Author Topic: Piezo Pickup Option on an Alembic? (Read 369 times)

waggaboy · « **on:** May 24, 2004, 04:03:16 PM »

Hi there :-)

Over the last couple of months I have been playing with a Ned Steinberger upright and it got me thinking about my next fretless...

The ability to mix the Piezo sound in with the regular pickups is pretty stunning - but the upright thing is not for me.

I notice Spector US Neck Thru and US Masters EP both have tidy piezo setups -- while Ibanez (AFE/EDA models) are using the Fishman units...

What options are/could be available on an Alembic (in my case an Orion/Essence/Rogue)... and what would they cost? I assume you already have some kind of Peizo setup in the classico?

Is there any way to retrofit a piezo and associated electronics to an existing bass?

Kind Regards,
Sean.

mica · « **Reply #1 on:** May 24, 2004, 04:21:20 PM »

Piezos are not available as an option from us, at least, I'm sure that the resources needed to have us do it would be hard to justify.

The Classico is 100% magnetic.

jazzyvee · « **Reply #2 on:** July 25, 2004, 05:56:39 AM »

Hey I was having a wild thought today whilst learning some new material. Well you know the sound gets warmer and more mellow and meaty when you play near to the neck of the bass.

What crossed my mind and it's probably a silly thought, is that if you could put a pickup in the neck just underneath the 12th fret where there is most movement of the strings.... would you get an even more mellow sound.......?

Further thinking i guess whilst the strings are open it may be ok but what would happened if you were playing higher up the neck or even past the 12th fret? Would you get no sound from the pickup or would you get the vibrations from the other side of where you are fretting?

Just a crazy thought for a Sunday Afternoon.

muller1007 · « **Reply #3 on:** July 26, 2004, 02:04:00 AM »

Sean,

If you're looking for Piezo combined with regular electronics, how about this Brian Bromberg Signature:

http://www.deanguitars.com/b2_4_5.htm

Duncan

waggaboy · « **Reply #4 on:** July 26, 2004, 03:45:59 PM »

Hi Duncan,

I was looking at those, as well as the Yamaha Piezo range (a nice 2nd hand one at BassNW), but can't get over my love of Alembics...

A talented Luthier in Sydney (ex electrical engineer) -- Jeff Mallia http://www.mallia.com.au/ -- who is the Alembic repairer here reckons he can retrofit a Piezo into the bridge block of an Alembic...

Now I just need to be patient and wait for a relatively cheap used Orion 5 fretless to come up so we can give it a try.

bigredbass · « **Reply #5 on:** July 26, 2004, 11:51:04 PM »

I'll repeat myself from a previous-piezo-post:

For the life of me, I can't understand why I'd want to hear my bass through the bridge saddles! With the accompanying bumps, thumps, etc, thru the body.

And then, if ALEMBIC did offer them, there would surely be a heated debate over the sound of brass saddles vs. steel saddles vs. . . .

J o e y

bsee · « **Reply #6 on:** July 27, 2004, 02:51:39 AM »

Since I have a Zon bass with a Piezo bridge, I think I am qualified to comment here. On a bass that has the tonal range of a Fender Jazz, they make sense to increase the tones available. The Alembic I have already can produce outstanding fundamental and shimmering highs. These are the things I get from the Piezo where the magnetics can't produce.

If you get an Alembic with some purpleheart or ebony in the neck and at least the Europa or Signature electronics package, then I think you won't get anything more out of a Piezo.