Alembicized Guild M-85 II

[edwardofhuncote]

Based on what you report, I believe Keith is correct... it sounds like a resonance dupe. A little extra mass might correct it or at least move it 'out of the way'. Just to further eliminate geometry problems, take a very close look at the trueness of the fingerboard right there... look for any noticeable groove. Use a credit card and backlight with small flashlight, see if there's any unusual relief there. Believe me, it doesn't take much on a fretless.

On those saddles, that one does look like a replacement... actually, it looks like ebony against the obviously rosewood one next to it. I would think any competent luthier could make suitable replacements for those. Shoot, I'd be willing to try if you sent me a couple to go by. That said, if you have metal (brass?) replacements, I wouldn't hesitate to use them. A black or brown Sharpie pen will keep you in stealth mode. 

~Gregory (who freely confesses to be a loothier...)

[hieronymous]

Based on what you report, I believe Keith is correct... it sounds like a resonance dupe. A little extra mass might correct it or at least move it 'out of the way'. Just to further eliminate geometry problems, take a very close look at the trueness of the fingerboard right there... look for any noticeable groove. Use a credit card and backlight with small flashlight, see if there's any unusual relief there. Believe me, it doesn't take much on a fretless.

On those saddles, that one does look like a replacement... actually, it looks like ebony against the obviously rosewood one next to it. I would think any competent luthier could make suitable replacements for those. Shoot, I'd be willing to try if you sent me a couple to go by. That said, if you have metal (brass?) replacements, I wouldn't hesitate to use them. A black or brown Sharpie pen will keep you in stealth mode. 

~Gregory (who freely confesses to be a loothier...)

I haven't had a chance to take a good look at the fingerboard - there was more wear under the A string which doesn't seem to be having much of an effect.

I've been playing it a fair amount with the new strings - it's addictive! Still having some tuning issues but it's partly because I'm playing along with old recordings which may not be at A=440 so I have to try and retune - easy enough if the tune is in E, A, D or G, but not when it's in F or Bb or something like that. It's challenging but fun!

So I don't think there is going to be any time soon that I'm going to take the saddles off - I should have ordered a set when the guy I bought the metal ones from still had them (a couple of years ago I think). It's ok though, I'm going to use them for now and probably won't do anything unless one cracks/breaks.

(Still haven't experimented with the Fat Finger - gotta remember to do that)

Just to keep a record, mostly for myself, I played along with some O'Jays tonight - It's Your Thing, Who's That Lady, and Summer Breeze. A couple of nights ago it was parts of Soft Machine NDR Jazz Workshop, of course James Brown - Hot Pants, Cold Sweat, Escape-ism - Sister Sledge - We are Family, Chic - Good Times-  that's all I can remember for now

[sonicus]

I am excited about this Alembic Pickup and electronics modification . Congratulations !

[hieronymous]

I am excited about this Alembic Pickup and electronics modification . Congratulations !

Yeah! I'm enjoying it and excited for others to be able to upgrade from Sludgebuckers!

[hieronymous]

Been meaning to share this - it's a picture from the auction from when I got the bass back around 2009:




As you can see, it had black nylon tapewounds and a red die for the pickup selector switch. I hated that die! Wish it still had the metal cap that was stock on these but have never been able to track one down.


I feel so lucky that I had the presence of mind to save all the pictures!

[hieronymous]

I need to come up with a new name for this thing so that I don't need to type out "Alembicized fretless Guild M-85 II" each time - hmm, fretless M-85 A? AleM-85? Too bad we can't do polls here, I could have people help me decide.

Anyway, I got to take it out and play it with other people! Still haven't been able to use it with a drummer but that will happen soon! It performed great - I recorded separate tracks of it direct & mic'd with a Shure BETA52a on my GK MB-112 II (another II, though it looks like they've dropped it in their advertising) - going to play with the recording a bit and maybe post something soon.

[rv_bass]

Looks good, I’d like to hear what it sounds like!  I like AleM-85.

[edwardofhuncote]

Another vote for AleM-85. 

[hieronymous]

Yeah, I typed it (AleM-85) on twitter and it felt right!

