Alembic Guitars Club

Alembic products => Alembic Basses & Guitars => Topic started by: s_wood on May 23, 2005, 09:00:57 AM

Title: The Suck Knob: What Will They Think of Next?
Post by: s_wood on May 23, 2005, 09:00:57 AM

So I got my new Series II 5 string last week.  It's beautiful, of course, and it plays great and sounds even better.  Once I got over the intial shock of how amazing the bass was in every way I noticed that there was an extra control knob!  The bass was supposed to have a master volume, pickup pan, and a filter and qvc for each pickup - 6 knobs in all.  However, there were 7 knobs on the bass.    
 
I spent the whole rehearsal trying to figure out what the extra knob did, but no matter how I tweaked things I couldn't hear any difference in volume or tone.  Finally, bewildered, I just  turned the knob to its full off position and gave up.  Almost immediately, I noticed that I was playing past the limits of my ability.  I had chops like Stanley or Wooten (well, almost) and a harmonic sense like Coltrane.  I figured it was just the killer tone, perfect neck and the whole Alembic vibe - but then I rotated the 7th knob back to its middle position and I was me again.  With the knob in the full on position, I was still playing like me - but it was the version of me that comes out with no sleep and 10 beers!              
 
Suddenly, I realized what the 7th knob was -- it was a suck knob!  Turn it down, and I sucked less.  Turn it up, and I sucked more!  What will those magicians at Alembic think of next?   Susan later tried to convince me that it was a dimmer for the LED's, but I know better!
 
(Message edited by s_wood on May 23, 2005)

Title: The Suck Knob: What Will They Think of Next?
Post by: bracheen on May 23, 2005, 10:08:53 AM

I think the one on my bass got broken off in the full on position.

Title: The Suck Knob: What Will They Think of Next?
Post by: glocke on May 23, 2005, 11:10:49 AM

WOW...I need one of those!!! Can Alembic retrofit my series one with one?????

Title: The Suck Knob: What Will They Think of Next?
Post by: glocke on May 23, 2005, 11:15:49 AM

Hey Steve,
 
Where abouts in wilmington do you play?  Philly arae here, formerly of Newark DE among other places....

Title: The Suck Knob: What Will They Think of Next?
Post by: dubalbal on May 23, 2005, 11:37:52 AM

Hi Steve ,  
 
...i 'll also have a  crazy knob  on my future series 2 ...i'm already getting crazy after what you said...btw , could you post pics and pics...and pics of your 2 new S2?
 
Thanks  
 
 
ALAIN

Title: The Suck Knob: What Will They Think of Next?
Post by: David Houck on May 23, 2005, 02:25:59 PM

Great story Steve!!

Title: The Suck Knob: What Will They Think of Next?
Post by: kungfusheriff on May 23, 2005, 10:26:00 PM

Eureka!
Thanks for the hint, and congrats on the new bass.

Title: The Suck Knob: What Will They Think of Next?
Post by: foth on May 25, 2005, 02:57:36 AM

Steve, I think you have a light pan knob.  When it's turned one way, the LED's glow brightly.  When it's turned the other way, the light bulb above your head glows brightly!

Title: The Suck Knob: What Will They Think of Next?
Post by: bigredbass on May 26, 2005, 11:02:23 PM

Geeez. . . . I think the BigRedBass has a 'suck circuit' that operates intermittently . . . today when I went to practice, DAAMMMN it was on the whole time . . . . my playing REALLY sucked . . . but then once or twice a week, I play really well, and it's obviously out of the circuit . . . pick up the next day, BBOOOOMM, there it is again ! ! !  I guess I'll have to get a quote from Mica about ADDING THAT KNOB so I can turn it off ! !  I've looked inside for a tube around a couple of the leads (you know, kinda like that RF choke) made of UnObtanium, but there's just not one in there.  Can't find it listed in Custom Quote (or THE KNOB or the circuit) . . .I just KNOW that Jimmy and Stanley and EVH have theirs permanently wired to ground/shunt, so maybe Ron can wire one in mine . . . sure be worth the wait . . . .
 
J o e y
 
(Message edited by bigredbass on May 26, 2005)

Title: The Suck Knob: What Will They Think of Next?
Post by: bigredbass on May 26, 2005, 11:03:47 PM

Oh by the way, Mica, mine will DEFINITELY need to go to ELEVEN !
 
J o e y

Title: The Suck Knob: What Will They Think of Next?
Post by: bassicinstincts on May 30, 2005, 03:12:27 PM

I was rather worried by the title of this thread, and my inquisitive mind had to have a peek inside at the content.  
 
I'm relieved by the content I found  
 
My old B2A Hohner has a habit of overdriving the bass signal in the passive mode. From nice clean, EB-0 sound to an upright on steroids in a quick flick of the wrist!!
 
Wish it had a suck knob installed too!
Ben

Title: The Suck Knob: What Will They Think of Next?
Post by: wideload on May 31, 2005, 11:14:21 AM

May I come to the defense of all things Alembic:
 
The suck knob is a seldom obliged addition (like maple fretboards and dummy pickups) for great players(like all of you!) who occasionally need to protect their time or get off an annoying gig. Alembics, if left to their own devises, CANNOT suck. Note selection or technique may not be of the highest quality, but you will sound bad GREAT!
 
Larry

Title: The Suck Knob: What Will They Think of Next?
Post by: elwoodblue on June 10, 2005, 06:06:15 PM

...and I was sure it was some sort of subtractive synthesis with adjustable 'Q',
 
 kris

Title: The Suck Knob: What Will They Think of Next?
Post by: gare on June 13, 2005, 06:17:31 AM

Gawd !
I thought it was just me !
Seems my Q switch functions that way sometimes in the boost position, the other day it sounded like I was playing my right handed bass lefty.
 
Gary

Title: The Suck Knob: What Will They Think of Next?
Post by: 82daion on June 23, 2005, 02:46:17 PM

It seems that most Fenders have their suck knob set permanently to 11.

Title: The Suck Knob: What Will They Think of Next?
Post by: sfnic on June 24, 2005, 05:41:15 PM

Title: The Suck Knob: What Will They Think of Next?
Post by: lidon2001 on June 24, 2005, 06:19:39 PM

Gentlemen,
 
Just to make sure, I just checked my 1983 Fullerton '62 Jazz Bass Re-Issue, and for the life of me I can't find a suck knob.  True, it was worked on by Jaco's luthier, brass nut, Ken Smith bridge, EMG's (still have the originals and considering putting them back in), so maybe he removed it.  Anyway, no suck knob on my Jazz bass, and it has tons of piano-like tone and a rock solid, straight neck.
 
For those who haven't had the privilege of playing a properly setup Fender product, the right one is truly a joy to play, and creates many of the tones we all know and love.  It's just that their typical electronics do not contain a suck knob.  No room for it in the control cavity.
 
Regards,
 
Tom