Alembic Guitars Club
Alembic products => Factory to Customer => Topic started by: mica on January 17, 2003, 05:47:20 PM
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Here's a photo o fyour Thunderbird:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/3148.jpg)
Here's a quick look at modifying the body for better upper fret acces (in addition to the heel carving):
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/3149.jpg)
And to make sense of it all, here they are together for comparison:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/3150.jpg)
I think it's important to keep the lower horn sort of "chunky" looking. My mom was totally into the idea of the Alembic logo on the body where the Thunderbird is (without pickguard of course) and she'd do the painting of "Alembic" on the peghead liked we discussed.
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Here's a quickie version of the lower horn starting at the 17th fret, but ending where the original one does.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/3189.jpg)
Remember I said it was done quickly - it's not entirely smooth or anything, but it should be enough fo ryou to tell yes or no on the concept.
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With three pickups, you can't have the 24 fret fingerboard:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/3995.jpg)
With three pickups, we won't modify the shape of the lower horn from the original.
If you keep just two pickups, we can do 24 frets and also do the required mods to the shape to keep some upper fret access available to you.
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All,
any update on this project?? have been following and would love to see the results...
Danny
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I'll leave it up to Mica to explain exactly where in the construction process we are.
The idea behind this project was to violate the laws of nature by marrying my 2 favorite basses -- Alembics and old T-Birds. I love the T-Bird's body shape, so I didn't want to modify it too much. I also wanted to capture the essence of the T-Bird's tone, which is largely a function of it's all-mahagony neck and body, and the unique placement of the 2 pickups -- so we copied those things, too. Then, we added the versatility of Alembic electronics and the overall quality and vibe that they build into everything.
After many conversations with Mica, we've chosen to go with 2 pickups and 22 frets. There was no way to keep the original T-Bird shape (or something close to it), add 3 pickups and expand the number of frets past 20. I chose 22 frets over the 3rd pickup. After Mica played around with my T-Bird long enough, she decided and I agreed that the all-mahagony body and neck should produce a very warm and bassy tone. The T-Bird's brightness is a
function of its pickups, and the combination of Fat Boy pickups and 2 filters should allow me to dial in all the bass I could every want, thus making the third pickup unnecessary.
So, it's a T-Bird body (w/a 1/8 thick 5A quilt top for the pimp factor), 2 Fat Boy pickups with 2 filters, 2 3 position Q switches, a volume and a pan control.
I'll keep the club posted.
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I'll leave it up to Mica to explain exactly where in the construction process we are.
The idea behind this project was to violate the laws of nature by marrying my 2 favorite basses -- Alembics and old T-Birds. I love the T-Bird's body shape, so I didn't want to modify it too much. I also wanted to capture the essence of the T-Bird's tone, which is largely a function of its all-mahagony neck and body, and the unique placement of the 2 pickups -- so we copied those things, too. Then, we added the versatility of Alembic electronics and the overall quality and vibe that they build into everything.
After many conversations with Mica, we've chosen to go with 2 pickups and 22 frets. There was no way to keep the original T-Bird shape (or something close to it), add 3 pickups and expand the number of frets past 20. I chose 22 frets over the 3rd pickup. After Mica played around with my T-Bird long enough, she decided and I agreed that the all-mahagony body and neck should produce a very warm and bassy tone. The T-Bird's brightness is a
function of its pickups, and the combination of Fat Boy pickups and 2 filters should allow me to dial in all the bass I could every want, thus making the third pickup unnecessary.
So, it's a T-Bird body (w/a 1/8 thick 5A quilt top for the pimp factor), 2 Fat Boy pickups with 2 filters, 2 3 position Q switches, a volume and a pan control.
I'll keep the club posted.
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how is this thing going... i was interested
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The basses are still in the build stage... I'll leave it up to Mica or Val to provide a more comprehensive update. I promise I'll keep everyone posted as things progress!
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how is this thing going...i was interested also
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Yeah, it's been a long time since the last update... Is the project still alive?
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Yes, the project is still alive! Ill leave it to Mica or Susan to explain exactly where we are, but as for myself I sure hope to get the thing finished in a few months.
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Steve,
This sounds like a really cool project and I hope we get to see more pictures soon. My favorite Gibson bass was the EB-O because of its warm and deep bass tone, and it looks cool. Your Thunderbird should have that tone in spades plus a whole lot more. Good luck!
Jeff
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WASSUP WIT DAT THUNDERBIRD THERE!!!!!
