Alembic Guitars Club

Alembic products => Factory to Customer => Topic started by: mica on October 05, 2006, 06:34:06 PM

Title: Michael's Custom Series II in Walnut
Post by: mica on October 05, 2006, 06:34:06 PM
This is suggested position for the top laminate:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/32207.jpg)
 It's a little plainer than the back laminate, but the plain part will be eaten up by pickups and hardware.    Here is the back laminate position suggestion:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/32208.jpg)
 With the continuous wood backplates, it should look stellar!
Title: Re: Michael's Custom Series II in Walnut
Post by: georgie_boy on October 06, 2006, 05:45:16 AM
That is amazing!!!
Title: Re: Michael's Custom Series II in Walnut
Post by: mikekyz on October 11, 2006, 04:16:19 PM
I really love this combination
Title: Re: Michael's Custom Series II in Walnut
Post by: wisitsiam on November 17, 2006, 05:09:04 AM
wow WOW !!!
Title: Re: Michael's Custom Series II in Walnut
Post by: mica on December 14, 2006, 03:00:32 PM
Some stuff from assembly:  
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/34386.jpg)
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/34387.jpg)
Title: Re: Michael's Custom Series II in Walnut
Post by: mica on December 14, 2006, 04:13:23 PM
Here's the top laminate cut out and waiting for the glue up:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/34407.jpg)
Title: Re: Michael's Custom Series II in Walnut
Post by: mikekyz on December 15, 2006, 05:55:16 AM
Hi Mica
Many thanks for the update.  Only one problem is the picture load from the email but not on the web site  Also just to be safe can you double check that my laminate combination is as per Factory to Customer.  
Have a great day and thanks again for all your help.
Peace  
Mikie
Title: Re: Michael's Custom Series II in Walnut
Post by: mica on December 15, 2006, 01:57:56 PM
I checked the work order for you, and it is marked with:
 
Maple pinstripe
Purpleheart accent laminate
Maple pinstripe
 
for each side of the accent laminate pack. Look for pictures of the glue-up next week.  
 
I can see the photos on the club at work and home. Maybe clear the cache in your browser and reload the page. If anyone else is having trouble seeing the photos, let me know.
Title: Re: Michael's Custom Series II in Walnut
Post by: mikekyz on December 15, 2006, 02:46:56 PM
No problem all is working and the work order is correct.  I will look for the pictures next week.  Thanks again.
M
Title: Re: Michael's Custom Series II in Walnut
Post by: mica on December 21, 2006, 03:16:12 PM
This body is gluing up too:
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/34563.jpg)
Title: Re: Michael's Custom Series II in Walnut
Post by: mikekyz on December 21, 2006, 11:54:13 PM
Hi Mica, excellent news thanks for the update.
M
Title: Re: Michael's Custom Series II in Walnut
Post by: inthelows on December 22, 2006, 05:39:06 AM
Looks like a nice combo. Very sharp.
NLP
Title: Re: Michael's Custom Series II in Walnut
Post by: mica on December 26, 2006, 05:08:17 PM
Also in carving today:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/34661.jpg)
Title: Re: Michael's Custom Series II in Walnut
Post by: mikekyz on December 27, 2006, 12:56:51 AM
Hi Mica, she looks beautiful already...I cant wait to see her when she is completed.  By the way do you guys never sleep :-) or take holidays :-)  
Peace  
Mike
Title: Re: Michael's Custom Series II in Walnut
Post by: mikekyz on January 07, 2007, 01:50:39 AM
Hi Mica  
On the photo it looks like there are ghost markers at all fret line positions with a led next to the marker at the appropriate pionts.  Could you please confirm that the positioning is as agreed with the Ghost markers only showing on those fretlines where no LED is required, as agreed?  So it goes P1LED P2GHOST P3LED P4GHOST P5LED Etc
Peace
Mike
Title: Re: Michael's Custom Series II in Walnut
Post by: mica on January 18, 2007, 07:02:34 PM
Here's the two basses in spray:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/35465.jpg)
 
They look really great!
Title: Re: Michael's Custom Series II in Walnut
Post by: mikekyz on January 19, 2007, 01:11:21 AM
Hi Mica and the team
These look better than I could ever have imagined.  Yes its more than Christmas again.  I cant thank you enough.
Title: Re: Michael's Custom Series II in Walnut
Post by: the_8_string_king on January 19, 2007, 07:48:10 PM
Wow!  What a nice pair!
Title: Re: Michael's Custom Series II in Walnut
Post by: bassjigga on January 19, 2007, 08:07:02 PM
Great minds think alike Mike! My fretless custom is going to have the same idea for side position markers - except without LEDs. It will be side dots on the fret position at 1,3,5,7... 12 etc. with sidelines on the rest (i.e. 2, 4, 6...).
Title: Re: Michael's Custom Series II in Walnut
Post by: mikekyz on January 20, 2007, 02:43:41 AM
To 8SK and batssjigg, thanks for your comments guys.  I cant tell you how much I am looking forward to getting these basses.  I have had to sell alomost all of my other basses to pay for them but I am sure it will be more than worth it.  
Peace
Mike
Title: Re: Michael's Custom Series II in Walnut
Post by: olieoliver on January 20, 2007, 06:43:25 AM
Very nice Mike, very nice indeed.
 
