Alembic Guitars Club

Alembic products => Alembic Basses & Guitars => Topic started by: dannobasso on May 18, 2020, 02:51:42 PM

Title: Finally ordering a Series
Post by: dannobasso on May 18, 2020, 02:51:42 PM
Well after coveting a Series instrument since the 70's 80's (Dregs, Nazareth, Styx, Stanley etc.) and owning many fine Alembics including 8 custom builds, I'm finally ordering a top end Alembic. Still have to iron out the details with Susan about my particular desires. Nothing too crazy, 6 string, medium scale, My neck inlay from the Kay bass, bird of prey tailpiece, no additional neck inlays. You only go around once and with all the uncertainty of life these days, what the heck. Wish me luck on the final specs.


I hope all of you are well and making the best of these crazy times.
Cheers ,
Danno
Title: Re: Finally ordering a Series
Post by: jacko on May 18, 2020, 02:55:33 PM
Can't wait to see this one kick off on the factory to customer page Danno.
Good lick with it.

Graeme
Title: Re: Finally ordering a Series
Post by: FC Bass on May 18, 2020, 04:59:30 PM
All right, way to go!

Like the new DS-5 color scheme? :-)

(http://fcbass.nl/ds5new.jpg)

 ;D


Title: Re: Finally ordering a Series
Post by: mica on May 18, 2020, 06:19:33 PM
Actually Flip, that's not the new scheme - but when we moved I found a couple of those all black boxes and I figured you would want them!
Title: Re: Finally ordering a Series
Post by: lbpesq on May 18, 2020, 07:25:23 PM
Hey Danno, always good to see you drop by.   Congrats on the new bass.  I’d ask about the woods, but I assume you are going black all the way!

Bill, tgo
Title: Re: Finally ordering a Series
Post by: FC Bass on May 19, 2020, 04:21:19 AM
Thanx Mica, gonna match great with the basses  8)

“It’s like... how much more black could this be? And the answer is none, none more black.” :-)
Title: Re: Finally ordering a Series
Post by: dannobasso on May 19, 2020, 06:09:31 AM
Hey Danno, always good to see you drop by.   Congrats on the new bass.  I’d ask about the woods, but I assume you are going black all the way!

Bill, tgo

Waiting to discuss woods with Susan, I may go tint depending on what the final choices are. I sure there will be more than enough time to make that decision.
Title: Re: Finally ordering a Series
Post by: FC Bass on May 19, 2020, 06:49:57 AM
What will be the body/headstock shape?
Title: Re: Finally ordering a Series
Post by: dannobasso on May 19, 2020, 07:22:31 AM
Leaning towards Balance K Omega with Cone for the string tension off the nut. Nice direct lines . I have crown ones and the angles aren't as pleasing to the eye. I imaging there are some vibration issues too.
Title: Re: Finally ordering a Series
Post by: ed_too on May 19, 2020, 01:36:55 PM
“nothing too crazy...” - made me smile...what you described, already, is “crazy”, in the best sense!
Enjoy!!!


Ed
Title: Re: Finally ordering a Series
Post by: FC Bass on May 19, 2020, 01:52:40 PM
Ditto here :-)

If you go for a tint and the tint is going to be black, I would suggest to go for the stained option.
Those look real black in all pictures I've seen (never seen one in person) The latest "sheer black" examples I've seen all look a bit more inky blue/dark purple.
They do look very nice and classy though (I'm very happy with mine) but might not satisfy the true blackened master.
Title: Re: Finally ordering a Series
Post by: edwardofhuncote on May 19, 2020, 02:00:31 PM
"Nothing too crazy..." is literally a copy/paste from my email to Will Gunn regarding a Custom build.  ;D

Congratulations on your resolve Danno. It already sounds like a spectacular instrument. Mica's Crew just keeps out-doing themselves with every build.

*one more +1 on the DS-5 Noir edition. I'm thinking about stripping and painting my backup from battered-blue to flat-black now.
Title: Re: Finally ordering a Series
Post by: dannobasso on May 19, 2020, 04:52:10 PM
I agree on the black DS5 as well. It suit my, ..... Idiom!
Title: Re: Finally ordering a Series
Post by: pauldo on May 19, 2020, 05:34:25 PM
:-D
Title: Re: Finally ordering a Series
Post by: keith_h on May 19, 2020, 09:36:11 PM
Let me guess the color will be black?
Title: Re: Finally ordering a Series
Post by: dannobasso on May 19, 2020, 10:01:40 PM
Could be, maybe a tint, depends on how fancy the wood faces will be.
Title: Re: Finally ordering a Series
Post by: adriaan on May 20, 2020, 11:11:01 AM
Leaning towards Balance K Omega with Cone for the string tension off the nut. Nice direct lines . I have crown ones and the angles aren't as pleasing to the eye. I imaging there are some vibration issues too.
Way to go Danno! Everybody should own a Series instrument, and some more than others.  8)

For a 6 string I think Susan and Mica suggest a Knobby headstock, as the low B on a Crown 6 usually sits a little too close to the nut so you wind up with part of fattest part of the string on the post. On mine, we moved the tuners a little away from the nut, and we moved the tailpiece a little towards the point, so the B string winds much the same as the others. On a long scale with an Omega cut-out that might be a tight fit, but on a medium scale you might just get away with it.

