Author Topic: Balance K (Read 256 times)

mike1762 · « **on:** May 11, 2011, 03:16:52 PM »

Here is a nice one. I offered $4,000, but the seller declined. I've always liked the Balance K body style and figure I could handle the long scale with the extended upper horn. 4K is about 1/2 the cost of a new build, so that's about as high as I'm willing to go... really nice bass though. Question: what is meant by Superb Walnut???

hifiguy · « **Reply #1 on:** May 11, 2011, 03:25:45 PM »

SW is usually the walnut with the wildest grains -I've seen almost tiger-stripey contrasts and there's usually heavy flaming as well. Basically it's the best looking walnut Alembic can find.

otis · « **Reply #2 on:** May 11, 2011, 04:19:52 PM »

For $4k you can grab a nice series. There's one on eBay right now with an upgraded 7 piece neck (standard on a S2):

http://cgi.ebay.com/1980-Alembic-Long-scale-bass-/230611491370?pt=Guitar&hash=item35b1841a2a

I can't believe no one in the AC has jumped on this one- it looks like a beauty.

Frank

mike1762 · « **Reply #3 on:** May 11, 2011, 04:54:41 PM »

I sold my Series I Standard Point because of the ergonomics, so I won't be going back there again. I loved the tone of the Series I, but I'm not sure that there is enough difference between what I'm getting out of my SC (Signature) and BB (Anniversary) to justify the hassle of an external power supply and a few other idiosyncrasies of a Series instrument. But you're right, 4K is a lot of money to spend on a used non-Series instrument.

otis · « **Reply #4 on:** May 11, 2011, 06:08:08 PM »

Mike, I play live every weekend, and have several pedals, 2 amps, and yes, the power supply. It takes me about 5 minutes to set everything up. Of course, my pedal setup is on a powered board that lifts out of the case and is ultra easy to set up even with the stereo setup. I would never go back to a non-Series instrument, unless it was a backup in case something went wrong with my S2.

Here's a clip of my band in action:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QW9R7eOusQ

Frank

2400wattman · « **Reply #5 on:** May 11, 2011, 07:38:27 PM »

The top on that Balance K looks like a basic walnut top, not superb in any way. Mike, just in case you don't remember the sound of your old S1 but, nothing sounds like a series instrument not even the signature instruments. They come close but no cigar.
You could get another series, use the batteries for power supply but they will fail after roughly 10 hours of use and your amp will sound like it's about to blow! Not fun.
If it was the only bass I was gigging with the power supply would not be an issue, especially to get that sound!

mike1762 · « **Reply #6 on:** May 12, 2011, 04:41:50 AM »

I didn't mean to imply that I can get the SAME tone (not at all)... just that I'm equally pleased with the tone I AM getting. Would I like to have another Series bass??? Of course!!! But it will have to be something other than a Standard Point... I simply could not play that body style with ANY degree of comfort. I've never even held a Balance K, but it looks like it would be a comfortable bass to play. If I find a suitable Series instrument, I can fit a blue box on my pedal board. I'm always trolling the jaXed Mash site... so who knows???

2400wattman · « **Reply #7 on:** May 12, 2011, 07:07:50 AM »

Mike, I've strapped on a Balance K a couple of times and there is a huge difference. You'll be pleased I can tell you that.

How's about some Linderhoff? They've got a new wait staff and the wait time ( went on a Tuesday ) was less than half. The food is still the same quality.

mike1762 · « **Reply #8 on:** May 12, 2011, 07:52:17 AM »

We love that place (the food anyway)!!! The only reason we didn't go more often was the TERRIBLE service. If they have taken care of that issue, we'll definitely become a fixture. The next time you're in town (and I have a free evening) we'll treat you and yours to dinner... let me know!!!

hifiguy · « **Reply #9 on:** May 12, 2011, 07:52:52 AM »

Gotta agree with Adam. The feel/ergonomics of the Balance K are outstanding. I don't like big-bodied basses (I play a SC Sig Std) but I tried a Balance K very similar to the one listed once and it was a perfect fit, though of course YMMV.

And no way is that a superb walnut top. My bass has significantly more figuring and it's supposedly a standard Walnut top. But it has deeply contrasting cocoa-to-almost black tiger striping and a flamed walnut headstock.

billostech · « **Reply #10 on:** May 15, 2011, 03:40:48 AM »

Here's a picture of my Balance K. I was infornmed that it barely made the superb walnut grade. More than likely a great standard Walnut top.

mike1762 · « **Reply #11 on:** May 15, 2011, 04:35:36 AM »

Nice bass Bill!!! In fact, that's about as grainy (is that a word?) as I would want. Some of the more heavily figured Walnut tops are a bit much for my taste. My BB (of course) has a Walnut top, but since it just has an oil finish the figuring doesn't stand-out. I got a feeling there is a Balance K in my future somewhere down the line. If I did decide to go with Series electronics, it looks like the only way that will happen is a new build: plenty of Standard Points (and occasional Small Bodies) are on the market, but I can only recall a handful of Series Balance Ks (I don't think any of them were 4 string). I understand that the Balance K concept was a club member's idea???

I've finally dug myself out of my Real Estate investment hole and my 50th B'day is coming-up... Hmmmmm

billostech · « **Reply #12 on:** May 15, 2011, 05:19:28 AM »

Ahhh... 50 ... The Right of Passage ...
The Balance K would be a great reward.

I got a tatoo for my 50th: Harley Davidson logo enclosed in a Spider (biker name). The Balance K would be a lot less painful.

mike1762 · « **Reply #13 on:** May 15, 2011, 11:10:03 AM »

I found the thread of the first Balance K