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Back on the radar:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/13007.jpg)
Mike and Susan have been in full force. With the smaller reverse Elan peghead, it should balance a little better. I think this planning phase is just about wrapped up, once yu guys nail down the 20/24 fret thing, the chips will start flying!
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Great news!
How many frets are depicted in the drawing above?
Do you think that more than 20 or 22 frets would be inaccessible, given the body shape?
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Steve,
Good phone meeting today, 20 frets are depicted and we're making the changes we discussed. As Mica said, the chips are going to start flying. Mike loves new projects like this. More posts to comein the next few weeks.
-susan
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Right. We will go with 22 frets, and to slighlty improve access to the upper frets we will move the neck out one fret beyond where it joins the original T-Bird's body.
One of the challenges of this project is that the original T-Bird, as cool as it is, has some serious ergononmic flaws. Because of the large headstock and reversed body design on the original, the T-Bird is notoriously neck-heavy. The body design also creates terrible access to the T-Bird's upper frets -- it's hard to play much past the 17th fret.
Alembic would never design a bass with these kinds of design problems. But, the whole idea behind this project was to build a bass that looked like the T-Bird, but with Alembic's build quality and electronics (not to mention 5 strings). With that concept, there's no way the thing won't be neck heavy and afford decent access to the upper frets. We can tweak it, though, by using a small headstock, Hipshot Ultralight tuners and tweaking the neck/body joint.
T-Birds are cool. Alembirds will be cooler - and they will sound amazing! Can you say growl?
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Sooo... It's gonna be a 5-string???
It's gonna be helluva unusual bass - can't wait to see it happen!!!
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The neck of the Alembird:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/13557.jpg)
And the top will be this wood:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/13558.jpg)
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Wow!
I better get to work and re-learn The Real Me!
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I love it Steve! I see an Alembird in my future! In black of course. Fantastic top. You will be one happy customer.
Danno
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Danno - black with black hardware! Now that would be a gothic bass!
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Steve,
It's great to see that work on this very interesting project is progressing. And, once again Mr. Wood, you have somehow managed to secure another awesome piece of wood for your bass! Is this because the Wickersham's cannot help but bestow these honors upon you because your name is Mr. Wood, or is it because you have acquired one of the world's best collections of Alembic basses?
Speaking of awesome basses, are you tired yet of your Series II in Quilted Cocobolo?
http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/2889.html?1060212764 (http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=8592)
Mine needs company.
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Here's how to get the killer wood out of Susan and Mica: make a HUGE pain in the ass out of yourself, and wear them down. It works for me!
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Okay, just so no one gets the wrong idea, Steve is just kidding. I'm sure he knows how to be a HUGE pain in the ass but Mica and I have never seen it.
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Hey Steve,
John from Seattle... do you still have my Maple series II? What all is your quiver these days?
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Wasn't really thrilled with the Rosewood fingerboards, then Bob dug up this relic that Mom thought would be perfect for your project:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/13884.jpg)
This is a chunk of Braz. Rosewood we've had stashed for abotu 30 years. It's not wide enough for a top, even an Essence. Got more wavy grain than usual for a fingerboard, so thought we should check with you first if you wanted us to use it.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/13885.jpg)
Close-up look, hard to tell much for the plan view. Let mom know if you want this or have something else in mind.
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30 years old Braz. Rosewood?
I would surely know what to do, but I'm not entitled to answer for Steve... ;-)
Very interesting project BTW!
Wilfred
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Is this a trick question? Why would anyone say no?
The stuff is beautiful - let's do it!
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At first Chip thought the Maple pinstripes in the neck were too faint. But then he realized we were bookmatching to center, now he wants to keep the original neck:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/14101.jpg)
He even has the veneers on the peghead:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/14102.jpg)
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This one is going to be AWESOME.
No, wait. It already is.
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While we're at it, make sure the back is a goodie:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/18274.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/18275.jpg)
I apologize for the back of the peghead picture, it's not dull-looking at all, but all 3 shots I took look like it is. Colors are the same as the rest of the bass - it's all painted at the same time afterall.
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The neck lam mix for this bass is absolutely fantastic. On its own, it's subdued and not nearly as eye-catching as a maple/PH lam setup might be, but in the context of the Firebird body, it's absolutely perfect.
Especially down the back, with the amber center area of the 'burst. It's incredibly evocative of the original Gibsons, while at the same time being pure Alembic.
I was there while Mica was taking the pictures (hi, Bill, great to meet you!), and can confirm what Bill says: as great as it looks in the pictures, it'll blow your eyes out when you see it in person.
nic
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Here's Bob's latest finish:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/18922.jpg)
Now's the time you say, it's perfect, if in fact, it is.
