Flat Knobs

[toma_hawk01]

It's traditional to use standard Alembic knobs, but I had notice people are replacing them with wooden counterparts. Sure, I believe it makes esthetic
sense to see this as an upgrade for the bling effect, but as far as knobs go, its still offers no beneficial functions than the standard Alembic plastic knobs.
 
Here's where I am going with this...
 
I believe plastic knobs or wooden ones are outdated, and frankly they are in the way. So I been looking for knobs for my next fretless bass, and I'd come to the decisions; I want the controls of knobs, but I don't want them sticking out anymore. So, for the Alembic basses I have now with those traditional protruding plastic top-hats, I'll settle for what it is, and what I got.  
 
However, I seen non-protruding analogical knobs which sublimely matches the surfaces of the bass, and lays completely surface flat. You keep the controls, but your fingers will never be endangered in accidental knob collisions ever again.  
 
With just your finger tips, you could adjust your sound smoothly...              
 
Peace and Love,
 
Hal-
 
(Message edited by toma_hawk01 on October 16, 2010)

[gregduboc]

Hal, I believe that it will work well if you don't have to fiddle around with them in the middle of a performance.
What I mean is, for me that would not work, cause I occasionally have to mess with them during a song, and with the very busy bass lines I usually do, when I change a setting, it has to be ultra fast, precise and easily doable. It's in between notes, when I leave a string playing and quickly adjust a knob that I find necessary on the fly.
Of course, if you are playing a tune that has a single, specific bass tone during the whole song, the 'flat knob' will work fine, but for heavier lines that need adjusting on the go, I don't think it would be a very precise way to shape a sound....  
But then again, I might have not understood the concept well.
Do you have any pictures or specs to show? Because it will look really amazing... I always wanted a bass with everything stealth on it... No apparent pickups, knobs... And I guess this is the look you are after.
 
Greg
 
 
(Message edited by gregduboc on October 16, 2010)

[gregduboc]

I don't know if you saw these basses before, but they might be worth a look regarding inspiration for the clean look:  
 
This one has the stealth look I was refering to, and this one has knobs on the back plate.
 
Greg

[toma_hawk01]

I totally understand where you are coming from Greg...
 
When your music changes, and it's your turn to add a solo, or groove to the bridge -- yeah you might adjust something on the controls...
 
Using flat knobs, you don't need a combination of the traditional thumb and finger tactile requirements on a control (as used on traditional protruding knobs).  
 
With the flat knobs you make control changes with one finger rotational tactile control. A much faster; more dynamic; and more accurate control articulation while playing in real time.
 
I don't want to use my thumb on the controls, I want it on the strings  
 
Here's a sample...    
 
 
 
 
Peace and Love,
 
Hal-
 
(Message edited by toma_hawk01 on October 16, 2010)

[mario_farufyno]

Now that's interesting... (But on minus side they look too big IMO)

[toma_hawk01]

Hi Mario,
 
No problem on the size, they could be made smaller than the example shown.  
 
The knobs could be made even smaller than bottom  circumference of the Alembic top-hat's, and even smaller than that...
 
The magic, is edge between the non-moving body, and the moving knob only requires the tip of your finger.
 
The flat-knob system is also faster, and more tactically accurate than traditional knobs we use with our thumb, and multiple fingers.  
 
Although my Jester bass is in full swing, my next Bass called: The Tyrant will be my new bass for Thomas Lieber to make with Flat-Knobs.
 
Peace and Love,
 
Hal-
 
(Message edited by toma_hawk01 on October 17, 2010)

[crobbins]

Maybe a foot controller would solve the problem?
 
(Message edited by CRobbins on October 17, 2010)

[toma_hawk01]

Got those...
 
I have 16 channel foot switches from my duel Mesa Boogie Basis M-2000 amps.
 
 
Peace and Love,
 
Hal-

[tmoney61092]

http://www.alembic.com/info/fc_starburst.html
 
~Taylor

[toma_hawk01]

Although the Starburst bass is a brilliant achievement for Alembic to build, however for me --
David's Set and leave it philosophy would never be my mindset with an Alembic bass.  
 
Also, I believe with flat knobs, you'll still achieve an esthetically clean surface area for minimalist people like myself, and also have direct change controls without removing the back-plates.
 
Flat knobs are really cool, and give more bang for the bucks.
 
Peace and Love,
 
Hal-
 
 
(Message edited by toma_hawk01 on October 18, 2010)

[mario_farufyno]

Anthony Jackson made its newer axe with just one single PU and single volume control in a extreme minimalist concept of cleaning things up. All tone job he leaves to his rack mounted Preamp and the Bass just delivers the signal in a balanced cable.
 
He could make his next Bass with that idea...

[mario_farufyno]

I think it is a great idea to use touch instead of eyes, and this is a clever and elegant way to use this concept. But I'm not sure if too little buttons would be efficient enough as the larger ones.
 
In a clean look as Mr Jakson's achieved, one big flat knob would be perfect.