Triple omega 8-string

[briant]

I hate this forum. :-) :-)  All the wonderful pictures and cool basses have me lusting after another Alembic and I don't even have #2 in my possession yet!  I really need to find and play an 8-string Alembic to push myself over the edge with this.  I need to experience the feel and tone of the instrument myself.
 
However this is what I?m thinking about:
 
8-string (octaves ? not 8 individual)
35? scale
Knobby headstock
Triple Omega body
2 purpleheart, 1 ebony neck stripes w/maple
Ebony fretboard ? JPJ symbol as the only inlay at the 12th fret like the ?Riff King? COTM
Red side LEDs
Buckeye Burl bookmatched to center top (as close to this general coloring as possible: http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/40154.html?1202737705 )
Mahogany core
Buckeye Burl back
Continuous wood backplates & truss rod cover
Silver logo w/shell inlay
Chrome hardware
Bird tailpiece
Signature Electronics + master bass and treble control
 
I believe it is time to start saving all my gig money and anything else I can put aside.

[David Houck]

Sounds really nice!!

[jacko]

You've been reading my mind Brian ;-) The only differences would be making it a 10 string 34 inch scale, wood pickup covers, nickel plated hardware and lose the extra controls. Maybe go for 3 ebony laminates and flame maple core.
 
I haven't found the signature electronics package lacking in any way so the master bass and treble would be a waste for me. Also, using a wood as incredible as the blue buckeye's we've been seeing lately cries out for an all wood front, plus THG knobs to match.
All I need to do now is find around ?12,000 (roughly $24,000) !!!!!!
 
Graeme

[basstard]

One of my dream Alembics is also an octave-tuned 8-string with Triple Omega body. It goes like that:
 
8-string tuned BEAD
Triple Omega body
Knobby headstock
Maple neck (I don't think I'll ever afford that optional ebony - I'm an underpaid Pole, lol)
Ebony fingerboard without inlays
Mahogany core
Flame Maple top
Almost Black (see-through) finish
AXY p-ups
Essence elecs + Q-switch (to keep it simple)
Chrome hardware, backplates and truss rod cover
 
It would be my Gothic bass!
 
If I ever afford it, that is...

[rob_the_fiend]

basstard, if you are after a gothic look:
 
A triple omega version of Val's Bird of Pray might be just the look you want.
 
http://www.alembic.com/info/fc_bop.html
 
but how to do it...

[keurosix]

Brian,
I once owned the John Judge double neck: 8 string and 4 string fretless. (Now owned by Christian in Germany.) It's a 34 scale Series 1 1/2. Mostly a Series 2 body with custom electronics and Series 1 Q switches. the necks are maple with 3 purple heart lams. The 8 string is real clean and very powerful sounding. It has some nice custom electronic features like a series parallel PU switch and a stereo split treble / bass output which made the bass come alive! Something to consider? I wonder if you will need a 35 scale with an ebony lam. Unless all your other basses are 35 scale probably not. The low E string on a 34 scale is pretty strong, and chords are a lot easier on the shorter scale too. Besides, the high octave strings may get real taught and stiff at a 35 scale making it harder to play. I remember fretting the 8 was even more unforgiving of sloppy technique being so clean. If you are going standard tuning even a shorter scale might work best, say a 32 medium scale? Anyone with octave bass playing experience who could help with their views?
Good luck in your dream bass design!
Kris

[briant]

I like 35 scale basses quite a bit.  The high tension and really tight string response is just great.  I'd play this thing with a pick - always.  I might consider doing a 34 scale but nothing shorter.  The short scale 12-string basses that I've played in the past feel way too mushy under my fingers and the response time of the strings is a little slow for some of the faster lines that I want to play.
 
I should really start saving for this bad boy... it would be so wonderful.