Author Topic: GAS a Cometh (Read 300 times)

mike1762 · « **Reply #15 on:** December 26, 2009, 03:56:43 AM »

I struggled with the Series concept as well. The first thing you need to realize is that the Alembic designations (Series, Signature, Spoiler, etc) really refer to the electronics package rather than the body shape. However, a Series body will be thicker and chambered because of all the electronics stuff that has to be crammed in there. All Alembic PUPs are low impedance (as opposed to most PUPs which are high impedance) and single coil, but the non-Series PUP is a stacked hum-canceling PUP (basically a stacked Humbucker without a magnet in the bottom coil). Series pickups are true single coils with a hum-canceling dummy coil (that PUP in the middle that doesn't work) shared by both pickups. The electronics in a Series instruments are NOT a plug and play operation. I don't understand the details, but they have to be tuned. On the other hand, you CAN order a non-Series electronics package and install it yourself. While the layout of the Signature and Series I package may look similar, they are quite different under the hood.

keith_h · « **Reply #16 on:** December 26, 2009, 05:35:08 AM »

Ivan,
There are several differences between standard option Series and non-Series basses. Note most any of these can be customized as you wish on a custom order.

As was mentioned the Series instruments are thicker to accommodate the electronics. They also have more laminates that make for a more interesting contrast of woods (IMO). Except for the Deluxe model non-Series do not come standard with a back laminate.

There is a big difference in the electronics. In Series instruments the pickups are single coil. In the non-Series they are hum canceling. The Q-switches on a Series 1 are three position as opposed two position on non-Series. Internally the preamp is more sophisticated in the Series instruments. The default control setup for Signature is Volume/Pan/Filter/Filter where Series are Volume/Volume/Filter/Filter. The Series are also capable of stereo operation where the Signature are not. There is a variation of Signature electronics called Anniversary that does have Volume/Volume/Filter/Filter and stereo mode though. Variable Q is available on Series while I don't believe it is an option on Signature (or the cost is so much as to not be worthwhile).

Keep in mind all of these can be changed as you are not buying an off the shelf instrument when you order and are free to customize as you wish and can afford. One item that I've seen more folks do is order a 3 position Q-switch for the non-Series electronics. Another thing some folks have done is change the Q-switch boost down to 6db as opposed to the standard 8db (or is it 9 db). The sky is the limit as long as Susan allows it. :-)

One word of advice is if you decide to go custom nail down the specifications before your order. Making changes midstream can delay the build process considerably. I found the folks at Alembic gave me plenty of advice and phone time while planning my Series 1 such that I didn't need to make changes or have any loose ends when the build started. In my case all that had to be done was pick and approve the inlays and provide a custom location for the LED on/off switch.

Keith

slammin · « **Reply #17 on:** December 28, 2009, 07:17:06 AM »

Wow, great info! This helps alot and means I will definitely do some homework when making my next purchase. Thanks all!

gtrguy · « **Reply #18 on:** December 29, 2009, 01:53:57 PM »

If you want to go nuts on tone for a while, get an SF-2 first. That will keep you busy for a lot less cash. Whatever you do, keep the Persuader as a backup.

Bear in mind that playing out with a $3000 (or more) used Series (Gawd help you if it's new) might make you nervous as you look at it sitting on a stand in a bar. For some here it does not scare them. Also, there can be some resentment from other musicians (working ones) who may not be able to afford a Series or even any Alembic. I have got weird responses from even playing my Epic live.

The external power supply and big cord can be a problem. On mine, the neck seems to stick straight out when I wear them and it's a reach to get to the low end, plus they are heavy. However, I have long hands. You might consider a short scale if you don't have long arms.

However, they are heirlooms of tone and I love them!!!

Dave

otis · « **Reply #19 on:** December 29, 2009, 07:38:30 PM »

Ivan,

I can second what Dave just said- the SF-2 is around $500, used, and around $950 new. I had one, that I just purchased over the summer, and I loved it- it opened up a whole new world of tone for me, with both of my former non-Series Alembics.