That walnut is awesome.
 
Have you ever played a Series or Signature bass before?
Title: Re: Michael's Custom Series II in Walnut
Post by: mikekyz on January 20, 2007, 03:33:29 PM
Hi Oliver, have a look at COM Custom in Stages.  This is my first Alembic and was the moment that I decided to go shortscale in a big way.  My personal view is that Alembic are the very best of the best in custom bass builders.  Everytime I play my bass it makes me smile from ear to ear.
Peace
Mike
Title: Re: Michael's Custom Series II in Walnut
Post by: mica on February 20, 2007, 04:17:11 PM
Right now Scott's Quilted Coco Bolo bass is getting the calibration, but next in line are your basses. Here's the Walnut one awaiting the treatment:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/36527.jpg)
The tape holds the humcanceller in place until it passes all the tests.
Title: Led Positioning for Fretless
Post by: mikekyz on December 15, 2006, 01:01:40 PM
Hi Mica
In my order it say leds at the fretline starting from position 1 and either side of fretline 12.  This is exactly as should be.  Just wanted to ask that at the 24th the leds are either side.  I know again I am stating the obvious.
Peace
Mike
Title: Neck Dimensions
Post by: mikekyz on November 14, 2006, 02:48:11 PM
Hi Mica
 
Lets go with  
 
nut: 1.5  (38.1mm)
24th fret: 2.26 (57.4mm)
string spacing at bridge: .65 (16.5mm)
Title: Short Scale Strings
Post by: mikekyz on October 23, 2006, 09:30:42 AM
One of the main drivers for moving to short scale is a bass that is easy to play.  On all my longer scale basses I use nickel strings and the guage is usually .040 .055 .075 .095.  Does Alembic produce strings of this size for a Stanley Clarke bass?  Does anyone know of a company that makes short scale strings at this size in nickel or a near fit?
Will the standard nut on my Stanley Clarke need to be made tighter if I go with a string of this size?
I know there is a trade off on sound however I need to make it as easy as possible on my fretting hand.
Peace
Mike
Title: Short Scale Strings
Post by: mica on October 23, 2006, 10:19:33 AM
The short scale strings we offer come in .045 .065 .080 .105 gauges. If you're going to play with strings that are more than 5 thousandths undersized from the slots, it's ideal to have a properly sized nut and bridge made.  
 
We'll review what strings are available for your bass and let you know what we find. If you find something that suits you in the meantime, please let us know.
Title: Short Scale Strings
Post by: mikekyz on October 23, 2006, 10:33:57 AM
Hi Mica
Thanks for this feedback, yes please let me know what string options you can come up with. Your help is really appreciated.
Title: Short Scale Strings
Post by: bsee on October 24, 2006, 04:05:36 AM
Mike-
 
When I ordered my short scale bass, it was specified with 40-100 strings.  There was a late inlay addition that interrupted the build process and caused it to be taken apart and restrung.  By accident, it was restrung with the standard 45-105 short scale strings.  When I played the bass, I thought they actually were the narrower gauge strings.  These are, however, steel strings, not nickel.  It is extremely easy to play, though it was a little clicky for the first few playing sessions.  The strings have since broken in quite nicely.
 
Even if you're looking for nickel, you will find that a 45-105 set will be as easy to play on a short scale as a 40-100 set is on long.  You may have to raise the action or play with an extremely light touch to avoid much buzzing on lighter strings at short scale.
 
If you were to tune your 34 scale bass down by between 3/4 and one full step, that would approximate the tension you would get on those strings at short scale.  Just something you can try while you wait for the custom to help you decide for certain about string gauge.
 
-Bob
Title: Short Scale Strings
Post by: mikekyz on October 24, 2006, 12:12:49 PM
Mica, I have found these.  What do you think?  Anyone else using these?
 
Fender 5250XL Short Scale Bass Extra Light Strings nickel.  Gauges 40-60-75-95.
Title: Short Scale Strings
Post by: mikekyz on October 30, 2006, 06:48:36 AM
Hi Mica, I have decided to go with the smaller gauge strings for my fretless.  Please adjust the nut and bridge sizes as required to fit Fender 525XL Short Scale nickel 40-60-75-90.
 
Anyone else in the club using these on short scale fretted or fretless?  
 
