Alembic Guitars Club

Alembic products => Alembic Basses & Guitars => Topic started by: Googe Endeveronte (goooge) on October 25, 2002, 04:29:04 AM

Title: Do any models have a neck angle?
Post by: Googe Endeveronte (goooge) on October 25, 2002, 04:29:04 AM

I have always thought that alembics had 0 neck angle-but the featured construction Hotfudge looks like it has a neck angle (the joiner shot.)
trick of the eye?
anybody?
 

Title: Do any models have a neck angle?
Post by: Paul Lindemans (palembic) on October 25, 2002, 05:30:21 AM

Hey Googe,
am I seeing this good: you posted at 04:29 in the morning? Woooooooaaaaaah! It's afternoon here!
Can it be that I'm missing something in your message? Ought there to be a picture? Maybe I misinterpret the question. I'm not that fluent in english.
 
Paul

Title: Do any models have a neck angle?
Post by: mica on October 25, 2002, 09:43:26 AM

Here's  the picture (http://www3.alembic.com/img/hf_necksq1.jpg target=_blank) Googe is referring to. As far as I know we've almost always made our guitars and basses with a body draft angle. I've seen a few early examples and customs that didn't or used a smaller angle than we've been using for the last 25 years.  
 

Title: Do any models have a neck angle?
Post by: Googe Endeveronte (goooge) on October 25, 2002, 01:33:18 PM

I hate to be stupid-what is a body draft angle?

Title: Do any models have a neck angle?
Post by: mica on October 25, 2002, 02:20:09 PM

It's the angle you're referring to - the difference between the plane of the fingerboard gluing surface and the top of the body. I think we're using 2 different terms to describe the same exact thing.

Title: Do any models have a neck angle?
Post by: Googe Endeveronte (goooge) on October 25, 2002, 03:22:32 PM

thanks Mica-
is the angle severe like on a gibson?
I dont remember any angle on the few times I have played an alembic. (thus my question in the first place)
thanks!

Title: Do any models have a neck angle?
Post by: Joey Wilson (bigredbass) on October 27, 2002, 05:47:16 PM

Googe E:
 
Alembics actually have three angles:
 
1) The 'neck angle' you mention (or 'draft angle'  
   term that Mica used) is a construction method
   used to raise the string height at the bridge
 
2) ... so that the angle where the strings cross
   from the bridge to the tailpiece is greater.
   This tends to give greater sustain by creating
   more 'downforce' (to use a racing term) on the
   bridge. The separate tailpiece (and the brass  
   sustain block in some models) boosts sustain as
   well.
 
3) The 'third' angle is the headstock pitched down
   from the plane of the fingerboard.  Again, this
   makes more 'downforce' on the nut, adding    
   sustain.  It also simplifies restringing as  
   this allows the builder to eliminate the string
   trees used on Fender-style instruments. The  
   tree arrangement can't possibly deliver a  
   uniform loading to the nut.  GOTOH has even  
   begun building staggered-height tuning keys to
   attempt to compensate for this.
 
These construction methods are neither cheap or common in most basses. If you set out to build the very best, they are, however, the ONLY methods you would use.
 
Combine this with the laminated necks and slab ebony fingerboards, it's no wonder The BigRedBass seems to sustain forever, even at low volume.
 
I am continually delighted by the insight manifested in the construction of my bass.
 
Joey Wilson