Author Topic: Removed Alembic Pickups for Fenders...??? (Read 154 times)

hendixclarke · « **on:** July 11, 2009, 10:06:24 AM »

Personally,

I don't know anyone who would remove a $1000.00-plus Alembic electronics; from a $1000.00-plus guitar; to replace with $100.00-+ Fender electronics.

I could never conceive of doing such a thing...

However, one thing about The Club I am never short learning and being surprised

What is the thinking these days...?

(Message edited by hendixclarke on July 11, 2009)

811952 · « **Reply #1 on:** July 11, 2009, 10:19:03 AM »

I believe the thinking is do whatever sounds best for the given application...

Or maybe Clapton has it all wrong?

elwoodblue · « **Reply #2 on:** July 11, 2009, 11:48:23 AM »

yup,
or if the PF6 card is in need of repair and the pickups are damaged...and you want to play the guitar amplified and can't afford to have it sent to Alembic to have her fixed.

jeez Hal...let it go

hendixclarke · « **Reply #3 on:** July 11, 2009, 01:21:29 PM »

I never mentioned a broken Alembic pickup...

I am talking about someone replacing a fully functional Alembic pickup, on a Alembic guitar -- replaced with a Fender pickup.

Do you know anyone who did this, and what merits this action?

...and lets try to scale down the personal attacks, just answer my question, if you can add some context... [If this is possible...]

I predict this thread will be very short...

(Message edited by hendixclarke on July 11, 2009)

oujeebass · « **Reply #4 on:** July 12, 2009, 08:34:09 AM »

Without the Alembic electronics, an Alembic is just a very nicely made bass. It is the electronics that make it all come together. I am sure Ron himself would agree with that. On top of that I once read that the idea was that the woods would have less to do with the tone than anything. Especially on the neck through. My Epic Lowly, is a mid range machine due to the wood making up more of the sound it makes. Discuss

hg30904 · « **Reply #5 on:** July 12, 2009, 09:32:29 AM »

A lot of time/work is invested in the body of most Alembics. Many of us think that they are special even when not plugged in. Personally, I derive a greater sense of pleasure/joy/ease playing the Alembic neck with the bass unplugged than I have with any other instrument plugged in. There are many different types of electronics and they can generally get put into most bodies. Therefore, I submit that the bodywork is just as essential a part of the experience, if not more.

tmoney61092 · « **Reply #6 on:** July 12, 2009, 10:38:12 AM »

as crazy as it sounds, the alembic sound isn't for everyone, so there may be someone out there that loves the body of an alembic, but not the electronics, and are also a die-hard fender man and so they put there favorite electronics in there favorite bodies, that's my theory

~Taylor Watterson

jazzyvee · « **Reply #7 on:** July 12, 2009, 10:43:41 AM »

I think the combination of woods and electronics maketh the sound. I have an Europa bass and an Elan with europa electronics.
Europa has mahogany body, maple and purple heart neck lams and bocate front. Elan has Maple body and neck and maple front.

These basses sound completely Alembic but radically different even though the electronics are the same. So I would contend that the wood used in these instrument, both neck and body account for the differences in tone and not the electronics.

Jazzy

sonicus · « **Reply #8 on:** July 12, 2009, 10:46:17 AM »

I would agree that my Alembic Bass's are far more satisfying un-plug then my non Alembics un-plugged. _ HOWEVER the Alembics
are even more satisfying PLUGGED IN then the non-Alembics plugged in . All in all the ALEMBIC PRODUCT gives me more satisfaction from a VISCERAL perspective and a SONIC perspective.I should add that unplugged my Alembic Bass's give me the maximum
Visceral satisfaction then ANY other Bass_____________
Bottom Line______________! Therefore ; It must be design and craftsmanship!

hendixclarke · « **Reply #9 on:** July 12, 2009, 11:56:29 AM »

Having strong family roots in riding motorcycles, sometimes when I ride, I like to OPEN IT UP full throttle...

On my Series I, I do the same thing...I go full throttle and I open the pipes... Every control is cranked active, all pickups volumes, and tones are maxed to the limit, and I get the same goose bumps of pure bass power like I never heard from any bass in my life.