Alembic Guitars Club

Alembic products => Dreaming... for now => Topic started by: edwin on February 01, 2008, 02:28:57 PM

Title: Changing a point to an omega
Post by: edwin on February 01, 2008, 02:28:57 PM

I don't know if anyone remembers this thread from 2006, but it's now happening. Here's a before shot:   and now it's looking like this:   Edwin
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/402/48192.jpg)
    Mica and the gang were great to work with and they came up with a really nice omega. In the back, there is a beautiful piece of Macassar ebony filling in the battery box:  
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/402/48193.jpg)
   I can't wait to get it back and play it again!

Title: Changing a point to an omega
Post by: s_wood on February 01, 2008, 05:04:08 PM

Beautiful!   What's the top? Zebrawood?

Title: Changing a point to an omega
Post by: edwin on February 01, 2008, 05:06:52 PM

Schedua. It was built in '78.
 
Edwin

Title: Changing a point to an omega
Post by: Bradley Young on February 01, 2008, 05:37:51 PM

Edwin,
 
If this is the bass with bad finish checking that I saw at the factory on Tuesday, then I'd like to put in my vote for some amber tint to make sure and restore the vintage vibe.
 
Bradley

Title: Changing a point to an omega
Post by: mica on February 01, 2008, 07:44:38 PM

FYI- this is not the bass you saw, Bradley.

Title: Changing a point to an omega
Post by: edwin on February 01, 2008, 09:51:39 PM

Thanks for thinking of my vintage vibe, but I am really looking forward to something a little more true to the wood. I've had it looking vintage for quite some time now and I think I'll have it long enough for it to be vintage all over again!
 
Edwin

Title: Changing a point to an omega
Post by: Bradley Young on February 02, 2008, 11:02:00 AM

Edwin,
 
The current paint that they use doesn't yellow with UV exposure (aka age) like the older instruments did; Alembic uses a UV blocker now.
 
But I understand the sentiment.  Definitely.
 
I'm sure you already figured this out, but that is one sweet, sweet looking bass.  The Schedua top is really superb, and the Macassar Ebony filler is a neat touch (and looks vintage, thinking of the plates they used to cover the Modulus graphite necks).

Title: Changing a point to an omega
Post by: s_wood on February 03, 2008, 10:46:06 AM

Schedua! Wow, I've never seen schedua like that.
Are you having the electronics upgrade done as well?

Title: Changing a point to an omega
Post by: edwin on February 03, 2008, 01:44:51 PM

You know, I've never noticed a problem with my electronics, they've been pretty quiet. I think it's going to be about all my wallet can handle to do this work, so I'll leave it at that for now, unless the elves of alembic take it upon themselves to do any work.
 
Edwin

Title: Changing a point to an omega
Post by: s_wood on February 03, 2008, 05:18:44 PM

My experience matches exactly what Mica has told me about the upgrade: some basses need it badly, while others are pretty quiet without it. If you've got a quiet one, you're all set!

Title: Changing a point to an omega
Post by: David Houck on February 03, 2008, 09:20:23 PM

Looks great!

Title: Changing a point to an omega
Post by: funkyjazzjunky on February 04, 2008, 09:44:44 AM

Now I have a add Schedua to my I wish I had that list
 
Lovely bass

Title: Changing a point to an omega
Post by: bassman10096 on February 07, 2008, 10:19:55 AM

Cool idea.  30 years as a point.  Now, a stretch as an omega.  Dare I speculate that, by 2038 or so, it could morph into a Triple-O?
 
Looks like a nice bass for exactly the right makeover.  Good luck with it and please post pix when it's completed.
Bill (the other one)

Title: Changing a point to an omega
Post by: georgie_boy on February 07, 2008, 10:49:12 AM

Edwin
IMHO  When everything changes, finish,electronics etc etc the SOUND changes as well
Maybe I'm just an old geek, but if the sound is good, altering one or more aspects of the instrument could have a radical change on the sound.---------For sound, READ    Tone
I just think that, like my old 76, changes would alter the SWEETNESS of the tone
Ask KEAVIN---------he's got old #12
Just my 2 cents  my friend
 
G

Title: Changing a point to an omega
Post by: edwin on February 08, 2008, 12:04:01 AM

G, I hear what you are saying. The thing is, it's all good. The sound of the bass was fine, but I think the old finish, which was very thick, inhibited the tone. I have really liked all the newer Alembics I've played, so I imagine the tone will change, but it won't be worse, just different and maybe better (hopefully better). Given that it can't be less than excellent means that to me, even if it does change, it will still be great! I'll be sure to let everyone know.
 