Having said that, though, I would still save every penny and just go for the Series II. There are many far more experienced members, here, and some of them have chimed in with far more accurate information than myself... but if you're looking for the ultimate Alembic- the Series II won't disappoint.

My straight from the gut, instinctual reaction to my Series II is that I now have my dream bass- it delivers exactly what Alembic promises- the ultimate in tone.

Definitely keep the Persuader- you'll want a back-up, like Dave said. And from time to time, you'll enjoy the ease of the plug & play you have with the Persuader.

You can still use the mono (1/4) jack on a Series I or II, but it will be just that- Mono- so while there isn't truly a plug & play with a Series, there sort of is- only you're getting one pickup, instead of both... which is fine if you're just practicing by yourself, or noodling.

Get yourself a used Series I or II before trying out the Custom Order route- unless you're in a position to spend more $ and wait the necessary time for Alembic to create a work of art for you.

Again, if you're going to go for a Series, just go for the Series II- the price difference isn't that huge, and it's worth every penny you pay, and then some. You'll never want to touch another bass after you pick up a Series II.

I know of one killer Series II 4 that tempted even me, a Six String Slinger- Brian from the Low End bought it and posted it on the Low End site on October 20th. Just an FYI- the individual selling it was offering it for quite a low price, as S2s go, and I don't know what Brian acquired the bass for, but I'm quite sure that if he still has it, he's not going to let it go for the same price.

Check out this website and do a search for Alembic, and you should find the link- it's dated October 20th, 2009, and it's a Series II Custom in Walnut with Front Red Leds and an Omega cut. It has a longer upper horn, and really neat flamed Walnut. Great looking bass!

Here's the link:

http://www.thelowend.net/thelowend/used-basses.html

Good Luck!

email me when/if you check that bass out, and let me know if it's still available and what Brian is asking. Just curious!

Peace;)

Frank

otisduo@yahoo.com

otis · « **Reply #20 on:** December 29, 2009, 07:48:29 PM »

Ivan,

It looks like Brian already sold the S2- it's in the Sold Gallery of Alembics. But it still can't hurt to send him an email and inquire about the bass. He gets Series I and II's in pretty frequently. Here's another site you can check out that someone from the Club recently posted- it's called site-mash- it basically searches all of the USA & Canada for Alembics. I know I saw some Series I's and Series II's- not sure if any of them are still up for sale, but there's always something!

Here it is:

http://www2.jaxed.com/cgi-bin/mash.cgi?cat=mus&itm=alembic&loc=XNE&fil=&ys=&ye=&ps=&pe=&pgs=100&submit=++++go++++

Good Luck!

Peace;)

Frank

slammin · « **Reply #21 on:** December 31, 2009, 10:57:38 AM »

Dave - Frank, All,

Awesome info! Combining everything I've read in this thread, I really do think my first stop will be an SF2. From a playability perspective, the only variable is whether I'd like a short scale even more than this medium but I certainly like the medium more than my other basses (34 and 35) as far as feel, so there is still some GAS left but if I get the SF2, that leaves the door open to other possibilities - SC, Brown Bass, etc.

Then again, I would have jumped on that Series II at thelowend had I been in the market at the time, even knowing what I know now!

Thanks again!

glocke · « **Reply #22 on:** January 11, 2010, 04:15:00 AM »

I own a maple topped SI, a coco-bolo S2, and SCSD. They all sound great. The series instruments have more options in terms of adjusting your tone, but no matter what bass I play I pretty much dial in the same tone each time I play.

The woods really do make a tremendous difference. Between the maple SI and coco-bolo SII there is a much larger difference in sound than I thought there would be. The maple toppled bass is really quite crisp and brighter sounding, while the coco-bolo topped SII is much darker and heavier sounding.

To be honest, the SCSD coupled with an SF2 really fits my needs quite nicely, and if I ever was in a position where I needed to sell my basses that would probably be the last to go....

As far as playing out with any Alembic, leaving it on a stand makes me nervous when playing in a bar, so my basses usually go back in their cases between sets. Also, as an earlier poster mentioned, be prepared to get lots of comments from other people when out with an Alembic. While I've had some positive comments made when out playing with one of my expensive basses, many people have made what I will only describe as weird comments.