Alembic Guitars Club

Connecting => Miscellaneous => Topic started by: lbpesq on January 05, 2019, 11:24:02 AM

Title: Now Here's A Really Unusual Stars Guitars Bass
Post by: lbpesq on January 05, 2019, 11:24:02 AM
Obviously Alembic inspired.  Check out the electronics system.  You don't see something like this everyday.


Bill, tgo


https://www.ebay.com/itm/Alembic-Style-Bass-Guitar-with-Experimental-Pickup-New-Unfinished-Pristine/132909081091?hash=item1ef1ffa203:g:OJQAAOSwlINcMGcv
Title: Re: Now Here's A Really Unusual Stars Guitars Bass
Post by: gtrguy on January 05, 2019, 12:10:13 PM
Pretty bass, though I do not see how a set of strings could function as a coil. Nice case too. Well worth the money if it is as nice as the photos look.
Title: Re: Now Here's A Really Unusual Stars Guitars Bass
Post by: gtrguy on January 05, 2019, 12:13:17 PM
I also see what looks like a vintage DiMarzio P bass style pickup in the case, like BC Rich used to use.
Title: Re: Now Here's A Really Unusual Stars Guitars Bass
Post by: sonicus on January 05, 2019, 06:21:46 PM
I noticed this instrument as well . It is very interesting indeed . :)
Title: Re: Now Here's A Really Unusual Stars Guitars Bass
Post by: pauldo on January 05, 2019, 06:22:48 PM
If I was retired and needed a project I would haggle on the price.

A little spendy for non-functioning output and questionable electronic design.  Concerned about the zip tie holding the E string in the bridge groove.
Title: Re: Now Here's A Really Unusual Stars Guitars Bass
Post by: edwardofhuncote on January 05, 2019, 07:19:15 PM
Another Club Member sent me a link to this item earlier today... clearly we're all listening to the same channel!  ;D
Title: Re: Now Here's A Really Unusual Stars Guitars Bass
Post by: allgood on January 06, 2019, 04:29:20 AM
“Star’s Guitars, formerly Alembic” ... anyone know the deal with that?
Title: Re: Now Here's A Really Unusual Stars Guitars Bass
Post by: adriaan on January 06, 2019, 05:01:58 AM
Apparently, Lane Poor was working at Alembic way back when (see sfnic's comments http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=13061.msg139983#msg139983) and he moved to Stars Guitars.
Title: Re: Now Here's A Really Unusual Stars Guitars Bass
Post by: sonicus on January 06, 2019, 06:39:00 AM
  allgood , To answer to your inquiry ;       I believe that  " Star’s Guitars, formerly Alembic” ... in not an accurate statement . That statement is flawed !

 My earliest personal experience with Alembic was as a customer when Alembic was located located at 60 Brady Street in San Francisco in the early 1970s . That is where a took my  Guild Starfire to get the brass block and bridge  with tailpiece   installed . Later in the decade , mid 1970s ; Alembic moved up North towards Northern California . At the time of Alembics move North " Stars Guitars " moved into the 60 Brady Street location. I Continued to venture there and met the new folks at that location .   " Stars Guitars " had some Alembic products available at 60 Brady Street and that is what I experienced . In addition "Stars Guitars " had their own products ." Alembic "as a company did not turn into  "Stars Guitars"  or vice versa .  Mica , Susan , Ron & Mary please correct me if my recollections above are not correct as I wrote above. I hope that you are all well this New Year :) . 
Title: Re: Now Here's A Really Unusual Stars Guitars Bass
Post by: lbpesq on January 06, 2019, 11:08:25 AM
The listing doesn't claim that Stars was formerly Alembic.  Rather, it states: "Lane Poor of Stars Guitars (formerly with Alembic)".  If Lane Poor worked for Alembic prior to Stars, the listing is correct in that regard.

