96W10138

[griffin738]

Hello all, I picked up my first Alembic bass yesterday and I'm submitting my first Alembic post today (who knows what tomorrow will bring .
 
Any history on my new-to-me 5 string fretless?
 
Also, I want to replace the strings but the scale seems closer to 35 according to my measuring tape, and yet most of the Epic specs I see seem to specify 34 -- since I'll need to order strings online, it would be great to know that typical long scale strings will do the trick.
 
Cheers,
Paul

[adriaan]

Hi Paul, welcome to the Club and congrats on your first Alembic!
 
To determine the scale length, measure the distance from the top nut to the 12th fret, and double that. On a 34, most long scale strings will fit. The separate tail piece and the 2+2 peghead arrangement add up to a string path that is slightly longer than average. I once had a problem with some D'Addarrio roundwounds where the A string barely reached the tuner, but that was from a line that they no longer offer. I like DRs, and they have plenty of length. And one might assume that Alembic's own strings will fit too.
 
When in doubt, lay out each of the strings on the instrument from tail piece to beyond the tuner. to make sure they're long enough, before installing any of them.

[griffin738]

Thanks to the string referral.  I just replaced the nasty old strings that came with the bass with a fresh happy set of DRs.  Between that and some other adjustments I made following the great guidance that others have posted to this forum, the bass is working out great!  I keep watching for lightning because there's a lot of thunder. . .