Alembic Guitars Club
Connecting => Swap Shop and Wish Lists => Wanted & Wishing => Topic started by: raynbass on March 30, 2009, 05:32:34 PM
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I'm looking to up grade from my schecter 8 , to an alembic .does any one have one there considering selling, but haven't posted ?
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8string Spyder (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Alembic-Spyder-8-String-Bass-NEW_W0QQitemZ380113784112QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_Musical_Instruments_Instruments?hash=item380113784112&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2%7C65%3A1%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318) on eBay Australia. The seller ships worldwide. BIN AU$12300 or BO.
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thanks, for the heads up on that. it;s tempting ,but I'd be in hot water if I spent that much .I was hoping something used would pop out of the woodwork . Mica said a good number of distillates were made eight string, as well as the exploiter style.I have never seen one, has any one else? I missed a nice Mark King back in october I was in the middle of buying a distillate five string and couldn't do both. I'm not fussy, a bit well worn would suit me just fine.
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I have seen a couple of old Spoiler/Distillate basses go by, but in the $3K+ price range. The eights are rare enough that you aren't going to find an inexpensive one without an awful lot of luck.
If I could get one, any condition any electronics, in medium scale for under $2500, I'd be all over it.
-bob
(Message edited by bsee on April 02, 2009)
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I thank you much for the input, any information I can get is important . it seems that patience is in order for this one. but knowing what a fare price is , is most important. thanks again.
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Even though these info might not helps you. 8string Persuader (http://www.digimart.net/inst_detail.do?instrument_id=DS00293470) now on sale in Japan. But I'm sorry that this shop wouldn't ships worldwide. This 8string Distillate/Exploiter (http://www.digimart.net/inst_detail.do?instrument_id=DS00423487) was sold already last year. If I remember it correctly, the price was about $6.5k. I have seen the Mark King which you missed in last october too. It was really nice both its beauty and price.
Toshiaki
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if my math is right, thats about 3800.00 US, for the persuader.It's good to know . It's within price range, but not in reach. Something will come my way ,with my name on it. thanks again.
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That's sort of steep for a Persuader, but those eights are rare enough that you have to expect to pay a healthy amount over what you'd see for a four or five. It is about $3800 US, and then the bass has to find its way across an ocean.
Here's another thought. Headstock replacements are allegedly not outrageously expensive. I wonder if you could find a reasonably priced four or five string (based upon your spacing preference) and send it back to the factory for conversion to an eight? Sounds like a question for Mica, though I suspect that they would prefer not to rip apart perfectly good instruments.
-bob
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Do you think they could do that on non-Alembics? Mica?
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I dunno, Bob - I'd argue that Phil's, Jack's, & David's Guilds were perfectly good instruments, and Alembic (to the good of the whole world) had no qualms about ripping them apart. And I think read somwhere in these parts that Number 1 has had its original guts replaced with standard Series stuff, which also neccessitated a new top. Headstock, nut, bridge & tailpiece seems pretty mild compared to those.
Peter
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I was thinking about installing AXY pickups and electronics into the schecter. I wonder if any one has done this? Mica has told me, it will sound only as good as the instrument itself is . pickups alone won't make it an alembic I know , but I wonder how much of an improvement it would make? By all means an Alembic is the way to go, but I would like to explore all options. And your right, I would be very skidish about over sea shipping.I'm in no hurry ,so I wont to do this right. Ray
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P.S. , I'LL ask about the headstock conversion. thanks Ray.
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Post here once you hear an answer, Ray. To do a full conversion it'd be the headstock, the nut, and the bridge and tailpiece. (Though you could cheat and put the smaller strings into the same tailpiece holes.) I'm guessing....$expensive.
EffClef
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Right, you just have to start with an instrument of appropriate neck dimensions. I'm not sure what nut width that would require, but you could almost certainly convert a five into an eight. If you start out with something a little wide, then a neck shaving might be a possibility as well.