Bill, tgo
Title: Re: Now Here's A Really Unusual Stars Guitars Bass
Post by: sonicus on January 06, 2019, 11:23:52 AM
Indeed and agreed ,as per the  original listing claims . :)  Not as quoted  ;" Star’s Guitars, formerly Alembic ...  "  :)
Title: Re: Now Here's A Really Unusual Stars Guitars Bass
Post by: edwardofhuncote on January 06, 2019, 12:44:54 PM
Next year I'm asking Santa for a Time Machine that'll retro-fit to my 2003 Mitsubishi gig-mobile. All the the really cool stuff was happening about the time I was born.  ::) ;D 

(I'm 49, with a bullet - you figure it up!)
Title: Re: Now Here's A Really Unusual Stars Guitars Bass
Post by: allgood on January 06, 2019, 05:16:41 PM
Ibpesc... you are correct... I misread the ad.  I apologize for that!  I hope you all will forgive!  However, if I had not misread, I would not have learned the bit of Alembic history that I learned.  😊Thanks. 
Title: Re: Now Here's A Really Unusual Stars Guitars Bass
Post by: sonicus on January 06, 2019, 05:43:40 PM
allgood , It is all good :)  We still love you , no worries . The Alembic History  section on this site is wonderful  as well to read .
Title: Re: Now Here's A Really Unusual Stars Guitars Bass
Post by: sonicus on February 18, 2019, 11:22:10 PM
I have decided to give this Bass a new life with Alembic Electronics and Pickups , refinements and features . I will present updates as they become available . I have given this Bass a name as well : NIMBUS .
In the photograph Nimbus is on the right side of my Distillate . This photograph was taken the day before taking a trip to the Alembic Mothership  Headquarters  for ; " the new life treatment process :) . "I am very Grateful that Alembic is willing to provide the magic and expertise to realize this rebirth .
Title: Re: Now Here's A Really Unusual Stars Guitars Bass
Post by: elwoodblue on February 19, 2019, 12:27:55 AM
Oh boy  ;)


 It will be a joy to see what y'all come up with.
 Nimbus has nice lines.
Title: Re: Now Here's A Really Unusual Stars Guitars Bass
Post by: sonicus on February 19, 2019, 01:03:31 AM
Yes , this is fun :) I had some ideas that we discussed that seemed possible .
Title: Re: Now Here's A Really Unusual Stars Guitars Bass
Post by: edwardofhuncote on February 19, 2019, 02:26:05 AM
Good for you, Wolf - this looks like a great project!
Title: Re: Now Here's A Really Unusual Stars Guitars Bass
Post by: keith_h on February 19, 2019, 05:35:23 AM
Are your going to keep that wire tie on the E string? :)
Title: Re: Now Here's A Really Unusual Stars Guitars Bass
Post by: David Houck on February 19, 2019, 07:59:17 AM
Interesting project; will watch for updates.
Title: Re: Now Here's A Really Unusual Stars Guitars Bass
Post by: sonicus on February 19, 2019, 08:00:25 AM
Keith , no tie-wrap wire tie for my use is needed , LOL :) .  The first thing that I did was a cleaning and a Lemon Oil fingerboard treatment . The strings on it were extremely old  ( decades ) . I replaced them with some brand new Pyramid Gold Flat-wound strings that I had on hand . After I replaced the strings and set the intonation and did a truss rod adjustment ,  I waited for this new setup  and adjustment to acclimate for a few days at which time after I played it for a few days and then decided to go forward with decisions and redesign and restoration with Alembic . I am very grateful for the time that Mica and the Alembic staff have enabled and are doing .
Title: Re: Now Here's A Really Unusual Stars Guitars Bass
Post by: sonicus on February 19, 2019, 08:23:02 AM
Thanks Dave & Gregory as well for your interest . I will continue to comment and update as possible .
Title: Re: Now Here's A Really Unusual Stars Guitars Bass
Post by: tbrannon on February 19, 2019, 09:18:11 AM
super excited to see this unfold. what is the plan for the electronics?
Title: Re: Now Here's A Really Unusual Stars Guitars Bass
Post by: sonicus on February 19, 2019, 10:31:11 AM
The electronics will be simple Activator electronics . We are making use of the existing holes on the top. The controls
will be Volume/ Volume / ----- Filter/Filter----- Master Volume . One output off,  standby switch and one power supply LED indicator light. There will be a 5PIN connector as well to make use of the large hole  and a 1/4" mono TS jack . Simple . The pickups will be what just happened to  seem to fit exactly by coincidence  in the channel in the center without further routing . Those will be pickups that are what Alembic originally designed to be bridge position pickups for a Rickenbacker bass .
Title: Re: Now Here's A Really Unusual Stars Guitars Bass
Post by: sonicus on September 08, 2019, 07:43:20 AM
A brass plate is being fitted over the center cavity that will house the Alembic pickups . I will be excited to be able to post future updates as I follow the process . :)
Title: Re: Now Here's A Really Unusual Stars Guitars Bass
Post by: edwardofhuncote on September 08, 2019, 10:56:00 AM
Glad to hear of progress made upon Nimbus.  :)


