Author Topic: Epic Information Request (Read 496 times)

bsee · « **Reply #15 on:** December 15, 2004, 07:59:40 PM »

Oddly enough, Signature electronics are standard in Signature basses. Commonly, that's the Mark King and Stanley Clarke lines, though there's a European EVH model that is rare domestically. The electronics are the same in both the standard and deluxe versions of these basses.

Otherwise, you can probably have them as a factory option in just about anything except the small-bodied Essence.

mica · « **Reply #16 on:** December 15, 2004, 08:44:46 PM »

Here's what's in the file for your bass:

top: Koa
pinstripe: Maple
body: Mahogany
neck: Maple
fingerboard: Ebony
original electronics: Epic
pickups: MXY56
sold to: Guitar Center
birthday: October 28, 1993

There are no notes about us modifying the electronics in this bass. I also notice the switch by the output jack is not our standard color. Maybe you can take the backplate off and post a picture of what's inside so we can try and figure out what the added switches do.

gaby · « **Reply #17 on:** December 16, 2004, 02:05:43 PM »

Hi Mica, Thank you for the information; I bought this bass on eBay, without ever having played an Alembic before, only because what I've heard about the products you're company is making (their quality, that is), and also noticing the extra toggles next to what looked like the usual knobs. To cut a long story short, since I started playing this guitar I'm each time surprised again by its tonal qualities and variations - it's a great bass. Here are the photos of the electronics behind the backplate, maybe you can shed some light on this mystery. Thank you and Happy Holidays!!

adriaan · « **Reply #18 on:** December 17, 2004, 04:56:42 AM »

The serial # in the cavity plus the 1993 date means you have one of the very earliest Epics - congrats!

Just wondering if this is an actual Signature package, and if it would fit into my Epic as well? Looks as if the cavity is larger than normal.

gaby · « **Reply #19 on:** December 17, 2004, 05:11:20 AM »

Thanks, Adriaan.
I also wonder how many (Epic)predecessors this Epic had, if any...?
I'm still waiting for Mica's evaluation of the electronics package, as they seem to have no record of Alembic doing any work on this bass.
So I really have no idea what it is, except what my ears tell me: play that tune again, Sam!
Cheers

gaby · « **Reply #20 on:** December 17, 2004, 06:51:55 AM »

Adriaan, I understand you have defretted your Epic some time ago; can you put in words the difference that made to the bass sound?
Coming from violin I really enjoy playing fretless, but I'm not sure if I should transform this particular guitar into fretless (afraid not to lose its current qualities...).

adriaan · « **Reply #21 on:** December 17, 2004, 08:21:32 AM »

Gaby,

Didn't do the defretting myself, to be honest - but indeed like yours it's a koa Epic. I think Mica once mentioned that koa is a favourite at Alembic for fretless basses ...

To my ears, the bass still has the same tone of voice as before, just that the articulation has changed - a lot.

TI Jazz Flats are giving me a grand, blooming low end response on the E string, which in retrospect didn't exist when the frets were still on it. Pluck it the right way and it will give you a nice upright-like tone. As with all Alembics, the way you hit the strings can produce very different sounds - and it allows you to dig in deep. Especially playing over the top frets, you can really make it sing.

Obviously you lose some of the sustain, but that's a natural trade-off. You will need to make changes to the nut to make the strings sit lower - I still have to take a file to the underside, as the nut has been floating without the separate base plate underneath ........ uh, if you find this confusing then take a closer look at the nut, as it is one of those features unique to Alembic.

Fret not, enjoy!

gaby · « **Reply #22 on:** December 17, 2004, 10:21:12 AM »

Thank you for the insight; I use also TI Jazz Flats with my custom fretless (until today maker unknown - see pics), and they're great strings for fretless.... I think I'll wait with the defretting for a while...maybe until the next Alembic?

adriaan · « **Reply #23 on:** December 17, 2004, 12:40:44 PM »

Very nice for an anonymous bass (headstock inspired by Kenneth Lawrence?). Intriguing bridge, by the way - does it have piezos?

I just opened the control plate on my Epic, and the outline of the cavity is the same as on yours (no camera at hand right now, sorry). Well, let's see if someone can confirm whether yours has Signature electronics.

gaby · « **Reply #24 on:** December 17, 2004, 03:14:47 PM »

The piezos are RMC , with midi 13 pin connector, which makes for interesting experiments when connected to a Yamaha G50 (pitch to midi device), and from there to any available midi synth.
I'm still waiting for Mica, or anybody else with some electronics experience, to clarify the issue, although from my experiments it seems to be signature.

bsee · « **Reply #25 on:** December 17, 2004, 03:59:35 PM »

That's what mine looks like - same part numbers for the filters anyway. I can't see your pan control, but if you think you have a pan, it's hard to mistake it for something else. It's got to be signature electronics.