Isn't it?
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Oh yeah, I quickly stuck some black in for the fingerboard and pickups, just to help the visualization:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/18924.jpg)
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Oh man, I want one! That is killer, Steve!
Reid
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Absolutely perfect!!! Bob really nailed it!!! Wow!!!
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though nailing wouldn't be the appropriate word to describe his action to produce this piece of art.
Nice ...really!
Paul TBO
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Steve,
I'm so glad that you had your bass refinished to allow much more of that strikingly beautiful quilted maple to shine through. This bass is going to be a true, one-of-a-kind masterpiece.
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I'm gonna cry..I want one too !
Love the finish...
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It really is beautiful, isn't it? I love the old-school vibe of the whole thing, and because it's an Alembic I know it will play and sound great. Can't wait to get it in my hands!
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The Alembird is finished!
I'll post some photos when I get a chance to take them, but as you can see from the shots above the bass is absolutely gorgeous. The finish really makes the killer quilt maple top scream! As beautiful as the bass is, though, it's the tone of the Alembird that really kills.
I am really blown away by the fantastic and unique tone of the bass. The all-mahagony neck and unique pickup placement of the Alembird were copied from the original Thunderbird, and by doing so we have created a bass that produces incredibly warm and singing upper mids just like the original T-Bird, but with the clarity and extended bass response of an Alembic. It's an Alembird for sure!
An unexpected benefit of the warmth of the mahagony neck's tone is that the Alembird comes pretty close to nailing that classic Jazz bass rear pickup Jaco burp! I've never been able to really coax that tone out of my maple neck Series basses, but the Alembird comes as close as you can get with a neck-through bass and wide aperture pickups. The filter and 3 position Q switch for each pickup allows me to sharpen the high end to add that characteristic Alembic clarity should I want it, and I can almost get the bass back to that classic Alembic grand piano tone.
How about this for Alembic magic? If you have ever played a Thunderbird you know that they are brutally neck heavy - take your hand off the neck and the peghead dives right to the floor! However, by re-designing the peghead and using Hipshot Ultralight tuners the magicians at Alembic have created a bass that balances perfectly!
I am really blown away by how well Susan, Mica and the gang were able to take my dream of combining the Thunderbird's looks and unique tonal characteristics with Alembic's tonal clarity and build quality. I've been dreaming about this bass for years, but the reality created by Alembic far surpasses my own hopes for the project.
This bass is my own personal tribute to John Entwistle. Now, if you will excuse me I am going to go re-learn The Real Me with my Alembird!
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No practicing until the pics are posted!!
Congrats!!!
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Steve, puh-leez post pics of that 30 year-old Brazilian Rosewood fretboard!! (Oh, and the rest of the bass, as well)
I must say, you're a man of great patience (2 yrs + in the making)...congratulations on a truly unique creation...
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Steve, I continue to be blown away by your dedication to your basses. Susan, Mica and crew: your ability to knock one out of the park... what can I say? No other company in the world could have done what you people seem to do routinely.
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Any pics yet?
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If you could please post some pictures it would be greatly appreciated!
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Here's a few of the snapshots I took before we shipped this bass:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/20649.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/20650.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/20651.jpg)
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Beautiful and stunning!
Thanks Mica.
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Steve:
Let me be the first to congratulate you on making COTM. A very beautiful and unique instrument. Very deserving of the honors. I've been watching the progress for a while now, always taking a peek at the 'bird whenever I dropped in at Alembic. I suspect it will be bringing you much happiness for a long time. Enjoy!
Bill, tgo
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Steve,
What can I say? Beautiful instrument. By the way, are those MXR-type knobs or is it just the photo angles? I love them.
Jonathan
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It is a real thrill and honor to own an Alembic worthy of COTM status. The Alembird is beautiful, as you can see. The best part, though, is what you can't see - the bass sounds fantastic and plays amazingly well. I am completely satisified with what Alembic has created.
I am particularly amazed, though not surprised, at the ability of Susan, Mica, Bob, Mike and everyone else to translate my necessarily subjective and vague concept of marrying an Alembic and a Thunderbird into a usable musical instrument with exactly the tonal qualities I was shooting for. The bass really does sound like a 50-50 mix of an Alembic and a T-Bird. It captures the warm and ringing mids of the T-Bird while retaining the clarity and tonal versatility of an Alembic, which is just what I was aiming for.
