Alembic Guitars Club

Connecting => Miscellaneous => Topic started by: texangerbil on October 01, 2008, 11:40:22 AM

Title: Michael Dolan short-scale bass
Post by: texangerbil on October 01, 2008, 11:40:22 AM

Hi, I just thought I'd share some pics of a recent addition to my bass family. I thought some of you might be interested since there's definitely some Alembic influence going on!  As I understand it MD worked at Alembic in the '70s before going solo. He's still based in Santa Rosa.  This bass is an obvious SC copy but with radically different construction and look: 2-piece maple bolt-on neck with ebony fingerboard, ash body, Gotoh hardware and Bartolini electrics.  I have to say I'm very impressed. I bought it to try out a short-scale bass before getting too carried away with my SC/brown bass GAS (i got it for about a third of the price of an Alembic). It's very well made. The action is the lowest I've ever seen on a bass (definitely needs an Entwistle technique), it's very comfortable and it sounds colossal! Bart preamp has incredible range and sounds very musical with it. Could even become my main bass if I can get my technique down...  Enjoy the pix...  
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/56862.jpg)
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/56863.jpg)
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/56864.jpg)
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/56865.jpg)

Title: Michael Dolan short-scale bass
Post by: lbpesq on October 01, 2008, 11:43:11 AM

The perfect bass for a taxi dance gig!  lol
 
Bill, tgo

Title: Michael Dolan short-scale bass
Post by: kungfusheriff on October 01, 2008, 01:06:51 PM

I know that bass! It popped up on the Dudepit about three or four years ago. IIRC, the then-owner said it was built in the mid-90s. Considering the color, Dolan might remember building it. Probably worth it to give him a call.

Title: Michael Dolan short-scale bass
Post by: mike1762 on October 01, 2008, 05:18:23 PM

Where is the front strap button?

Title: Michael Dolan short-scale bass
Post by: neyman on October 01, 2008, 06:17:17 PM

I used to own that bass!  
 
Probably has THE BEST neck you will ever find on a bass. I sure do miss it.
 
Pssst...if you ever decide to sell...

Title: Michael Dolan short-scale bass
Post by: adriaan on October 02, 2008, 12:11:18 AM

Mike, the front strap button is on the neck plate - it's all black, but you can make it out.

Title: Michael Dolan short-scale bass
Post by: texangerbil on October 02, 2008, 01:52:41 AM

Well well well, small world eh? Dan, what electronics did it have in it when you owned it (and when did you own it)? It's currently got a Bartolini 3-band eq with vol & pan but that's obviously not original as the miniswitch is currently redundant.
 
Anything you remember about it would be greatly appreciated - it's always nice to know something of the history of an unusual instrument.
 
It's still in near-perfect condition apart from a ding on the tip of the lower horn.

Title: Michael Dolan short-scale bass
Post by: neyman on October 02, 2008, 08:02:44 AM

I had it between 2002-2003, I think. The electronics sound the same as when I had it: Bart pickups, 3 band, non-functional switch. It has an amazingly big sound for such a small instrument.  
 
I ended up selling it back to the guy I bought it from (he loved the neck as well), who is probably the same guy you bought it from.
 
I had considered refinishing the bass, but that yellow grows on you after awhile. It is such a unique instrument I think it is perfect the way it is.

Title: Michael Dolan short-scale bass
Post by: lbpesq on October 02, 2008, 09:43:54 AM

It suggests an eclectic set list:
 
Big Yellow Taxi  
Yellow Bird  
Banana Boat Song  
Mello Yellow  
Yellow Submarine
Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini
Yellow Rose of Texas
Tie a Yellow Ribbon 'Round the Old Oak Tree
Follow the Yellow Brick Road
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
Yes, We Have No Bananas
and, of course anything by Yellowman.
 
hehehehe
 
Bill, tgo

Title: Michael Dolan short-scale bass
Post by: jacko on October 03, 2008, 08:03:09 AM

Bill. You forgot the most boring song in the world as written by the most boring band in the world.
Coldplay's 'yellow'. ;-)
 
Graeme

Title: Michael Dolan short-scale bass
Post by: terryc on October 03, 2008, 08:06:15 AM

I agree..Coldplay...just as depressing as RadioHead

Title: Michael Dolan short-scale bass
Post by: texangerbil on October 03, 2008, 08:29:31 AM

The difference is that for me Coldplay don't mean to be depressing, that's just the way they end up sounding a lot of the time, whereas Radiohead do mean it. But Radiohead are usually exciting and experimental in the way they go about expressing it.
 
Anyway, back on topic, I bought the MD from a guy in the north of England, so maybe it has changed hands a few more times in the interim...

Title: Michael Dolan short-scale bass
Post by: lbpesq on October 03, 2008, 09:30:34 AM

Cold who?  I didn't forget, I'm just an old fart who never heard it ... ahhh, but I did see Pigpen!
 
Bill, tgo

Title: Michael Dolan short-scale bass
Post by: white_cloud on October 03, 2008, 01:39:05 PM

Very cool bass - does Mr Dolan do medium scale basses I wonder???
 
Coldplay? I have to buck the trend here..I really like them!
 
John.

Title: Michael Dolan short-scale bass
Post by: bassman10096 on October 04, 2008, 09:03:58 PM

Wow.  What a cool take on the small standard body.  I've heard Dolan's work is very good.  I believe he has fabricated necks of various scales for people, but no idea what he would charge (materials would be a huge variable).

Title: Michael Dolan short-scale bass
Post by: texangerbil on October 09, 2008, 10:00:08 AM

Without wishing to unduly plug the competition, his website is at www.dolanguitars.com (http://www.dolanguitars.com).
 
It says:
Prices generally start at $1250.00 U.S. On average, most custom instruments are in the $1500.00 to $2500.00 range, depending upon options. The price is ultimately determined by the complexity of the project, the cost of the components and the materials involved.
 
Although how long it's said that and whether that's still valid I couldn't say.