As far as the tailpiece goes, you could probably file new slots for the smaller strings. Plated hardware would complicate this, but straight brass should be pretty simple. I don't think you'd intonate correctly if you tried to just cut additional slots in the bridge saddles of a four string bridge, though, so you'd have to spring for that. Finally, don't forget that there will be some neck/headstock finish work to be done as well.
I'm sure it won't be cheap, but converting a $1500 Epic or Spoiler/Persuader might be cheaper than the $4K you might have to pay for such a bass on the used market today, not to mention a lot quicker to get your hands on. No idea at all what the least expensive price would be for the simplest eight string built from scratch.
-Bob
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Here is a close up pic of my 89SC5460 (http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=8690) 8string bridge. Octave string saddles are slightly not in-line with main string saddles. So separete saddles would be required to intonate correctry every string. But slightly detuned octave string sounds pretty like the sound with chorus peddal. I like detuned sound as well as just tuned sound. But string spacing would be a problem.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/395/63429.jpg)
Toshiaki
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According to the price list, the increase in list price for a Spyder 8 is $1,300, and the list for an Excel 4 is $4,800. (The price listed is dated 01/01/08, so it may not be current.) This suggests that the list on an Excel 8 would be around $6,100.
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So, if they would make such a beast, it would run you around $5K at your local dealer after a reasonable discount and with no sort of special figured in. I wonder when the Double your string count monthly special will come up?
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They would indeed. If you would be interested in a Warwick dolphin pro 8 with amber leds in dark deep purple finish w/case for $2800 plus shipping, I have one. But a build is more exciting.
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Danno, you'd have to cut 2-3 inches off the scale length before it would interest me, but I can't speak for Ray. I did try a short Hamer, but wasn't sufficiently impressed, so only an Alembic is likely to get my wallet open.
Did you ever sell that RavenWest? To look at it, it seemed like a very nicely constructed piece that might benefit from an electronics replacement to become a fine mid-level instrument. In pictures, it certainly looked like it had more potential than the average Schecter or Dean. Still, neither an Alembic nor a 30-32 scale...
-bob
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Its going to a detective at the kung fu school I attend. Great axe for the money. As always I hope everyone finds their dream bass.
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Toshiaki; Stanely Clark eight string? I have a brown bass and was wondering what an eight string would be like . is it neck heavy? It must be a dream to play even if it is. Ray
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Ray, The neck is very heavy and the bass itself is heavy too. It's one of the heaviest bass which I have ever played. It would be better if the octave string tuners were guitar tuner. Toshiaki
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I spoke with Mica about converting my JPJ to an 8-string last year sometime. Total cost was in the $1300-1400 range.
Required steps:
* replace bridge/nut/tailpiece
* remove veneers from front/back of headstock
* block the headstock (increase size)
* new veneers/shaping/drill for tuning pegs
* refinish
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Thanks, Brian, that sounds pretty good and definitely worth considering. The remaining question I would have is what nut width you need for this to be viable. I am guessing a standard 1.75 four string nut will work, but my narrower jazz spaced instruments wouldn't space to take eight strings.
I guess this would also mean that if one could get their hands on a Distillate for under $2K, one might end up with an eight string for not much more than $3K. That seems a bargain compared to the price eights seem to command on the used market. I'll have to keep my eyes open. Heck, if someone breaks their headstock and then offers the bass at a bargain price, that would be ideal!
-bob
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I've put together this much information. the nut width on my Schecter eight is, 1...62, and the 24th fret is, 2.575. to me the nut width seems to narrow. It appears to me the best candidates for conversion are the orion, essence, rogue and the europa five strings, with 1.875 nut and 2.933, 24th fret. I have a 32 distillate 5 with 1.90 nut and 2.465; 24th fret which all so a good candidate. but I don't think I can bring my self to do this, to this particular beautiful bass. Wondering if some one with an Alembic eight could send the dimensions on their bass for a more accurate comparison Ray.