Alchemy, indeed! My profound thanks to everyone at Alembic - you all are the best!
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Jonathan:
Yep, those are MXR style knobs. They have a powerful '60's vibe, which is perfect for the project. Those folks at Alembic don't miss a trick!
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Congratulations on COTM steve. The rest of us are going to have to think pretty hard if we want our next instruments to join yours.
Graeme
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Striking!! And another great feature layout by Mica!
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I SO knew it was going to end up as COTM ;-) Congrats Steve - it's an absolutely amazing instrument.
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It doesn't seem like you'd be able to get at any of the higher frets. Is that part of the neck mostly for tapping, or a similar technique?
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You're right about the inaccessibility of the upper frets. It's pretty much impossible to play above the 16th fret on a Thunderbird as a consequence of the imperceptibbody design. By tweaking things a bit we were able to gain access to the 18th fret on the Alembird. The extension of the fretboard past the 20th fret was my idea, and it was a mistake in retrospect as I should never have thought to chew up any of that qorgeous quilt maple. My thinking at the time was to use a 24 fret fingerboard because that's what is standard on Alembics.
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Steve:
I am absolutely thrilled for you that this beauty of a bass has made COTM. It is just amazing that you and the crew at Alembic were able to achieve the tone you were seeking, and then some. Your post on August 6 says it all. Congratulations Steve.
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Congrats Steve on a beautiful instrument..and very appropriate COTM.
How heavy is it compared to the T-bird ?
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An old friend drove a late '60's T-Bird. It was at least 3500 lbs heavier than Steve's guitar. (Couldn't resist LOL)
Bill, tgo
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Gare:
I haven't weighed either my '64 T-Bird or the Alembird, but subjectively the basses weigh about the same. That's not a surprise as the basses are quite similar in terms of construction materials and design.
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Steve,
Have you picked up the trick someone here suggested of weighing yourself, then weighing yourself while holding the bass. The difference is the weight of the instrument.
Mike
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As a John Entwistle fan, would you call that technique Trick of the Weight?
AMAZING instrument Steve! Congrats!
Mike
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Not everybody loves the Alembird...
Check this out: http://www.vintagebass.com/thedudepit/showthread.php?t=4900 (http://www.vintagebass.com/thedudepit/showthread.php?t=4900)
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Well, each to their own I guess, I think it's fantastic. Seems to be about a 50-50 split but like you say, it's your bass and you love it so who cares what anyone else thinks.
BTW, I love the avatar BMORRI396 has chosen. Very eyecatching ;-)
Graeme
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Steve:
What Graeme said...screw 'em all! That thing is awesome and it's yours so who cares! I'd be proud to own the thing myself.
Cheers,
Kevin
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Steve,
It's a beautiful instrument, regardless. I would have preferred more access to the upper frets, but that's just me. You got what you wanted, and it's beautiful. I am truly jealous! Congrats on a great instrument!
Best regards,
Alan
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I would have preferred more access to the upper frets, too, but that simply isn't possible with the T-Bird's body shape. If you check out the very beginning of this thread in the archives through November 11 2004 you can see the results of Mica's Photoshop manipulations of the body shape in an attempt to provide better access to the upper frets. In my opinion, the better the upper fret access the weirder the body looked. So, since the concept here was to copy the T-Bird I went with the original body shape, warts and all.
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Steve,
I figured as much. It's one of the few things I don't like about my T-Bird. Completely understand why you wanted to keep the classic shape - I just love the shape of a T-Bird. To me, it just says rock 'n roll. You've got the best of both worlds - a kickass looking bass, and it's an Alembic. Again, I am truly jealous! Still looking for my checkbook ....
Alan
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Gosh ...this is gonna be something.
Love the Brazilian Rosewood.
Is'nt it one of the forbidden woods these days??
My acoustic guitar has back and sides in BRazilian Palisander ...is that Rosewood????
It looks very similar.
I have my acoustic -ib GREAT condition- for almost 30 years now.
Paul the bad one
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Paul - palisander = rosewood... As far as I know ;-)
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Brazilian rosewood is banned from being cut down 'cause its an endangereed species -- its main source was from the Brazilian rainforests, which must be conserved.
I love the look of this Alembird so far. That top wood and rosewood looks absolutely perfect!! Will work out like a real charm, I'd say.
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to harvest rainforest rosewood is illegal...to utilize naturally timbered rosewood is not.
