Alembic Guitars Club

Alembic products => Dreaming... for now => Topic started by: nick_bassman on June 07, 2003, 11:10:47 AM

Title: Request for Mica
Post by: nick_bassman on June 07, 2003, 11:10:47 AM: Hi Mica

It's Nick here (the custom 6 String Europa in progress). I just saw the post with the custom knobs from THG and I thought I've just got to go with those for my new baby. What I'm hoping is that you can help me to get some and fit them before my bass gets shipped. Would that be possible ?

Best wishes

Nick
Title: Request for Mica
Post by: mica on June 07, 2003, 01:37:16 PM: On Friday I called up Roger from THG to thank him for helping outfit their basses with such nice looking knobs. I will ring him on Monday regarding knobs for your bass. Do you have any preferences for style or materials?

I like the way look with Ebony as the primary wood. Perhaps a Walnut cap and a mother of pearl indicator would look nice on yours
Title: Request for Mica
Post by: nick_bassman on June 08, 2003, 01:30:24 PM: Hi Mica

Stoney's knobs are indeed fine.
I would like to incorporate woods used in the rest of the bass. I had thoughts on the following combos :
Walnut/Myrtle cap/Purpleheart dot
Purpleheart/Walnut cap/Myrtle dot

I will happily take your suggestions on these.
Also given the gloss finish on the bass (as opposed to stoney's oiled) do you think the knobs would look better gloss too ?

Thanks

Nick
Title: Request for Mica
Post by: nick_bassman on June 11, 2003, 02:45:35 PM: Hi Mica

Any thoughts on my suggestions ?

I would appreciate them very much.

Thanks Nick
Title: Request for Mica
Post by: mica on June 11, 2003, 03:37:03 PM: I'm not sure if the THG knobs are offered in different finishes, I've never even seen one in person myself.

I suppose it matters if you want the knobs to blend in or stand out, this will depend on your personal taste.

As for my personal taste, I favor the look of Ebony for the main knob stock as it's not entirely obvious it's even wood at all. But I go for really understaed looks. Of your two proposals, I think I would like the Walnut with the Myrtle cap better.
Title: Request for Mica
Post by: thg_knobs on June 11, 2003, 04:44:02 PM: Hi there!

I (Roger from THG Knobs) do offer different finishes, including no finish at all. If there is a picture of the instrument that I could see, I can put samples together for you to view to make a final decision on design.

Thanks to Mica and everybody here for your support.

Roger
THG Knobs
http://www.thgknobs.com (http://www.thgknobs.com)
Title: Request for Mica
Post by: nick_bassman on June 12, 2003, 11:40:43 AM: Hi Roger

Thanks for the information.
Perhaps Mica will be able to post a picture for us ?

I would like to think about the Walnut/Myrtle option. What are the available styles ?

Thanks

Nick
Title: Request for Mica
Post by: thg_knobs on June 12, 2003, 02:14:39 PM: Hi, Nick,

Any style you like. Domed, flat, stacked, inlayed, capped, skirted, etc. I am even working on a crazy hex nut shaped knob. Anybody interested?

Roger
Title: Request for Mica
Post by: nick_bassman on June 13, 2003, 04:09:59 AM: Hi Roger

I actually really like the Alembic style with the skirt and the arrow pointer. I don't know if that would be possible or what the cost would be.

Thanks

Nick
Title: Request for Mica
Post by: thg_knobs on June 13, 2003, 09:43:19 AM: No problem, Nick. I can do that for you. email me the specifics and I can give you a quote.

Roger
Title: Request for Mica
Post by: dela217 on June 13, 2003, 10:56:16 AM: I am a fan of that type of knob too and would love to see a set in birdseye maple to match my bass.

Roger maybe we can send you a typical pilgrim hat and you can duplicate it?

Michael
Title: Request for Mica
Post by: thg_knobs on June 13, 2003, 12:27:12 PM: Absolutely, Michael. That would be great. My address is on my web site. www.thgknobs.com (http://www.thgknobs.com)

Roger
Title: Request for Mica
Post by: nick_bassman on June 13, 2003, 01:49:45 PM: Hi Roger

I was thinking of walnut as the main wood with a myrtle cap and a purpleheart or myrtle arrow. The shape would be pilgrim hat too. I think we would need to check with Mica the number and sizes the bass has S2 electronics so there are a few.