Edwin
PS I was really tempted to go with the oil finish because I love the tone of all my oil finish basses, but Mica pretty much explained how much better the regular finish protects the bass and that the tone shouldn't be that different.

Title: Changing a point to an omega
Post by: s_wood on February 08, 2008, 01:50:01 PM

Hmmm...to my ears there is a pretty big difference between an oil finish and a poly gloss finish. To my ears, oil finishes impart a sound that is, well, oily.  No joke intended: the sound seems slightly smothered, and the high-end response is reduced.  However, to me the difference in tone caused by replacing a poly finish from the 70's with a modern one is fairly minimal. There may be a difference in tone, but I doubt it would be noticeable in a live or recorded mix.  
 
A lot of the conventional wisdom about the magnitude of the change in tone caused by a refin comes from the time back in the 60's and 70's when refin meant replacing a nitrocellulose lacquer originally applied in the 50's or early 60's with a more modern poly finish.  I totally agree that replacing a nitro finish with a poly finish will greatly influence the tone of the instrument, but the difference caused by replacing a modern poly gloss finish with another poly gloss finish is pretty subtle.

Title: Changing a point to an omega
Post by: David Houck on February 08, 2008, 05:20:55 PM

Reminds me of the Red Violin.

Title: Changing a point to an omega
Post by: georgie_boy on February 09, 2008, 01:32:06 AM

I think you are right in what you say Edwin & Steve.
I suppose I was thinking of the old school method.
Alembic will make it just perfect (as usual)
Keep us all posted
 
G

Title: Changing a point to an omega
Post by: edwin on March 07, 2008, 05:39:36 PM

Here's pic Mica sent me of the buffed out body.

Title: Changing a point to an omega
Post by: edwin on March 07, 2008, 05:40:24 PM

Here's pic Mica sent me of the rubbed out body.
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/402/49262.jpg)

Title: Changing a point to an omega
Post by: David Houck on March 07, 2008, 06:22:56 PM

Looking really nice!

Title: Changing a point to an omega
Post by: edwin on March 14, 2008, 11:03:03 PM

The finished bass arrived today and it looks simply stupendous. The folks in Santa Rosa did a spectacular job. I know a little further up we were discussing the potential tonal changes and the tone has changed, but for the better. Acoustically, it felt much more like it had a boxy, boinky tone, now it sounds smoother and more open. It also handles very nicely. The transition from the glossy finish to the matte finish is really nice. Having a good smooth finish on the neck really makes a huge difference. In some ways it feels like a different bass, but it still has the all the good qualities it always did. Just easier to play and a clearer sound. I'll take a few pics tomorrow and put them up. Then, next week we go on the road!
 
Thanks to all at Alembic for bringing to fruition how I always knew this instrument should be!
 
Edwin

Title: Changing a point to an omega
Post by: 5stringho on March 15, 2008, 07:04:14 AM

Hey, Edwin!
 
Glad the project tuned out as well as it did. She looks great, can't wait to see the pics of the completed Bass. Enjoy her for many more years, good luck on the tour, and if you get close we'll try to come out and hear You and the Taxi!
Have fun, Mike, tho =]

Title: Changing a point to an omega
Post by: David Houck on March 17, 2008, 09:54:00 PM

Congrats!  Looking forward to pics!

Title: Changing a point to an omega
Post by: edwin on May 12, 2008, 03:51:32 PM

I posted some pics at . They are a little scrambled up, but the bass is awesome. I'll be posting some live shots soon. A friend took some on my recent midwest tour, but the disc he burned for me didn't work out.
 
Edwin

Title: Changing a point to an omega
Post by: edwin on May 12, 2008, 03:51:57 PM

I posted some pics at . They are a little scrambled up, but the bass is awesome. I'll be posting some live shots soon. A friend took some on my recent midwest tour, but the disc he burned for me didn't work out.
 
Edwin(http://club.alembic.com/Images/402/51828.jpg)

Title: Changing a point to an omega
Post by: happy_face on May 12, 2008, 07:09:34 PM

Doesn't compare well with your departed (DS's) EB-3, does it?       ;)

Title: Changing a point to an omega
Post by: edwin on May 12, 2008, 09:14:00 PM

Ah well, I have to admit that I've been perusing ebay for another EB-3.........
 
Edwin