Here's (http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=24661.msg246742#msg246742) a post showing both ends of that bass.
Title: Re: Finally ordering a Series
Post by: StephenR on May 20, 2020, 01:45:18 PM
Danno,

Congrats on the new build order, I love the Balance K body shape (and Series electronics) so to me you are making a great choice. Mine is a long scale five-string, Omega cut with a crown headstock. The build sheet says that the bass has a "custom Crown peghead shape" and the B-string fits fine, could be that the peghead is a bit longer so the B-string tuner can be further from the nut. I guess the tailpiece may be back a bit, too.  As Adriaan points out the Knobby headstock is a good choice for a six string, too. It sounded like you have enough instruments with a Crown peghead and want something different but in case the decision is mainly because of the string pull on the B you could ask about a custom Crown peghead to avoid the issue.

Pics of the peghead and tailpiece can be found here.

http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=24570.0

Flip, the black DS5s are really cool, glad you were the lucky recipient!
Title: Re: Finally ordering a Series
Post by: David Houck on May 21, 2020, 09:07:53 AM
Congrats on the order!!  Keep us apprised of the progress.
Title: Re: Finally ordering a Series
Post by: keith_h on May 21, 2020, 03:13:20 PM
Could be, maybe a tint, depends on how fancy the wood faces will be.

From some of the solid color instruments I've seen under construction they all have nice wood underneath. I'm sure it will look great regardless of which way you. Congrats.
Title: Re: Finally ordering a Series
Post by: dannobasso on May 30, 2020, 02:55:20 PM
Worked out a few more details with Susan the other day. Koa top,  ebony lam, black opaque finish, black hardware and knobby headstock. So it will look like a blacked out Phil model. Now to talk to Mica about the neck dimensions and we are off to the races.
Title: Re: Finally ordering a Series
Post by: keith_h on June 01, 2020, 06:32:11 AM
Can't wait to see the finished instrument.
Title: Re: Finally ordering a Series
Post by: FC Bass on June 01, 2020, 07:39:03 AM
+ 1 Going to be an awesome one, congrats!
Title: Re: Finally ordering a Series
Post by: KR on June 01, 2020, 07:17:01 PM
Exciting. Brings back memories of when I ordered my first Series 1 in 1978.
Title: Re: Finally ordering a Series
Post by: dannobasso on June 10, 2020, 08:13:00 PM
The check is in the mail to Susan. Just have to make a final decision on neck dimensions. Phil spacing may be a bit narrow for slapping if the mood takes me. I have and had most spacings, scale lentos and string configs available so what will be the best for my last bass purchase? Hmmnnnn........
Title: Re: Finally ordering a Series
Post by: David Houck on June 10, 2020, 08:38:36 PM
   :)
Title: Re: Finally ordering a Series
Post by: dannobasso on June 12, 2020, 04:46:32 PM
Hashed out neck dimensions with Mica today. Going to be slightly wider than Phil's at the nut and the width at the bridge will allow for all manner of styles, pick, pluck and slap. Work order written and let the games begin!
Title: Re: Finally ordering a Series
Post by: kenbass4 on June 13, 2020, 04:22:05 PM
Congrats Danno! I know my other Alembics suffered ( just a little) once I got my Series 2
Title: Re: Finally ordering a Series
Post by: mario_farufyno on June 14, 2020, 11:11:13 AM
Congratulations Danno!
Title: Re: Finally ordering a Series
Post by: keith_h on June 14, 2020, 02:53:30 PM
Congratulations. Are you planning to forego a FTC thread?
Title: Re: Finally ordering a Series
Post by: dannobasso on June 17, 2020, 09:11:28 PM
No Keith, I would very much like one if the powers that be can put it together. I think we all love watching the process. I know I do.
Hope you and your are happy, healthy and hopeful for the future.
Title: Re: Finally ordering a Series
Post by: dannobasso on September 23, 2020, 06:17:23 PM
Mica left me a voice mail saying my bass is in spray. They are really cranking these days. Perhaps she is squirreling away some pics for me?
Title: Re: Finally ordering a Series
Post by: mica on September 23, 2020, 08:35:15 PM
Well I guessed I missed your request above, Dan! I'll get an FTC thread going for you right away. I just have the first few pictures, but I'll get some more added in about a week.
Title: Re: Finally ordering a Series
Post by: David Houck on September 24, 2020, 06:27:06 PM
Cool!
Title: Re: Finally ordering a Series
Post by: dannobasso on September 25, 2020, 06:18:35 PM
Thank you Mica! I'm extremely pleased that I'll be able to see the gestation of my most elaborate baby. I'm sure some others here won't mind it either.
Title: Re: Finally ordering a Series
Post by: jon_jackson on September 26, 2020, 06:56:22 AM
Very pleased to be able to see a new FTC thread!