Thanks for help

Nick
Title: Request for Mica
Post by: thg_knobs on June 13, 2003, 03:33:30 PM: That is doable. If you have apicture of the knobs you want duplicated, I can get a price together. I will need to see the size and placement of the arrow to give you a quote. If you have such a picture, you can email it to me at roger@thgknobs.com (mailto:roger@thgknobs.com).

Thanks again,

Roger
THG Knobs
Title: Request for Mica
Post by: nick_bassman on June 17, 2003, 04:40:58 AM: Hi Roger

I can't find a picture I'm afraid.
Perhaps Mica can help here with some pictures and dimensions ?
I also want to retain the pointer style pickup selector.

Regards

Nick
Title: Request for Mica
Post by: thg_knobs on June 17, 2003, 11:25:31 PM: No problem, Nick. I am making some pointer style knobs for Stoney right now. I will see if I can get one from Mica to make sure the size is correct for you.

Roger
Title: Request for Mica
Post by: mica on June 18, 2003, 11:04:46 AM: I'll send down some sample knobs to you today, Roger.
Title: Request for Mica
Post by: nick_bassman on June 18, 2003, 11:54:03 AM: Thanks for that Mica
Title: Request for Mica
Post by: thg_knobs on June 18, 2003, 05:07:55 PM: Thanks, Mica.
Title: Request for Mica
Post by: mica on June 18, 2003, 05:22:12 PM: I sent you one each of the typical knobs you'll run into on Alembics. Now Roger will have samples of both the 1/4 and 1/8 shaft Hat knobs, the pointer knob for pickup selectors and CVQs, plus the Swiss-made collet knob.
Title: Request for Mica
Post by: thg_knobs on June 18, 2003, 10:30:48 PM: Right on!

Thanks!!
Title: Request for Mica
Post by: mik on July 01, 2003, 08:32:37 AM: Ahhh, the Swiss-made collect knob! I've been watching this thread and wondering about the collet jobbies. I was going to get some hat knobs for my JJ at one point and Mica and I discussed it but decided that the Allen screw would only just bite on the very end of the pot shaft. Sounded to me like it might have been a bit hit and miss. I guess the collet knob style pot shafts are shorter than those designed for the grub screw style of fixing.

I like the look of these THG knobs though. Will you be able to produce a collet version Roger? I guess it would have to be two-piece with a removable cap unless you were able to produce an Allen-screw type with the screw set even closer to the end of the knob such that it would grip well on a standard collet-style pot shaft?

Mik
Title: Request for Mica
Post by: thg_knobs on July 01, 2003, 10:48:05 AM: Hey, Mik,

Let me take a close look at the collet style knobs that Mica sent and see what I can do with the design of a wood knob to ensure a proper fit. I'm sure I can get a design to work for you.

Roger
THG Knobs
Title: Request for Mica
Post by: dela217 on July 01, 2003, 12:36:32 PM: I put some of those hat knobs on a bass that was originally fitted with the collet style knobs. It worked perfectly for me. I did it about a year or so ago. Still holding strong. Can't wait to see his hat variant of those wood knobs.
Title: Request for Mica
Post by: nick_bassman on July 01, 2003, 02:20:19 PM: Hi Roger

I'm really looking forward to hearing what you can do with the hat knobs !
When you have the options please let me know.

Nick
Title: Request for Mica
Post by: thg_knobs on July 02, 2003, 05:46:09 PM: Hey, Nick,

I will send you a pic of the knobs that Mica sent me and you can let me know which style you prefer. Hat knobs and collet knobs have been mentioned in this thread and I want to make sure I can do the correct ones for you. The collet knobs are not at all a problem. I do not believe that the hat knobs will be either.

Later,

Roger
THG Knobs
Title: Request for Mica
Post by: bob on July 02, 2003, 06:26:37 PM: Roger,

Perhaps you could do several of us a favor, and post the set of standard knobs here. I'm a little confused on this myself... I don't have my bass yet, but I would describe the knobs on my SF-2 as being both 'hat' and 'collet', and was under the impression they are the same as used on instruments, available in both 3/4 and 1/2 inch knob diameters (not clear on shaft sizes).

The other thing I'm a bit curious about is whether you've done much with knob styles that have a 'tactile arrow' - still a round knob (not a pointer or 'chicken head' style), but with an indicator that you can actually feel. I could imagine a slightly protruding inlay up the side, or something like that.

I'm really not anywhere close to thinking about ordering knobs, but at least the idea is floating around in the back of my mind.

Thanks.
-Bob
Title: Request for Mica
Post by: thg_knobs on July 02, 2003, 06:41:35 PM: Hi, Bob,

I will post the pix of the knobs here. As for the tactile arrow, I can do that. I have not yet done it but it should be easy enough to do if requested.

