idear.
 
Bradley

Title: Well, we decided
Post by: dannobasso on March 14, 2009, 02:03:30 PM

I mailed it out to Mica today priority on-account-ah she said theys ready ta rout da sumbeach. I can't imagine the hugeness of the tone of this recipe. I brout my narrow 6 Spoiler with ph deluxe lams  (11in all) mahog, maple and walnut top to a Marra's rehearsal on Wednesday. For a 32 the sound was massive. Ebony lam with Koa and octave strings is bound to be devastating. Hopefully the queen of digital photography can put a FTC for me when she gets the time so we can witness the gestation period on this one.

Title: Well, we decided
Post by: lbpesq on March 14, 2009, 06:56:44 PM

Danno:
 
I saw your embryonic bass when I stopped by Alembic a couple of days ago.  Looking sweet!  Are you sure you want to, as the Stones said, paint it black? lol
 
Bill, tgo

Title: Well, we decided
Post by: dannobasso on March 14, 2009, 07:41:46 PM

Yep. Has to be black for the genre. Besides I actually love black instruments, hides the dirt you see. But not the dust, sweat, blood and various thrown liquids.But thats where the Supreme polish comes in!

Title: Well, we decided
Post by: adriaan on March 15, 2009, 06:35:34 AM

Can't you have them fit a black leather body glove, so you can enjoy the marvelous wood in private?

Title: Well, we decided
Post by: lbpesq on March 15, 2009, 10:11:10 AM

Safe bassing?  hehehehe
 
Bill, tgo

Title: Well, we decided
Post by: adriaan on March 15, 2009, 01:33:43 PM

Second thoughts came after posting. Enjoy what you will.

Title: Well, we decided
Post by: dannobasso on March 15, 2009, 06:10:12 PM

Sounds kinky.

Title: Well, we decided
Post by: peoplechipper on March 15, 2009, 11:28:30 PM

Sounds like it'll be an awesome bass but all those strings scare me; they remind me that I'm an ignorant thug in some respects...I would get SO lost on that bass...Tony.

Title: Well, we decided
Post by: dannobasso on March 16, 2009, 03:32:27 AM

Ron can put in a GPS and lcd screen along with the leds. Remember, strings aren't scary, People with strings are scary.

Title: Well, we decided
Post by: lbpesq on March 16, 2009, 07:28:11 AM

So Danno, we can assume you are against string regulation and control?  hehehehe
 
Bill, tgo

Title: Well, we decided
Post by: Bradley Young on March 16, 2009, 11:15:02 AM

String control is a good left and right hand technique.
 
If strings are outlawed, only outlaws will have strings.
 
Justice Scalia tells us that the right to keep and bear strings is an individual right.

Title: Well, we decided
Post by: dannobasso on March 16, 2009, 12:36:21 PM

http://www.adultswim.com/video/?episodeID=8a25c392129a62c501129a947c890033
 
this explains it all!

Title: Well, we decided
Post by: adriaan on March 16, 2009, 03:58:34 PM

Or http://www.adultswim.co.uk/ (http://www.adultswim.co.uk/) for non-US residents.

Title: Well, we decided
Post by: dannobasso on April 09, 2009, 08:48:30 PM

pics in the FTC y'all. Very exciting for me.
 
http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/63433.html?1239332375 (http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=7202)