Sean
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Brazilian Rosewood is one of the species protected by the CITES treaty, so I'd advise anyone not to internationally travel even with an instrument made before the treaty. I've heard horror stories of customs officials confiscating 100 year old Martins.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/14747.jpg)
Shame is, fine sanding dulls the figure out. This is a stunning and juicy piece, and when the finish hits, you'll know what I mean.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/14748.jpg)
Mike's getting all the parts ready for assembly. See how he carved the slope by the fingerboard? The Maple will confirm to this and be the same thickness across the top.
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Bob was spraying today when I was taking pictures, so I don't have anything fresher than Monday for you:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/14844.jpg)
Sometimes I am accused of being to understated, so just to make sure I am clear, the bass started getting sealer coats (before any tint) today. Next week I'll get you some nice ones!
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Too cool! It's amazing to see this long dreamed-off project turn into reality.
I love the headstock!
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Here's the bass with the sealer coats:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/15109.jpg)
The Quilted Maple is totally 3D. I know you will love this bunches.
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I have seen my future. Nikki Sixx will be very full of envy!
Danno
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Steve,
You must have gasped when you saw the 3D photo. I know that I did. Just awesome.
Jeff.
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Unbelievable! The quilt is absolutely killer. Once it gets the extra oomph from the amber part of the 3-tone burst finish it will be deadly...
Hey, Danno -- screw Nikki Sixx. This bass in a tribute to Thunderfingers - the late and great John Entwistle.
When I first realized how amazing JE was and fell in love with his playing he was using a Thunderbird, and when I first saw them live that's what he played. My all-time favorite rock bass album is Quadrophenia, and JE used a T-Bird there, too. Most Alembicians who are Entwistle fans think of JE with one of his Spyders, but for me JE and T-Birds are forever linked. So, my first dream bass was a T-Bird...and then in 1974 I fell in love with Alembics. When JE started playing Alembics in '75 it was perfect!
The Alembird is my tribute to John Entwistle, and it's also an homage to the Thunderbird, which is (still) my favorite non-Alembic bass. I wanted to capture some of the unique tonal qualities of the T-Bird, along with the body shape, which is why we used a mahagony neck and the T-Bird's odd pickup placement. The quilt top is really just a veneer (for the pimp factor) that won't affect the tone. It's a five string because I don't play 4 much anymore.
If you want to get an Alembird as a tribute to Nikki Sixx, that's cool. May I suggest killer quilt and a see-through black finish?
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Hey Steve,
How about an all Ebony and Purpleheart one?
Your Bass looks fantastic, by the way. I've always been a big fan of the Thunderbird... Gibson's only truly successful (and lasting) Bass.
Rami
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Rami:
I assume you don't mean an ebony body, because that sucker would weight 20 lbs. easy!
I wanted to use an all mahagony neck because that's what the T-Bird's neck is made from, and I was trying to create an Alembic that sounded a bit like a T-Bird. Mahagony-necked basses have a unique and distinctive sound, and an ebony and purpleheart neck would be change from the sound I was trying to get. That's why I didn't use a sustain block, and that's why I used the T-Bird's pickup placement.
If you just want to copy the look of the T-Bird,
you would have the freedom to play around with neck woods, pickup placement, etc. My concept was different, though.
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Hey Steve,
I was just teasing about the wood choices - I'm a little biased.
Your T-Bird's going to be awesome.
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Hey Steve,
That is amazing, A ture T bird for all times.
Doug
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Steve,
Can't wait to see the end result. Looks like it's going to be another one of a kind bass. Be sure to post pics upon the arrival of your baby.
Darrell
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This one gets my vote for a featured custom spot!
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would love an update on this project I'm a big T-Bird fan
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It's hard to beleive that Mica started this thread two years ago! To your credit Steve, you are a very patient man and that patience has obviously paid dividends for you in the form of an awesome bass collection. Frankly, I think that many of your fellow club members, including myself, are more anxious than you are to see more pictures of progress on this project. Perhaps Mica will take a bit of her very valuable time and give us a few updated photos.
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I'm also one of the foaming at the mouth for a new picture silent masses. I think I check this thread more than my own ftc thread lol.
- Jim
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Well, Alembic and fast don't belong in the same sentence, unless one is referring to the incredible playability of their necks.
If I was in a big hurry for a new bass I would just buy some mass-produced thing made by a company with a big advertising budget that looked nice, sounded bad and played worse. (Insert name of famous high production bass maker here: ________). Alembic builds wonderful stuff precisely because they are a small family-owned business that is obessively focused on the quality of what they make. Remember what happened when Mike Tobias sold his company to Gibson? Sure, their delivery times improved and they got a spiffy voice mail system that was specifically designed to end all human contact, but the basses sucked.