Many thanks  
Mike
Title: Short Scale Strings
Post by: mikekyz on November 10, 2006, 05:50:04 AM
Hi Mica
I have a set of the Fenders that I will try on my Custom in Stages and let you know how I get on.  
 
all the best
Mike
Title: Short Scale Strings
Post by: mikekyz on November 13, 2006, 08:45:12 AM
Hi, my local guitar tech has put a set of Fenders on my SC Custom in Stages and they play really well. Just one thing to watch for is the string lenght requires some of the cotton wrap to be removed before fitting at the nut. Maybe worth testing a set but from my end I think they will do the job. Let me know what you think?
Title: Fretless - Fretlines v Side Neck Markers
Post by: mikekyz on October 12, 2006, 05:26:04 AM
Dear All,
In my order I have faint lines specifed on the neck to go where the hard frets go on a fretted instrument.  Thinking about it on a small scale instrument and about the look can you see if you could place the fretlne marker on the side of the neck but with no invasion of the front of the fretboard.  So when you look at the bass front on you have a plain clean ebony fretless board but when you look on the side of the neck there are clear but small fretlines for full reference of all frets to be seen.  I know I have my LEDs on the fretline and at those points I guess no need for any line.  I hope this makes sense.  Let me know what can be done.
Many thanks  
Mike
Title: Fretless - Fretlines v Side Neck Markers
Post by: adriaan on October 12, 2006, 05:36:07 AM
It's probably safer to send an e-mail directly to the people at Alembic. They may not check this thread before they start putting in the lines.
 
Good choice!
Title: Fretless - Fretlines v Side Neck Markers
Post by: mikekyz on October 12, 2006, 05:53:42 AM
Thanks Adrian
Title: Fretless - Fretlines v Side Neck Markers
Post by: bkbass on October 12, 2006, 07:08:12 AM
mikekyz, Alembic makes ghost fret side markers leaving the front clean,look at my featured custom of the month for February 2005 JELLY.
Title: Fretless - Fretlines v Side Neck Markers
Post by: mikekyz on October 12, 2006, 07:10:26 AM
Top man BK thanks for this.
Title: Fretless - Fretlines v Side Neck Markers
Post by: mikekyz on October 12, 2006, 04:32:35 PM
Decided to go with Ghost Markers rather than full fretline on the fretboard.  The dot and LED positioning remains the same.
Many thanks
M
Title: Fretless - Fretlines v Side Neck Markers
Post by: mica on October 23, 2006, 09:59:12 AM
We've added your change of sidelines to your work order.
Title: Fretless - Fretlines v Side Neck Markers
Post by: mikekyz on November 10, 2006, 10:43:22 AM
Hi All
As agred with Susan I will have ghost markers on fretlines that do not have a LED on.  This means when I look down at the side of the neck I will have LED at FL1, Ghost Marker FL2 and LED at FL3 etc etc.
cheers
M
Title: Rays Logo
Post by: mikekyz on October 11, 2006, 04:39:33 PM
Lets go with this, I will call 11th October.
Many thanks  
Mike
Title: Rays Logo
Post by: mikekyz on October 12, 2006, 04:26:13 PM
Ordered, just want to check that it will be set in gold and not silver?
Many thanks
Mike
Title: Rays Logo
Post by: mica on October 23, 2006, 10:09:25 AM
The inlaid logo choices are either  polished bronze (http://www3.alembic.com/img/inst/13326_logoL.jpg) or  sterling silver (http://www3.alembic.com/img/13246_logoL.jpg).  Pure solid gold is available, but it's rather expensive.  
 
The abalone rays can be added to any metal choice for the logo.
Title: Rays Logo
Post by: mikekyz on November 10, 2006, 05:52:38 AM
Yes, decided to go with polished bronze.
Peace
Mike
Title: Matching Trussrod Cover
Post by: mikekyz on October 20, 2006, 11:49:08 PM
Just found a Stanley with matching Trod covers:  
Randy's Custom Clarke Deluxe, is this how it will look on my SC SII?
Thanks  
Mike
Title: Matching Trussrod Cover
Post by: mica on October 23, 2006, 10:16:27 AM
Yes, that is the appearance of the continuous wood truss rod cover on a (custom) Signature model.
Title: Front & Back
Post by: mikekyz on October 11, 2006, 04:30:44 PM
Really great proposal.
Many thanks
Mike
Title: Front & Back
Post by: mica on October 23, 2006, 10:14:03 AM
Chip will be cutting along the lines noted in the build record for your custom bass.
Title: Accent Lams
Post by: mikekyz on October 11, 2006, 04:45:05 PM
the accent lams between the tops and core will be maple pinstripe/ purpleheart laminate/ maple pinstripe. it will make a nice contrast with the core and compliments the three purpleheart neck lams.
 
I really like this, thanks for the suggestion
Mike
Title: Accent Lams
Post by: mica on October 23, 2006, 10:12:47 AM
The accent laminates have been changed to:
 
Maple pinstripe
Purpleheart laminate
Maple pinstripe
 
and the work order was updated to reflect this change.