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I've just taken pics of string spacing comparison. The scale indicates "cm". 2.54cm = 1inch. 8string
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/395/63639.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/395/63640.jpg)
4string with comfort taper
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/395/63641.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/395/63642.jpg)
4string with classic taper
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/395/63643.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/395/63644.jpg)
(Message edited by to 81 0190 on April 13, 2009)
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Some more pics. 8string 24th fret
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/395/63706.jpg)
4string comfort taper 24th fret
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/395/63707.jpg)
4string classic taper 24th fret
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/395/63708.jpg)
Then I found out classic 5string has very similar dimension to 8string but they might be as rare as 8string. 5string very narrow taper in 81'
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/395/63709.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/395/63710.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/395/63711.jpg)
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great pics; lots of information. The five string you are showing has the same string spacings as my distillate. Don't know if I can do it . The 24th fret on the orion,essence, rogue, and europa might be a little to wide. I believe patience will win the day. but if I give up waiting, I am, sitting on the perfect candidate for a conversion. great information. Thanks much!! Ray.
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well ;it looks like I went against my beginning thoughts. that thing about the cost of a new bass getting me in hot water.It seems like it's the best way to do it right. so I did. I am just about done wrapping up the specs with Mica. Balance K Mark King with a small point, two purple heart and one ebony neck laminate, 3A quilted top, anniversary electronics, 32scale, and a few other small things thrown in.Working out the neck specs now. the information, Tosiaka sent was help full. thanks. Ray.
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Wow, congrats!! Sounds like a great bass!
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very cool
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You are welcome and congrats! I'm looking forward to see your project in FTC section. Toshiaki
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Great, Ray. That's not a bad call if you can afford to do it right. If you need to make room for it by letting go of that Distillate fiver, let me know. At the minimum, I'm glad you didn't have to hurt it to get yourself an eight.
-bob
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bob, I sent an email to you , Hope, I sent it to the right place. keeping two fivers, a brown bass and buying a new eight string is a hard sell . so I guess it's best to let it go. Ray
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Didn't get anything, Ray. My correct address is in my profile, though. If you are willing to let it go, it looks like I may be selling an instrument or two for financing purposes. Then, someone who wants one of mine will have o sell one of theirs. This is good economic stimulus.
-bob
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First, Ray, congratulations, that sounds awesome. I really dig balance Ks too. My favorite shape though is the Scorpion, and when I grow up I'm gonna get me a Greg Lake but in a ten string. However, thanks to this thread, I now realize that if I can dig up an inexpensive 5-er, I could have an Alembic 10 str for roughly 2500? A bargain! Very interesting...
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Jack, I don't think a fiver has the neck width to become a ten, but a six might. You may be able to get neck specs from Danno's custom ten string and compare them to what was presented here for typical neck dimensions.
-bob
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I agree with Bob , you have to remember that the paired up bass and octave string are wider so calculating the distance between sets and what is comfortable for your fingers requirers some thought. A full sized wide finger spacing fiver might come close The cost of the conversion to an eight is about 1300 to 1400, don't know about a ten.Spend some time studying the woods and neck construction of tens as all alembics are different. you might find that a bass, constructed for low fiver sound, might not sound right for the octaves . talk to Mica ,before shopping.
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Bob; my computer will not send your address with the spacing as shown in your profile so I condense it and it sends but I don't know if it goes through.Please mail me aray19@gmail.com (mailto:aray19@gmail.com)
thanks; Ray.
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actually; my correct address is in my profile...... Ray
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Bob and Ray, good points. My posts should be over in the dreaming for now area of the board... but it's fun to think about. I suppose you're right about the five to ten conversion, that'd be cutting it close even with comfort taper. A six would probably do it nicely. Interestingly, Danno mentioned his 10 was going to be 1.875/2.930, which is standard 5 str Comfort spacing (which is what I'm used to on the Epic and Essence). But, he plays mostly with a pick, I think, and I never do. Either way, you'd have to check with the Mothership before taking the plunge.
(Message edited by jack on June 01, 2009)