It's true that Susan and Mica tend to be wildly optomistic when they guess about delivery time at the beginning of an order, but that's a function of the fact that Alembic's small size means that they have no reserve capacity. If someone gets sick or has to deal with a crisis, or if Ron decides to spend a couple of weeks chasing his latest brilliant idea stuff gets delayed. I guess that there's some psychogeographic determinism at work, too - these guys do live in Northern California, after all.
The Alembird has always been kind of a back burner project. I told Susan and Mica that I wasn't in a hurry, and they know I have other Alembics to play. When I placed the order I told Susan I wanted a quilt maple top that was so amazing it would be one of the best she had ever seen - so she spend 6 months or so looking for one and as you can see she damn sure found it!
Then, after the bass was mostly through the finishing process Susan decided it wasn't what I wanted, so she decided to strip it down and start all over. Bottom line: in this project (and with all their stuff) Alembic chose getting it right over getting it done. Thank God for that!
Maybe their web site ought to say Alembic: We Will Sell No Instrument Before Its Time.
(Message edited by s_wood on March 09, 2005)
(Message edited by s_wood on March 11, 2005)
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This is an oldie, but I found it while organizing the last few month's photos:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/17115.jpg)
James is just starting to fret the Alembird. I think this may be the first view of the old Rosewood fingerboard.
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Wow..this one is truely one of a kind. I too have been following this build. The peghead looks great with that body shape.
I seemed to have missed what electronics package will be in her. (or maybe it's just that I'm not fully awake)
It is sort of a cross between the T-Bird and Johns Fenderbirds isn't it.
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Gare:
Actually, the body was copied exactly using my '64 Thunderbird as a template. There are pictures of the Thunderbird at the beginning of this thread in the archives. The peghead was based on Alembic's Elan peghead, turned upside down. We wanted to use a smaller peghead and lightweight tuners to reduce the weight at the end of the neck because Thunderbirds are notoriously neck-heavy and therefore don't balance well. The electronics will be 2 Fat Boy pickups with 2 filters, 2 3 position Q switches, one volume and one pan control. The pickups will be placed in the same positions that are used by the original T-Bird, and the neck and body is made completely out of mahagony (just like the original) except for the quilt maple veneer top.
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Steve,
That's a beatiful bass. I am also an admirer of THE VOODOO BASS...(I think it's yours.) The neck looks alittle different to me. If you don't mind my asking, is the neck a copy of your '64 Thunderbird too? (I imagine it is not, since the Thunderbird is a 4 stringer??) Is it something different. I have been asking all sorts of people here on the club about neck widths. I hope I am not imposing. Thanks for any input.
Take care,
Kevin K
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Kevin:
The Voodoo bass is mine, but I bought it used so the neck dimension was not to my specs... I don't recall the exact measurements of that neck, but I do recall that it has much less taper between the nut and the 24th fret than is common today. The neck dimensions of the Alembird are the same as on my other 5 strings. When I ordered my first Alembic 5 I had my dealer (Chuck Levin's Washington Music) ship a Tobias 5 with a neck I loved to Alembic. They copied those dimensions perfectly - and then we made the neck thinner (the dimension between the surface of the fretboard and the back of the neck) as is my preference. I'm kind of picky about neck dimensions, too, but I've come to realize that for me the thickness of the neck matters at least as much (and maybe more) as the width.
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Thank you Steve.
That confirms my hunch that The Voodoo bass has less taper. That's one of the great things about Alembic. You can send them a bass and they'll match the specs. Thanks again for your input.
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Thanks Steve..that is going to be a very cool instrument when done. The whole combo should sound great.
'Thunderbirds are notoriously neck-heavy and therefore don't balance well.' I remember trying one out in a shop, thought I was going to have to buy that baby when the neck got suicidal and headed for the floor.
Best of luck with the 'bird'
G
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Here's some updates for the color:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/18083.jpg)
Upper "horn" - Bob wanted to preserve the quilted figure as much as possible, and elected to not quite go opaque on the edge.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/18084.jpg)
From even a small distance, the edge starts to look darker.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/18085.jpg)
The whole thing, so you can see the overall color and the how much smaller the reverse Elan peghead is. Let us know if you like it. Top coats are waiting on your word.
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Steve:
I was up at Alembic last week and saw your Alembird. The pictures don't convey how truly and absolutely gorgeous it is (and this coming from a guy who generally dislikes sunburst finishes). Your going to get a lot of compliments on this one.
Bill, tgo