Here's another pic from rehearsal:



And here's a link to a recording from the rehearsal: (I had posted a link but have taken it down for the time being - sorry about that everyone! Will post something again soon.)

The bass was kind of boomy in the room from the room mics, so I put a high-pass filter on those to cut the lows, then used the mic'd cab track for the bass - hopefully the bass isn't too loud lol

There is definitely one spot where I can hear my intonation is way off, I'm pretty happy with it overall though - I need to record myself playing the fretless more - gonna gig with it this Saturday!

[sonicus]

I really like that Harry ! Your playing as always is awesome and that bass sounds wonderful  ! My ears are telling me that Steve Burch is playing the Guitar . Are my ears correct ?

 Wolf ...... ( with ears perked )

[jwright9]

Sounds great. The bass has a warm and meaty tone.

[hieronymous]

I really like that Harry ! Your playing as always is awesome and that bass sounds wonderful  ! My ears are telling me that Steve Burch is playing the Guitar . Are my ears correct ?

 Wolf ...... ( with ears perked )

Good ears Wolf! We've been playing together for the past month or so - we'll see where it goes...

Sounds great. The bass has a warm and meaty tone.

Thank you! I'm pretty happy with how the BETA52A worked on the amp. In the past I've used it on the kick drum, but no drummer right now so my bass got it. Next step is to do my usual thing with the direct track - I need to put it through my F-2B - always fun to experiment!

[sonicus]

I thought so Harry . Steve is always fun to play music with . I have been playing with him as well on and off again for years . He is indeed a unique and talented musician. Harry, is the modification of this bass now complete or have you ever considered getting an Alembic bridge with brass block and tail piece installed ?
An interesting aspect on my two short scale bass's that have an Alembic bridge and tail piece is the set back location of the tail piece. On my 65 Guild Starfire  the tailpiece is set back and as well on my Alembic 73-32 . As a result both of these short scale instruments require long scale strings. I actually like that feature because I can use the same sets of strings for my long scale , medium scale and short scale instruments that way . I love that and the intonation works out swell as well because just the tailpiece location is set further down and not the bridge    Very kool !


Wolf ( who likes this bass project )

[hieronymous]

Harry, is the modification of this bass now complete or have you ever considered getting an Alembic bridge with brass block and tail piece installed ?

I don't have plans to modify the bridge at the moment. I kind of like the stock bridge with the rosewood saddles. I'm not going for huge sustain, plus I'm interested in finding out if the stock harp bridge has a noticeable impact on the sound. I do have some metal replacement saddles that I picked up along the way, may switch to those if one of the wooden ones breaks.

It might just be romanticizing wood, but it's kind of cool to think that the string is anchored by wood both at the fingerboard end as well as the bridge saddles (though of course the harp also has some metal posts).

The mod I have been fantasizing about is having Alembic replace the fingerboard and put in side LED markers! The D at the 7th fret on the G string seems to have a groove with a noticeable effect on the sustain. Also, the finish on the back of the neck is getting sticky, might be nice to get that refinished. This is a future project though, not going to happen any time soon...

Here's a shot from rehearsal last night:

[hieronymous]

Played the AleM-85 live for the first time!



Circumstances weren't ideal - only a 20 minute set, had to use the backline (looked like a Fender Rumble or something - I never got close to it, soundman plugged it in and adjusted the volume), no soundcheck to speak of, and lead guitarist was really far away and amp pointed away from us so couldn't hear him at all! But we had rehearsed the set pretty well, so I forged ahead! Not including Alembic Gatherings, I've only been able to play live in front of an audience maybe 5 times in the past 7-8 years, though I played fairly regularly in the early '90s. I remember gigs being disappointing sometimes, usually because they didn't go as well as hoped, or the circumstances weren't optimal, etc. But I basically expected everything that happened as a possibility (well, I didn't actually consider that I wouldn't be able to hear the guitarist), and somehow I was able to just play and enjoy the experience rather than dwell on the negatives.

I briefly considered taking a different bass, but ultimately went with the AleM-85, and I'm glad I did!