Fade out ........

[David Houck]

Those of you who have an Alembic with two volume controls and no master volume, how do you accomplish a smooth fade out at the end of a song?

[bsee]

I have never done that with a volume control, but rather by controlling dynamics with my fingers.  I suppose that if I felt the need to do it mechanically, I would use a volume pedal anyway.  My fingers are too busy to be screwing around with controls continuously at any point, let alone at a key point in a tune like a fade out.
 
-Bob

[David Houck]

Bob; fade out was misleading.  I meant the situation where you hit a note and hold it and roll the volume back to zero, hopefully at the same rate as the guitar player.

[bsee]

Ahh - okay.  I can't remember doing that...
 
If I did, it would be either with a volume pedal, if I had one hooked up, or by using the side of my hand to move both volume controls simultaneously.  They aren't that far apart.

[johnnybassboy]

I much prefer a master volume/pickup fader setup. It is so much quicker to use, and more repeatable. Dual volume controls are strickly for traditionalists.

[poor_nigel]

Hey Dave.  I would walk over to my preamp and turn it down there, or as Bob mentioned, use a volume pedal.  Next to last would be to put your index finger on the 'backside' of one volume knob and your little finger on the 'backside' of the other and try to smoothly slide your fingers downward.  The final thought I would have on this would be to buy a Fender and the note should fade much quicker, naturally.
 
Out of curiosity, do Fenders still come with that black muting foam installed in front of the bridge?  Probably not, but that is how long it has been since I checked out any Fenders.  Don't get me wrong, I would just love to have a mint 62 Jazz Bass.  I would sell it and buy an S II custom.

[David Houck]

I practiced with it a while and decided that turning them down one at a time seemed to work better for me.  With the S1 layout, you can't turn both of them with the side of your hand; but you can turn both of them using two fingers simultaneously.  And I suppose with practice, that could be done smoothly.  This is one instance where the volume/pan layout on my other basses is an advantage.

[bsee]

You could always send the bass back home to get a master volume installed...

[David Houck]

Bob; that would be a consideration except for the fact that the current wait time for bench work is forever and a day.

[bsee]

So, place your order and get in line.  I am sure that they would let you send your bass in when your turn is come up.  Okay, it won't solve your problem for a gig this week or next, but how long do you plan to own this bass?  Is it the one?  If so, then I would make the last tweak or two to perfect it now rather than ten years from now.
 
It is cheaper in the long run to get the best right up front than to keep trading in things that aren't exactly what you want for the next step closer.  Plus, you get the use of the best item for longer.  Life is too short to compromise when you don't have to!
 
Just my opinion, of course...

[David Houck]

It certainly sounds wonderful; but I'm still getting acclimated to it, especially as regards the balance.

[poor_nigel]

Hey Dave, where are the pictures of your new bass listed?

[David Houck]

Nigel; I haven't posted pics of any of my basses yet.  I figured that when my Essence comes back from Santa Rosa, I would post pics of all of them at once.  After all, the Essence was my first Alembic, and it should have the honor of being posted first.

[son_of_magni]

Have you tried just lightly muting the strings with your right hand right at the bridge?

[David Houck]

Thanks Karl!  That's work great!