Curious to see how the 5-pin will interface with activator electronics. I have often wondered if that would work, or could be made to.
Title: Re: Now Here's A Really Unusual Stars Guitars Bass
Post by: sonicus on September 09, 2019, 04:54:38 PM
I was told that the 5pin can be facilitated to work fine with this circuit . ;)   I look forward to updates as well .  Nimbus shall be swell ! 
Title: Re: Now Here's A Really Unusual Stars Guitars Bass
Post by: sonicus on November 19, 2019, 09:53:39 AM
As I promised I wrote that I would post an update to this completed project . I would like to thank the many individuals at Alembic who were responsible for realizing my modification requests . I am really elated and jubilant about the results . My thanks to Mica , Ron , Susan , Mary for their advise and taking on this project . I extend my thanks to James  and my gratitude for his artful craftsmanship with attention to detail . As well I am sincerely grateful for any other involvement .
 
Title: Re: Now Here's A Really Unusual Stars Guitars Bass
Post by: sonicus on November 19, 2019, 10:01:24 AM
I will post more photos as well as posting in the Show Case section on this site under ;
Instruments Modified by Alembic 
Title: Re: Now Here's A Really Unusual Stars Guitars Bass
Post by: pauldo on November 19, 2019, 10:59:14 AM
Oooh!
Title: Re: Now Here's A Really Unusual Stars Guitars Bass
Post by: edwardofhuncote on November 19, 2019, 01:05:40 PM
Paul beat me to the Oooh!  :D
Title: Re: Now Here's A Really Unusual Stars Guitars Bass
Post by: elwoodblue on November 19, 2019, 05:25:47 PM
...Aaaahh mazing !!    :D


Looking forward to a closer look.



Title: Re: Now Here's A Really Unusual Stars Guitars Bass
Post by: sonicus on November 19, 2019, 09:38:40 PM
Controls ;  Volume / Volume/  Filter/Filter / Master Volume/ Mute Switch
Title: Re: Now Here's A Really Unusual Stars Guitars Bass
Post by: sonicus on November 19, 2019, 09:42:28 PM
Front / Top
Title: Re: Now Here's A Really Unusual Stars Guitars Bass
Post by: sonicus on November 19, 2019, 09:49:35 PM
Back
Title: Re: Now Here's A Really Unusual Stars Guitars Bass
Post by: edwin on November 19, 2019, 10:07:35 PM
That looks incredible! Hope to hear some clips.
Title: Re: Now Here's A Really Unusual Stars Guitars Bass
Post by: pauldo on November 20, 2019, 08:35:23 AM
Yes, excited to hear that.
Title: Re: Now Here's A Really Unusual Stars Guitars Bass
Post by: sonicus on October 19, 2022, 10:27:47 AM
This thread is updated now in the showcase section as well :
https://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=27457.new#new