Alembic Guitars Club
Connecting => Introductions => Topic started by: Phil P on September 04, 2017, 04:10:31 PM
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Now I've got my own series 1, I wont have to post using George's account.
I've played the bass badly off and on for 35 years - but now I'm practicing hard. I play guitar badly too.
I know my way round electronics and live sound.
Alembic are simply the best instruments I've ever played. That's why I'm hooked.
(https://oldgitblog.files.wordpress.com/2017/09/screen-shot-2017-09-04-at-23-49-21.png?w=200&zoom=2)
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Welcome
:)
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All in the family!!!
The family that plays together stays together!!
Hooked on Alembic's!!
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I'll take some tasty pictures of my Series 1 when (if) the sun ever comes out here.
It has belonged to Pierre-Yves and Edwin.
It's the bass with the Jupiter red spot type figuring in the coco bolo. Beautiful.
I'm sure the pictures will be worth the wait.
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Nice looking bass, Phil, Welcome!
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Welcome Phil. Based on how well that kid of yours plays, I'm betting you're a better player than you have let on. As we say here in Virginia - the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. ;D
Looking forward to seeing you around here.
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I've played the bass badly off and on for 35 years - but now I'm practicing hard. I play guitar badly too.
Well you know there is something to be said for consistency (from someone who is far from a virtuoso on either instrument). ;D
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Great choice in bass Phil, Pierre-Yves seems to have an eye for a beautiful bass. Fortunately for him his pockets are deeper than mine. :-)
I too play guitar and bass though not sure now which one is more accomplished if that word can be applied to me. Anyway good to see you keeping up with young George on the bass front. If ever you are up in the midlands you are welcome to try my Alembic guitars and it may tempt you into a custom order. I have a series I, an orion and an alembicised strat.
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Very nice Phil! Welcome to The Club! Play it in good health.
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Ha!
Phil, good/ bad is all subjective. But, that smile speaks volumes!
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I love that bass. I was just thinking about it the other day. I'm really glad it's in your hands! Play on!
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I love that bass. I was just thinking about it the other day. I'm really glad it's in your hands! Play on!
Thanks.
I'm now very sleep deprived from playing until the early hours!
It really is a beauty.
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Welcome and great bass!!! ;)
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If ever you are up in the midlands you are welcome to try my Alembic guitars
Phil's in Lancashire Vee. Like me, Brum is down :-)
Phil. Welcome to the club from Lanarkshire.
Graeme
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For some reason I thought he was down in London.
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Once again, thanks all.
Thoroughly enjoying playing it. However I missed the versatility of the series 2 electronics....so I've altered it. :)
On/off switch, pan, master vol and CVQ is a lovely control set.
(https://oldgitblog.files.wordpress.com/2017/10/screen-shot-2017-10-03-at-20-30-06.png?w=648&zoom=1)
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Pretty cool, Phil. Is the on/off switch a standby switch?
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Pretty cool, Phil. Is the on/off switch a standby switch?
Pretty sure the on/off switch is for the LEDs. Beautiful bass!
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The switch is standby for the pickups. The pot at the right of the picture is a dimmer for the fretboard LEDs
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I'm very interested in how to do such a modification, especially in having a pan and master volume. I can't get used to the two volumes. I have pan and vol on all other basses. For me, it's much simpler to handle. Would you like to share, how you did it?
Beautiful bass, btw.
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It came with Pan and master volume so I'm not responsible for that.
Perhaps the first thing to say is, before considering diving into the control cavity you must be 100% sure your soldering skills are up to the task. Have a look in your other basses. They have the wiring already to copy by the sound of it. Check the resistance of the installed potentiometers is correct for pan and master. A multimeter will do it. I don't know offhand what they should be.
If you need to ask how to rewire the pots you need to consider if your skills are up to the task.
Butchering an Alembic is not progress.
It doesn't look complex to change from 2 volumes to pan and master though, and I do find it an excellent control set. Interesting to note that Direwolf got a mod the other way when Jeff Flax sent it back to Alembic for its refinish. It now has 2 volumes instead of the original pan and master. George finds that works for him.
Changing the filter switches to CVQ is not too difficult on a series 1 bass and just needs the right components substituting - and thats the difficulty. The right value clarostat with the right bush length, shaft diameter and the right control knobs take some finding. In fact finding the pots was impossible. You could get them made to order but easier to get them from Alembic.
If you get the pots from Mica I'm sure she will furnish the connection details - even though is is fairly obvious.
I couldn't get the correct clarostats here in the UK. The substitutes I got were close but required cutting wood, silver loaded paint and an 'electronic' fix to arrive at the correct resistance for the circuit. It works as it should - and the switches can go back in if required but I wouldn't recommend it unless your skills are highly developed.
I think Mica will supply the pots, and at a reasonable cost. Ask her. I just didn't want to wait.
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I spec'ed the master/vol pan for this bass. It came like it from the factory and works extremely well.