Author Topic: Retrofitting LEDs (Read 206 times)

karl · « **on:** September 13, 2004, 07:31:34 AM »

Hi guys,

I just wondered if anyone could give me some advice or relate any experiences of having their Alembic retrofitted with LEDs.

I'm considering having my MK standard retrofitted by SIMs - I recently bought a Status KingBass (small, headles thing) which I ordered with red LEDs fitted - I use this in the more, uh, 'intimate' settings where I would otherwise risk bashing my keyboard player round the back of the head with a headed bass. And I've found that I really miss the LEDs when I switch back to using my Alembic live on the bigger stages. I believe Alembic will actually retrofit LEDs themselves and I guess this would definitely be the recommended route to getting this done, but I'm in the UK and the thought of shipping my beloved bass out to the US doesn't appeal.

I've heard good things about SIMs (http://www.simscustom.com) and their retrofitting service - but have any of you guys had any experience of them, good or bad? Obviously, I'm gonna need some serious reassurance before I let just anyone drill holes in my Alembic . . .

And while I'm at it, has anyone ever noticed any change in the quality of the sound of their bass after having LEDs retrofitted? I'd rather preserve the purity of the Alembic sound than risk degrading it even an iota as a result of having LEDs fitted . . .

Any advice much appreciated!

Karl

nick_bassman · « **Reply #1 on:** September 13, 2004, 07:39:49 AM »

Hi Karl

I have had Martin LED-ise a couple of my basses.
His work is faultless and of the highest class. I'm sure he will talk through your requirements and put your mind at ease.

I didn't notice a sound quality change with my basses (neither an Alembic).

Of course OMMV.

Cheers

Nick

haddimudd · « **Reply #2 on:** September 14, 2004, 01:15:45 AM »

When I once asked about having Alembic retrofit/upgrade my regular LEDs to Laser LEDs I guess the answer was that this would require a complete fingerboard replacement which in my particular case would have involved to redo all the inlay work as well.

Martin Sims on the other hand advertises a very unique and unabusive technique of installing his LEDs, no harm to the fingerboard. I am sure for retrofits you can't go wrong with SIMs, although I haven't tried it myself yet.

poor_nigel · « **Reply #3 on:** September 14, 2004, 01:47:09 AM »

I was going to have this done to one of my basses. I was very excited and the price was low, in my estimation. However when the talk turned to installing a battery compartment, I backed out. Ask Martin about this, before you go farther. If your control compartment will not hold the batteries necessary to run the LEDs, then they will have to make one. Alembic provides an 'extra' battery compartment on non-series instruments that come with LEDs. So it would not be something unusual, and I am sure Martin and company do an excellent job on installing the extra compartment. It just comes down to a personal choice of whether you want the body modified or not, by someone other than the original company (Alembic).

wideload · « **Reply #4 on:** September 14, 2004, 09:44:53 AM »

When I contacted Sims regarding LEDs I specifically asked if my Rogue would need an additional compartment. They said they didn't think so, but if it did, there was no additional charge. I'm guessing if I let them work on my fingerboard, routing a cavity in the body wing would be the lesser concern. Shipping to the UK is a bit of a concern, but this is something they do all the time. I'm just waiting for warmer weather, so it won't be so chilly when I have to sleep in the doghouse!

Larry