Roger
THG Knobs
Title: Request for Mica
Post by: thg_knobs on July 15, 2003, 08:09:29 PM: Well, I have tried numerous times and cannot get the picture of the knobs to upload. I will add it to my web site and provide a link when I have done so.

Sorry for the delay.

Roger
THG Knobs

(Message edited by thg_knobs on July 15, 2003)
Title: Request for Mica
Post by: nick_bassman on July 24, 2003, 04:39:40 AM: Hi Roger

Any luck with those pictures ?
Looking forward to seeing them and making a decision.

Regards

Nick
Title: Request for Mica
Post by: thg_knobs on July 27, 2003, 01:58:42 PM: Hey, Nick,
I have been buried in work. So sorry. I will get the pic on my site before the end of the day today.

Roger
THG Knobs

I will also post a custom set of hat knobs that I made for an Alembic that are pretty cool.
Title: Request for Mica
Post by: thg_knobs on July 27, 2003, 03:26:44 PM: Here is the link to the Alembic knobs:

http://www.thgknobs.com/NewPage.html (http://www.thgknobs.com/NewPage.html)

ENJOY!

Roger
THG Knobs
Title: Request for Mica
Post by: the_schwartz on July 27, 2003, 10:29:11 PM: Yow!!! Those Yin/Yang knobs are among your best yet.

Joe
Title: Request for Mica
Post by: nick_bassman on July 28, 2003, 11:08:28 AM: Hi Roger

It's definitely the hat knobs I like the best and I think there are also the pu selector switches on my set up. Perhaps Mica can fill you in on the exact numbers and types required ?

I would like to go with walnut main body and myrtle caps and probably the pointer (in the hat knob) in myrtle too. Could you let me have a quote for this ?

Thanks for your help.

Nick
Title: Request for Mica
Post by: nick_bassman on July 28, 2003, 11:12:02 AM: Hi Mica

Could you provide the info for Roger ?

Also will there be enough room for the hats or will it look too cluttered ?

Thanks for your help

Nick

PS. Any in progress pictures of my baby ?
Title: Request for Mica
Post by: thg_knobs on July 31, 2003, 11:59:05 PM: Hey, Nick,

The knobs without the pointer will be $21 each. If you want the actual arrow pointer inlayed, i will have to calculate a price. If you just want a position marker dot, add $3/knob. The PU selector teardrop knob with the Myrtle cap will be $26. For a second set screw in each knob, add $1/knob.

I will let you know on the cost of an arrow inlay for the position marker.

Thanks again,

Roger
THG Knobs
Title: Request for Mica
Post by: nick_bassman on August 06, 2003, 01:05:47 AM: Hi Roger

Thanks for your help on this.

I would like to get Mica's thoughts on how many and what type of knob to go for on my bass. I'm thinking because of the large number a mixture might be in order. Something like the top hat style for the main functions (volumes) and smaller knobs for the other (tone) functions.

What do you think Mica ?

Regards

Nick
Title: Request for Mica
Post by: nick_bassman on October 09, 2003, 10:31:11 AM: Any thoughts on this Mica ?
Title: Request for Mica
Post by: mica on October 09, 2003, 11:51:40 AM: This is the part that really gets down the personal taste and each player's interaction with the controls. For me, I rarely use the volume control, so I'd probably make it smaller if I were varying the size of the knobs. But that's just me. I know many players use the volume control throughout their performance, so it would make sense to make that knob larger if your playing style directs it to.

I'm sure there will be enough room for the top hat style knobs. We don't change the position where the hole is drilled for the controls unless there is a special case where a customer requests many more controls than are normally found on a given body shape.

Also, the change from the original top hat knob to the Swiss-made collet knob was not done for size contraints. The top hat knobs were unavailable for several years (at least we couldn't find a source), so we had to find a suitable alternative.

Some people like to use the smaller size knob to see slightly more of the top laminate. Some people prefer the traditional look of the top hat knobs.

Which style of knob do you like better?
Title: Request for Mica
Post by: nick_bassman on October 17, 2003, 08:20:32 AM: Thanks for your help Mica.

The top hats always say Alembic to me, I don't know why !!

I think the mix idea you have is good but I don't really know all the controls that I'll have at my disposal. Perhaps you could enlighten me on the gamut of controls with the S2 electronics.

Thanks Nick

PS. Are there any pics of the bass that you could post ?